Home Sickness Hits Hard

I've been here for over two months now, but the feeling of missing home doesn't seem to be fading. Every time I walk by that old oak tree in front of my dormitory, which seems so stark and lifeless compared to our family's yard back home, it hits me like a slap in the face. The nostalgia is suffocating; every little noise triggers memories of laughter shared with my siblings and parents over silly jokes or quiet evenings reading alone by a window looking out onto the neighborhood I've known since childhood. I keep trying to convince myself that this is all part of growing up, but there are moments when it feels more like running away from something precious. I have days where every interaction with my new friends feels hollow, like we're speaking different languages, no matter how hard I try to connect. It's a strange sensation, feeling both excited about the future and terrified of losing myself in this big world.