Of couse it's difficult being away from your family and friends for long periods, and it takes time to adapt tp the new culture you are liveing in. But after a while you find that you have a new home and a new set of friends, and there is no time to get homesick as there are so many new thing to discover. The other main concern is the safety aspect-it can be daunting to think that you are responsible for the safety of all the people you instruct. Luckily, everyone under my instruction has escaped unharmed-touch wood!