America: the land of opportunity. It’s a place where dreams come true. The portions are huge, the landscapes are dramatic, and you can have burritos for breakfast. But sometimes, you just miss sticking the kettle on while rain taps at your windows.

We’re not suggesting you wallow in nostalgia here. But it’s completely normal to miss things about home when you’re away, especially if you’ve emigrated for good or you’re working abroad for a long period of time.

We asked around and here are three things Brits miss the most when living in the U.S.

What Brits Miss Most

1. Food

In our experience, Americans are a bit obsessed with the concept of a full English breakfast. (If you’ve lived in the U.S. for longer than a few months, you’ve probably had to explain this in detail to at least one of your new American friends.) But for many of us, it’s not the prospect of a blood pudding that makes us long for the motherland. Indian food, for example, is (at least in this author’s considered opinion) noticeably better back in the UK than it is in many parts of America, and it’s notoriously impossible to find a doner kebab after a night out in the U.S.

Chocolate is another big one if you have a sweet tooth. While supermarkets often have an international aisle featuring a selection of allegedly ‘British’ foods, it’s not what you’d call ‘authentic’. And Cadbury’s chocolate in the U.S. is apparently subtly different than in the UK.

When it comes to confectionery, there are also noticeable differences in food options during certain holidays throughout the year. In the run-up to Easter, for example, UK supermarket aisles are choc(k)-full of big chocolate eggs. Not so much in the USA, where the only eggs are white and in the fridge for some reason. There are easter egg hunts where children hunt plastic eggs, and even a few chocolate bunnies, but it just isn’t the same.

2. A proper cup of tea

It’s not that tea isn’t available in the U.S.—it is! It just doesn’t seem to taste quite right, even if you pay to import expensive tea bags. Is it the water? The milk? Whatever the explanation, even if the water hasn’t been warmed in the *shudder* microwave or prepared with a sprinkle of salt, the brews can feel like a pale imitation of what you’re used to at home.

Anecdotally, it seems that many Brits seem to go from drinking multiple cups of tea a day in the UK to doing the same with coffee once they get to the U.S. (Scientists need to look into this.) Electrical kettles are (famously) much less common in the U.S., and usually take longer to boil.

3. Football

These days, it’s not too hard to find the Premier League or Champions League games online or at a sports bar, but depending on what part of the U.S. you’re in, you may be watching alone or with only a few other enthusiasts. And especially if you’re on the West Coast, the time difference makes the 12.30pm (UK) kickoffs incredibly difficult to wake up for. Anything other than top-flight football has also traditionally been tricky to find, but CBS recently picked up the rights for lower-league action, so that helps.

The Emotional Impact of Homesickness

Homesickness is the brain’s way of processing the loss of familiarity and routine. Brits, in particular, can often find the transition to the U.S. deeply jarring. The subtleties of British humour, a good Sunday roast, and the reliable comfort of proper cuppa just aren’t the same across the pond.

These feelings can range from mild sadness to more intense feelings of isolation. But the important thing to remember is that homesickness usually fades with time as you begin to carve out new routines and relationships in your new surroundings.

Coping with the Transition

Adjusting to a new country doesn’t mean forgetting where you came from. Embrace your roots! Find local expat communities—like this one—where you can meet other Brits who understand what you’re going through. Even in a big, sprawling country like the U.S., you’ll be surprised at how many fellow Brits are going through the same things.

At the same time, we suggest the best way to overcome homesickness is to dive into American life. Take part in cultural traditions, whether it’s a Thanksgiving feast or joining in for a Super Bowl watch party. Building new experiences can help bridge the emotional gap between what you’ve left behind and what’s ahead.

Finding the Balance

Homesickness is a natural part of emigrating, but it can also be an opportunity for growth. Living abroad offers a unique chance to broaden your perspective and develop your sense of self. While there may be moments when you deeply miss home, it’s important to focus on the opportunities around you, from traveling to new places to meeting people from different walks of life.

In the end, it’s all about finding the balance—cherishing the best parts of home while fully embracing the possibilities of your new life in America.

A big part of that is finding your people—and we’d like to help with that!