[Ringle] What’s the Opposite of Homesickness? Feeling fernweh

 What’s the Opposite of Homesickness? 

 Feeling fernweh 

 

Updated: 2024.01.25

3 min read · Intermediate

It seems that most college students, in the first few weeks or even months of their first year, are overcome by fierce homesickness, or what the Germans call heimweh; I know I was. I missed my friends, family, cats, and the familiar sights to which I had spent 18 years growing accustomed. Eventually, I got over my heimweh, and sailed smoothly for the rest of my undergraduate days.

Several years later, I traveled abroad to Europe for the first time, and rather than experiencing heimweh, I was instead overwhelmed by another German expression: fernweh. Meaning “wanderlust” or “farsickness,” fernweh refers to a desire to travel, and a longing for faraway places. I hadn’t even returned from Europe when I began dreading my return to the States, because the people I met and places I saw across the pond blew away [1] any expectations I had before my travels. I never wanted to leave; I wished to keep exploring.

It was totally jarring [2] experiencing fernweh. I was halfway through my trip, and realized that I wanted, or more like needed, to stay longer, perhaps indefinitely. In a particularly striking moment, I found myself spontaneously researching the cost of flying my cats overseas, and taking a keen [3] interest in the “FOR HIRE” signs I saw at various establishments.

I didn’t know how to describe what I felt, or why. It seemed that just suddenly, I wanted to start life anew, plant roots in untapped [4] soil. The idea of starting a radically new chapter of my life, away from all of the securities of my normal one, was massively exciting. Each day would be a new adventure, where I’d meet new people, see new places, try new foods, and learn even more about a new culture. All this newness, what’s unknown, inspired my fernweh, my longing for something distant.

Now, as I’ve settled back into my daily routines, and visit the same restaurants and lookouts I’ve known since birth, my fernweh is even stronger. Sure, I am perhaps most comfortable at home, where I know the traffic patterns, people’s temperaments, and best eats. But there’s a certain dissatisfaction in that security—sometimes, comfort is boring, and what is uncomfortable or unknown, what is fernweh, is more appealing.

 

https://youtu.be/zi9KH-VBNkU?si=gSs92U-sWRzWTjIF

 

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200323-the-travel-ache-you-cant-translate

The travel 'ache' you can’t translate

 

https://www.npr.org/2018/04/17/603351981/fantasy-and-childlike-wonder-are-among-common-themes-in-places-people-long-for

Fantasy And Childlike Wonder Are Among Common Themes In Places People Long For

 

Q1. In your own words, please briefly summarize the article.
A1. People often feel homesickness, when they are far from hometown. But, People sometimes feel opposite of homesickness. It is a feeling that a longing for faraway or desire to travel. 
R1. The article discusses the concept of "fernweh," which is the opposite of homesickness. It's a longing for distant places and a desire to travel, contrasting with the feeling of missing one's home.
Q2. Have you ever experienced fernweh? What was that experience like?
A2. I'm feeling 'fernweh' right now. I felt this feeling since I've got a job. I stared to work, I feel sometimes some desire to travel to anywhere. Cause I feel stuffy and bored at work.
R2. I am experiencing 'fernweh' right now. I've been feeling this way since I started working because I sometimes desire to travel anywhere to break the monotony and boredom of my job.
Q3. How about homesickness? Have you ever felt it, and how long did it take to overcome?
A3. When I was in college, I lived in a dorm. So I needed to separate from my home. But I didn't feel homesickness. Cause I felt exciting about new people, places and environments.
R3. When I was in college and living in a dorm, I didn't feel homesickness. I was excited about meeting new people, exploring new places, and experiencing different environments.
Q4. Have you ever lived in another country? If not, have you ever thought about moving?
A4. I haven't lived abroad. I just traveled to some countries. mostly asia and US. And I've thought about living abroad for a longtime. I recently searched about working holidays or studying abroad. But I have no courage.  If I would get any chance, I hope to live in another country someday.
R4. I haven't lived abroad, but I have traveled to several countries, mostly in Asia and the US. I've been considering the possibility of living abroad for a while, and I've recently looked into working holidays or studying abroad. However, I haven't mustered the courage to make the move yet. If the opportunity arises, I hope to live in another country someday.
Q5. Do you thier traveling? Explain.
A5. I love traveling. Because I enjoy something new and exotic. The most greatest thing is that traveling makes me opened. When I trvavel, I try to experience more and think newly.
R5. I absolutely love traveling because it exposes me to new and exotic experiences. What I enjoy most is that traveling opens my mind. When I travel, I make an effort to embrace new things and think differently.
Q6. What is the favorite place you’ve visited?
A6. I  recently traveled to Kravi in Thiland. That was for vacation at the end of last year. The most memorable part was visiting Railay lagoon. The lagoon is known for stunning Cliffs and peaceful beaches. And I had a wonderful experiences swimming there. Krabi was the most beautiful place I've ever seen with my own eyes.
R6. My recent trip to Krabi, Thailand stands out as my favorite. I visited Railay Lagoon, known for its stunning cliffs and serene beaches, and had a wonderful time swimming there. Krabi was the most beautiful place I've ever seen with my own eyes.
Q7. What countries are on your travel bucket list?
A7. Spain and some coutries in south america. Because I like Espanyol culture. I love thier passion and vibe.
R7. Spain and some countries in South America are on my travel bucket list. I'm drawn to Spanish culture and its passionate vibe, which is why I want to explore these regions.
Q8. Do you think that people should travel to another country at least once in their life?
A8. Yes, I do. Because traveling can give us many different things. Traveling give us something different point of view. And I believe that can change people. 
R8. Yes, I do. Traveling can offer diverse perspectives and has the potential to transform people's outlook on life. It broadens horizons and fosters personal growth.

