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Do you tell people back home how hard it actually is?

Aisha Okonkwo 💬 Contributor
15 Jul 2026, 04:33

Everyone at home thinks I'm on a permanent holiday. When it's a rough week — the loneliness, the admin, the language wall — I find myself putting on a brave face on the phone rather than admitting it's hard, because I chose this. Do you tell people the truth, or protect them (and your pride)?

1 reply

Elena Popescu ⭐ Helpful member
15 Jul 2026, 09:15

I tell my sister the full truth and everyone else the brave-face version. Having at least one person who knows the real picture matters more than I expected.