At home and lonely?

![CDATA[Australian migration policy encourages migrants from diverse ethnic backgrounds to settle in Australia. However cultural identities become imperative in life when individual identities are separated from it or when significant quantitative and qualitative changes occur in social networks. Despite extensive groundwork before departing to the new host country, adapting to a new language and norms can prove to be overwhelming contributing to the migrant's perceived loneliness. This study attempted to identify causes and themes of loneliness of migrant students who speak English as their second language. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the relationship between attachment styles and perceived loneliness of migrant students at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) was explored. Securely attached participants experienced lower levels of loneliness. Social isolation, language barriers, perception of racism, disruption to the 'self', lack of support services and social activities for migrant students as compared to international students at UWS and an on-going struggle to cope with new routines were identified as key issues contributing to students' perceived loneliness. The study has implications for current and future migrant students suggesting that appropriate strategies will facilitate their settlement and "reinvention" process enabling their migration experience to be less stressful and lonely.]]