The transition to university life can be both exhilarating and challenging for students as they navigate new environments while maintaining connections to their roots. In Cambridge, students are encouraged to remember their hometowns and loved ones, despite the allure of their new academic surroundings. This balancing act is particularly evident among students from diverse backgrounds, who bring unique experiences to their university journey.
Maintaining contact with family is a crucial aspect of preserving one’s heritage. A recent poll conducted by Varsity revealed varied communication patterns among students, with some contacting home multiple times a day while others only do so weekly or not at all. While the highest number of respondents claimed to communicate daily, national data suggests that only 17% of parents in the UK speak with their children on a daily basis. According to a 2021 survey, 41% of parents expressed a desire for more frequent contact, and 94% preferred weekly calls.
Eve, a second-year History student from Liverpool, exemplifies the importance of maintaining ties with home. She speaks to her family every three to four days, finding comfort in these conversations. Having a distinctive Liverpool accent and culture, she feels that her heritage has become more pronounced since arriving at university. “It gives you something about you,” she remarked, noting the small number of Liverpudlian students in Cambridge. In 2024, only 7% of students admitted to Cambridge came from the North-West, compared to nearly a third from Greater London.
For international students, the distance from home can feel even greater. Choon Wee, a third-year Law student from Singapore, admits that his communication with his parents has increased as he settled into university life. Initially, he found it difficult to balance academic responsibilities with frequent contact. A survey by Sky Mobile involving 2,000 UK parents and students indicated that 46% of students cited coursework as a barrier to communication, while 26% avoided sharing stress with their families.
Despite these challenges, Choon Wee appreciates the support from his parents, particularly during difficult times. He recalls a moment when his parents were available to talk in the middle of the night in Singapore, highlighting the comforting nature of their connection. Celebrating milestones from afar, such as birthdays, presents its own difficulties. He noted, “I just watch them eat the cake” during virtual celebrations, underscoring the limitations of such interactions.
Homesickness can also be a significant emotional hurdle for many students. Choon Wee expressed that hearing his family’s voices can evoke bittersweet feelings when he is feeling vulnerable. “I do miss them admittedly when things get tough,” he explained, especially during the darker, colder months. For Eve, talking to her parents serves as a reminder of what she is working towards, even as it brings an awareness of what she is missing.
Scientific studies support these emotional connections. Research shows that hearing a loved one’s voice can increase oxytocin levels and reduce cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Eve enjoys hearing her own accent during calls, which reinforces her sense of heritage.
Some students, like Eleanor, a second-year Engineering student from Cambridge, maintain a close relationship with their families, visiting home once or twice a fortnight. She finds these trips refreshing and a way to reconnect with normal life outside the university environment. While she acknowledges that living close to home has made her less independent, she reports never experiencing significant homesickness.
The diverse community within university cities like Cambridge relies on students remembering their roots and the connections that shape their identities. By fostering relationships with loved ones, students can cultivate a stronger sense of self and purpose as they move forward in their academic and personal lives. Balancing the past with aspirations for the future will ultimately help students make meaningful progress during their time at university.
