Trapped miserably in a foreign country; help?

I decided to do a study abroad program in London for a semester. I was really excited to go and I'm not usually given to homesickness or 'culture' shock, but I'm just miserable here and I want out. I have a history of depression and I feel as though I've suddenly relapsed.

Things here aren't what I expected. I've have managed to go out and make friends and do other things, but I always would rather be in my room alone eating or sleeping. I get frequent anxiety attacks, and although I've been around for weeks I still don't sleep normally. I'm just hopeless and don't know what to do.

I've spoken to my program directors and my school, but they don't really like to make concessions for people to leave early and they don't seem to care how I'm feeling. They seem almost annoyed by my request. It makes me feel even more guilty about not liking it here- everyone keeps saying "if I were you I would take advantage of this opportunity!"

I just want out! Help!

Don't call me "sweetie," and certainly do not tell me to grow up. I am mature in many ways; I just don't see the point of forcing myself to do anything that makes me terribly unhappy.

Oh, god--have I been there.
I've had to move one to Prague and once to Thailand (!) and felt the same as you for a while each time. I actually had fantasies of getting a cab and just going to the airport with the clothes on my back! I also had languages to deal with.
I would say your first order of business is to get a sleeping pill. Also maybe pick up some Xanax tabs at the pharmacy for anxiety. If you don't sleep and rest well, everything else will be off. If the weather is bad, go to a solarium twice a week, it actually helps.
If you must stick it out, make it a point not to isolate yourself in your room. I know it's easy to do, I did the same. But if you write out a little plan for your week, your more likely to stick with it. Like, Monday-movies, Tuesday-pub, Wednesday-night in, etc... a feeling of structure does make it some better even if you are going through the motions.
Also plan a little weekend away to see the countryside, something to look forward to and break up your time. Don't be afraid to go sightseeing or shopping alone, either.
These things worked for me, I had to be dragged out of Thailand kicking and screaming (lol!) 3 years after I was balled up crying on the couch, and maybe your feelings will change.
I'm sorry your not getting a lot of support and sympathy, that sucks. But you were brave and open minded enough to apply for the program, so I bet you're strong enough to see it through.
I wish you lots of luck!!

Yikes, thats scary! Can you just up and leave?

If you are a minor, talk to your parents about helping you go home. If not, pack up and catch the first flight out.

Somehow get the money and fly out of there. Work for a couple of weeks somewhere

"if I were you I would take advantage of this opportunity!"

time to grow up sweetie. just stick with it and i promise it will be the experience of a lifetime.

I got depressed when I was an exchange student in South America. Same experience. If I were you I would go to the doc and get a prescription for an anti-depressant. I did not have access to that back in 1982 and it would have made a world of difference.

As for the psychosocial issues that are causing you to feel isolated and unhappy, they may improve once your mood improves from the meds, but I honestly am not one to give advice about socializing.

Sorry, and I hope you feel better soon.

That's a real shame to be honest, you are in a very lucky position and I wish you could let yourself capitalize on it.
Everyone I know who did a semester in London (including my wife) loved it.

I'm going to have to be honest here....is it possible that you're blaming your recession into depression on being in London, when in fact you may have relapsed even if you were back at home?

hi ....
i know what u feeling like ..i can fully understand u ....i am online if u wanna talk.....not hitting on u ...just want to help...mayeb u have friends but u cant share everything with them cause u know them....open ur heart out on chat am onlien vagabondx1@yahoo.com......
AM WAITING......
dont worry

Just Leave! There aint anything they can do. Get the next flight back to your home. Life is too short to do things you don't want to do!

good luck!

I'll come and stay with you.

dont feel guilty, is not your fault, i can understand your feelings as i have depression history too. I think the environment is not suitable for you. Is better that you have your family support and for the moment, can you leave the school and go back home

look. im in the same situation. im in england n i miss america ! trust me. but just try to bare with it remember its not free lol. if it really gets to stressfull then leave girl do your thing. also try getting along with people make some friends get comfertable you know ?>

You're probably a little homesick right now. Give this study opportunity a chance. It's a once in a lifetime chance to study abroad that may never come your way again. Whenever you're feeling low just smile and remember "I am going home in exactly 98 days(or whatever), and I never have to come back here again! Stick it out and you will have a much more rewarding experience. Good luck.