 

✏️ Tutor's Editing Place

 

I feeling this since I started working because I feel boredom of my work life so what I'm working at the office I feel to go anywhere so this article capture my mind. Because I'm unsatisfied with my job, my job is so strict and my bosses are kind of bossy. End of last years I had a vacation for a week so I traveled to Thailand. I always want to go abroad. So I'm experiencing fernweh always.

Because I'm unsatisfied with my job, my job is so strict and my bosses are kind of bossy.

   ⮕ My job pushes me to want to escape reality.

I always want to go abroad. So I'm experiencing fernweh always.

   ⮕ I have a very adventurous spirit. I have a natural inclination towards traveling.I want to explore the world.

 

Because I think older people don't want something new because they already know there's one way to live so but young people like you and me always have a desire to explore something new or something new want to experience new environment so that's the difference between them.

Because I think older people don't want something new because they already know there's one way to live

   ⮕ Older people are more tied down by children or family responsibilities.

   ⮕ Older people are more accustomed to their way of life.

   ⮕ Older people are more settled down.

   ⮕ Older people like to stay in their comfort zone.

Because I think older people don't want something new because they already know there's one way to live so but young people like you and me always have a desire to explore something new or something new want to experience new environment so that's the difference between them.

   ⮕ On the one hand, older people like to stay settled down,

   ⮕ but on the other hand, younger people are more bold in how they live their life.

bold

   ⮕ (1) adventurous or crazy, something people will remember

   ⮕ (2) bald = no hair

 

I haven't lived abroad but I have trouble to some countries mostly in Asia in last year I traveled to U.S. and then I've been thought living abroad. So I searched about working holidays and studying abroad. I don't have specific location but I just I like living abroad. I have some dream. Because of my job my career because if I will live abroad my career will pit.

I haven't lived abroad but I have trouble to some countries mostly in Asia in last year I traveled to U.S. and then I've been thought living abroad.

   ⮕ I've never lived abroad but it's been on my mind for a while now.

So I searched about working holidays and studying abroad.

   ⮕ I have done some research on study abroad opportunity.

I don't have specific location but I just I like living abroad. I have some dream.

   ⮕ I sometimes daydream about living abroad.

 

I mentioned that last year I traveled to Krabi in Thailand. It is known for beautiful cliff and peaceful beach. This site is the most beautiful nature that I've ever seen with my own eyes. It was perfect holidays for me. My flight hours may be five hours. When I was college, I traveled to Kota Kinabalu is known for very beautiful sunsets. I want to go to South America because I enjoy watching dramas and enjoy their life and cultures. I prefer to nature than city because I'm in the city already so I see many tall buildings every day so I'm sick of them.

It is known for beautiful cliff and peaceful beach.

   ⮕ It was very scenic.

   ⮕ The views and scenery were outstanding.

   ⮕ It was one of a kind.

I prefer to nature than city because I'm in the city already so I see many tall buildings every day so I'm sick of them.

   ⮕ I'm more interested in going to places with rich nature rather than big cities.

tall buildings

   ⮕ skyscrapers

 

When I was in college I lived in a dorm so I needed to separate from my home but I didn't feel home sickness because I was so excited because I met new people and i experienced new culture in college so I'm so enjoyed the new environment so I didn't feel homesickness. It's far from just two hours because Korea is very small country.

I didn't feel home sickness because I was so excited because I met new people and i experienced new culture in college

   ⮕ I was distracted by my new social circle.

It's far from just two hours

   ⮕ It was a two hour commute.

 

Yeah because I never had this feeling because I'm in college that was the only time I separated my parents but I'm already separate from my parents so I didn't feel that feeling anymore.

I separated my parents

   ⮕ It was easy for me to leave the nest. When I left for college, my mum experienced empty nest syndrome.

 

I believe traveling makes people open their mind so when I travel I try to experience more and think differently so I love traveling. Because some people don't like something new or exotic because that makes this people feel overwhelmed.

I believe traveling makes people open their mind so when I travel I try to experience more and think differently so I love traveling.

   ⮕ Traveling makes people open-minded and widens people's perspectives.

 

I don't have children but if I have a children if I have my kid I also don't feel like going abroad becase it's very challenging because kids always need many stuff but I prefer to something simple. I think the most item to travel are just passport, my phone, and credit card.

I think the most item to travel are just passport, my phone, and credit card.

   ⮕ Backpacking = when you fill a backpack with clothes, money, etc. and you leave for months or years to a continent.

I don't have children but if I have a children if I have my kid I also don't feel like going abroad because it's very challenging

   ⮕ If I did have children, I would find it very challenging. Children are very demanding and high-maintenance.