Poem: Home Away From Home

Home Away From Home

Introduction

Home Away From Home is my poem written to support international students as they navigate the excitement, uncertainty and emotional challenge of studying in a new country.

It recognises that leaving home is an act of courage - one that carries hope, pride, and a longing for belonging.

The poem gently reassures students that it is natural to feel unsettled at first, and that adapting to new ways of doing things does not mean letting go of who they are, where they come from, or the traditions that shaped them.

My poem was created to encourage kindness, connection and understanding. It celebrates the richness that cultural diversity brings to a community, reminding us that when we honour our roots and welcome each other with openness, we create spaces where everyone can thrive.

Home Away From Home invites students to embrace their new environment with curiosity while knowing that their identity, heritage and lived experiences remain a source of strength - a bridge between the past they treasure, the present they are stepping into, and the person they wish to be.

Home Away From Home

Today, I am a tourist,
Stepping into the world
With a fresh pair of eyes -
Many miles from home,
Away from home.

Will you be my friend?
I ask this gently,
With hope inside me still;
For I am not run-of-the-mill,
And nothing feels complete
Until
I’ve found at least
One open heart.

And so, from the very start,
I try to make this place
Home -
Away from home.

I want to try new things,
To see what this new world brings;
Like a free bird, I will sing
Until I get the gist -
For I am a tourist,
And I will not be missed.

I look around,
And I have found
Paved with gold
The streets are not;
But they are old,
And with every smile
I walk a mile,
And step a little closer
Toward my goal.

So treat me well,
And time will tell;
For when we honour
All we are -
Our roots, our hopes,
Our guiding star -
The world becomes
A kinder new home…
A home away from home.

Adisha Kariyawasam,
04 December 2025

🌍 #InternationalStudentLife
🤝 #BelongingAndCommunity
✨ #DiversityEquityInclusion
💛 #KindnessMatters
📚 #LearningFarFromHome