Maybe there's something about your past that's uncomfortable and something in London is reminding you of it. I'd look into seeing a therapist. It all seems like it may be going back into your past. If I were you, i'd talk to a friend about it, and do things i am comfortable doing. Hold on tight, because you can do this. it will open many doors in your life. I too say you should take advantage of this. Just, try to endure this. Try your best, and talk it out. I hope what i wrote helped.

I would take a mini vacation from school for like a week, and go out and see the sights to get my mind back in shape. if that dont work, just take your losses, buy an airplane home, and get out. youll get it all fixed up with the school later. \

now, if you're really clinically depressed, such in need of meds, such as, try seeing a doctor there. you might fix yourself and finnish your semester. if that's the same thing a doctor back home is going to do to you, might as well get it done there.

I feel sad for you but I want to go to England sooo bad. My family came from there in the 1700 and I want to see it so bad. Maybe there is distant family there! LOL

i know how you feel. i spent my summer in argentina and i went to school there and it was really hard for me at first. but you have to think outside the box and be a little optimistic. dont waste your money and opt out of a bad situation. dont you want to try and make things better? if youve tried like you said, then just look at this situation from a different view. why not go on adventures and take long walks and get lost? i used to love doing that in buenos aires. why not buy a bunch of books or order some american books from online and go to a coffee place and just sit there for hours and drink coffee and read. even if you dont like coffee, its more of a look, haha. i just wouldnt want to see anyone go home so soon. wont you be disappointed in the long run? what if you dont get another chance like this? buy something colorful and just refreshing. that way, when you're feeling down, look at it and remind yourself why you did this in the first place. i dont know you but damn, id hate to find out if you went home early.

and i also know that right now you feel like a lot of people are against you or your disappointed in the answer. but when you make the decision, you'll ultimately know how you feel about that decision, so if its wrong, then change it.

I was exactly in the same situation in 1994. I didn't even speak English very well. The best is for you to balance the importance of those studies. Are they worth the sacrifices you're making? if so, maybe get a little help with medecine or better natural remedies to make you keep going for the time that abroad study is going on. I stuck to it, and not only I finished my degree, I decided to come back to live in UK and been there permanently since 1996.
PS; which country are you in?

I actually got teary eyed reading your question. I too am in a foreign country, only I am living here because I am married. I have been here three years and only been home 4 times. I know what you are feeling. I am an older adult, and I am so homesick at time and depressed. I can only imagine what you must be feeling being a young person. I could tell you to take advantage of the time you are there and see what you can see, but that is not what is your heart. I would say let your parents or family members know how you feel as this affecting your well being. Ask them to bring you home. It is a tough time and I will pray that you get back to the US soon and will be happy again. Nothing against the UK, but home is where the heart is. I know because my heart is half here and half in the US. Good Luck and God Bless.

try to find some small items to take home with you for yourself or others, and try to get some honey suckle i read that it staves off homesickness,if there's any growing nearby indulge in it's very small nectar drops by gently pulling the little middle thing up and out of it and catching the drop in your mouth, maybe even eat the flowers (but never the berries!).look up honey suckle medicinal value

hi there!

i think i ve been in a very similar situation to yours! last year i started doing a master's degree in london ( moved there from another uk university) and although i was initially very excited after sometime i ended up feeling depressed and spending most of my time alone in my room. I did consider giving up or postponing my studies at various times but eventually i stuck with it and did the best i could at the time.
Since you have a history of depression it would help you to consult a doctor the soonest possible before things get worse
Many if not all academic institutions will let you put your studies on hold if you present them with suffiecient evidence as to why you cannot continue ( doctor's paper should suffice). But do try to leave this option as your last resort and try to find ways to keep your days busy and fun so you dont loose youself in pesimistic thoughts!
best of luck

if you don't have any money, and if no one wants to help you, i would look to see where the American ambassador is. every country has one that has to do with America. if you can find where they are, go there and explain your situation to them and see if they can help you. good luck , i feel real bad for you.