Abroad Living Homesick Americans Live Country People Expats

Many U.S. citizens "live abroad" (live in other countries). Some live abroad for work or school, and others live abroad because they want to learn about another language or culture. Living in a foreign country is an exciting adventure, but almost everyone feels homesick during some part of the experience.

When Americans living abroad feel homesick, they often wish that they could eat "comfort foods" like their parents used to make for them when they were children. Common comfort foods are hot soups, tuna "casseroles" (baked noodles with vegetables and cheese), chocolate-chip cookies, and apple pie. The taste of comfort foods can help these people remember their homes and happy memories of their families.

Americans living abroad often meet with other "expats," (short for "expatriates"; people who are living away from their home country). Expats are different from "immigrants" because expats are only in the country temporarily, while immigrants usually commit to stay in the new country long term and adjust to life permanently.

Expats sometimes get together to "recreate" (create again) the comforts of home. In most capital cities there are clubs for the Americans who live there. These clubs often organize special events, such as "bake sales" or sales of home-baked bread and desserts that are similar to what they would eat in the U.S. These clubs also help people celebrate American holidays together. For example, many Americans living abroad celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday together in late November. This helps them feel less homesick even though they are far away from their families.