When people imagine an Erasmus+ mobility, they often picture sunny days, exciting trips, new friendships and unforgettable experiences abroad. While all of the aforementioned is certainly true, there is another side of mobility that isn’t discussed often enough. We’re talking about the emotional adjustment students go through when seasons change and everyday life abroad starts to feel real.
At first, everything feels exciting. There’s a new city to explore, new people to meet and new routines to adapt. After the first few days or weeks, students slowly begin adapting to a completely different environment. Sometimes even the weather and shorter days affects their mood more than they expected. This is especially common during autumn and winter mobilities.
TravelEdventures has many years of working with Erasmus+ groups across Europe and we’ve seen first-hand how seasonal changes can influence students emotionally, mentally and socially during mobility experiences. Truthfully though, this is entirely normal. In many ways, learning how to adapt to these changes becomes an important part of personal growth.
The Excitement of Arrival
At the beginning of every mobility, students are usually full of energy! Everything feels new and interesting. Even ordinary things suddenly become exciting. Things like taking public transport in a new country or shopping in a foreign supermarket feels fresh and thrilling! Hearing different languages every day and discovering local food is something completely brand-new, as is walking through unfamiliar streets. During the first few heady days, adrenaline carries students through almost everything.
Students spend time taking photos, exploring the city, meeting their mentors and getting to know the other participants in their groups. Many are experiencing international travel independently for the very first time but once routines begin, reality slowly settles in.
Students start waking up early every day for internships, workshops, or project activities. They become physically tired. Some begin missing their families, friends, pets, or simply the comfort of home routines. Then, when colder weather, rain, or darker afternoons arrive, emotions can become even stronger.
Weather Really Does Affect Mood
People often underestimate how much seasonal changes influence emotions and energy levels. Students coming from sunny or warmer regions may suddenly find themselves in colder cities where daylight disappears much earlier than they’re used to. Others experience constant rain for days or temperatures they have never experienced before. At first, it doesn’t seem to matter too much but after some time away from home, the weather can easily affect
daily motivation, energy levels and even social interaction. Some students become quieter,
some feel tired more often and others become emotional or homesick
without fully understanding why. This can obviously happen to adults too; it doesn’t just affect teenagers. The difference is that students are experiencing all of this while also adapting to a new language, new responsibilities, different cultural habits and sharing accommodation with strangers. There are also professional expectations to deal with as well as life away from home. The combination of all of the above can feel overwhelming at times.
Homesickness Feels Different During Autumn and Winter
There is something about colder evenings and shorter days that naturally makes people think more about home when they’re abroad. Students often begin missing small things they never paid attention to before such as family dinners and having their own space in their own room. They miss familiar streets, friends from school, local cafés and their weekend routines. Sometimes homesickness appears unexpectedly! For example, a student might have an amazing day during their internship and still suddenly feel emotional in the evening while talking to their parents on the phone. This is one of the most important things people should understand about Erasmus+ mobility; students can be happy and homesick at the same time. Those feelings are not contradictory. In fact, learning how to process these emotions independently is part of growing up.
How Students Slowly Adapt
The beautiful thing is that students almost always find their rhythm after some time. They create new routines abroad. They might have their morning coffee before other activities or take evening walks with new friends. There could be delicious group dinners in shared apartments, or developing inside jokes during their placement… Maybe they listen to music on a bus ride home. whatever new routines students adapt, eventually, their unfamiliar environment becomes more comfortable.
Students start understanding public transport systems without thinking. They become more confident speaking English. They learn how to organise themselves better and support one another emotionally.
One thing that we always notice during mobilities is how quickly groups become close when facing challenges together. The weather may be cold outside, but friendships inside the group become warmer! Some of the strongest memories students carry home aren’t necessarily the big excursions or famous landmarks. Sometimes it’s simply laughing together during a rainy evening, or cooking dinner as a group. It might be talking late at night or supporting a friend who feels homesick. These moments create real connection.
Seasonal Changes Also Build Resilience
While seasonal adjustment can be difficult at times, it also teaches students something extremely valuable and that’s adaptability. Life will not always feel comfortable or familiar! Learning how to function in new environments, manage emotions and stay motivated despite challenges is an important life skill. Erasmus+ mobilities help students understand that they are more capable than they thought. For example. a student who was initially afraid of being abroad during winter may later realise that they successfully adapted to a new environment and made international friendships. They’ll see that they completed professional tasks, improved language skills and became more independent. That confidence stays with them long after the mobility ends. Sometimes students return home with much more than professional experience or certificates. They return stronger emotionally.
The Importance of Support During Mobility
This is why emotional wellbeing during Erasmus+ projects matters so much. Teachers, mentors, coordinators and hosting organisations all play an important role in helping students feel safe and supported during mobility. It’s the simple things that make a huge difference. For example, encouraging group activities, checking how students feel, creating a positive atmosphere, organising cultural visits and helping students maintain balance between responsibilities and free time.
Even small conversations matter because sometimes students simply need reassurance that what they are feeling is normal. Adapting to another country during darker months isn’t always easy, but it often becomes one of the experiences that helps students mature the most.
More Than Just Traveling Abroad
At the end of every mobility, students usually remember much more than the destination itself. They remember how they changed during the experience. They remember becoming more independent, more confident, more open-minded and resilient
Seasonal changes may bring emotional challenges during Erasmus+ mobility, but they also create opportunities for growth, connection and self-discovery. Possibly, this is one of the most valuable parts of studying, training, or living abroad as a young person because Erasmus+ is not only about discovering new countries. It is also about learning how to feel at home within yourself — no matter what season you are in.
Do you want to partner with a quality organisation who can help you put together life-changing Erasmus+ trips for your students? Then get in touch with our team by clicking here and we’ll look after your trips from beginning to end!