Homesickness in Japan: A 6-Step Guide for Bangladeshi Students
Yes, feeling lonely and homesick in your first six months in Japan is completely normal, and there are practical ways to handle it, most of them free. The core of it: spot the warning signs early, talk to someone quickly, and build a routine.
I've lived in Japan and guided many Bangladeshi students, and I've seen one pattern again and again. Students who stay silent suffer more. Students who talk usually come through. Here are six steps.
Step 1: Recognise where you are (cost: 0 yen, time: one week)
Almost everyone feels low in the first two or three months. The language is a wall, the food is unfamiliar, winter is arriving. But watch for these: poor sleep for more than two weeks, not wanting to go to class, losing your appetite, lying on your phone all day, avoiding people. These can be early signs of depression among Bangladesh students abroad. There's no shame in noticing them.
Step 2: Build a daily routine (cost: about 0, time: first month)
Fix your wake-up time, cooking, class, part-time shift, sleep. Walk to a nearby park in the morning light. Winter sun is short in Japan, and that alone can weigh on your mood, which many newcomers don't realise.
Step 3: Talk to your school staff (cost: 0, time: 10–30 minutes)
Most language schools have a teacher or staff member who looks after international students. Say it plainly: "I'm not sleeping and I feel low." If your Japanese is limited, use simple sentences or a translation app. Mental health support at a Japanese language school varies from school to school, so ask what yours offers.
Step 4: Find free counselling (cost: roughly 0, time: first session in 1–2 weeks)
Free counselling for foreigners in Japan exists, but it differs by city. Ask your ward or city office, or the local international exchange centre, about multilingual consultation services. Many have English interpreters, and there are national multilingual helplines too. Bangla speaking counselling in Japan is limited, so start in English and also lean on Bangladeshi seniors in your area. Hours and numbers change, so confirm before you go. If you need a psychiatrist or clinic, national health insurance usually covers about 70%, so you pay roughly 30%.
Step 5: Call home without guilt (cost: about 0 on LINE/WhatsApp, time: 2–3 times a week)
Many students think, "If I tell my parents they'll worry." I say the opposite: not telling worries them more. Pick a regular slot, say Sunday evening, remembering Japan is 3 hours ahead of Bangladesh. Share the good and the hard. Calling every single day can sometimes sharpen the ache, so find a balance. Parents, a small request: before asking about money or results, ask "Have you eaten?" That's talking to parents from Japan done well.
Step 6: Build friends and keep a realistic plan (cost: 0–3,000 yen a month, time: 3–6 months)
Join a school club, chat with coworkers, make Japanese and international friends. Bangladeshi friends are wonderful, but if you only mix with them your Japanese slows down. A clear picture of money helps too. On the cost of studying abroad, Japan is relatively affordable: a first year at a language school can total around 1.0–1.2 million yen (approximate, please confirm). Part-time work is capped at 28 hours a week, and studies come first. Understanding your student visa and how it differs from SSW and work visas takes away a lot of future fear. For scholarships abroad, see our scholarships page. Nothing is guaranteed, but it's worth trying.
When not to wait
If you ever think of harming yourself, or nothing feels okay for weeks, tell someone immediately: school staff, a friend, family back home, or an emergency line. That isn't weakness. It takes courage.
For more background, read our guide to studying in Japan after HSC and language school vs university. When you know what's waiting, the first six months feel much lighter.
I counsel students at the Inochi Global Education Institute office on Nobogram Road, Muslim Para, Barishal. If you'd like to talk before or after you leave, you can read about our study in Japan support service.
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