I know that this topic may seem silly to some; however, to others out there, leaving someone you are dating and going abroad can be very very scary (it was for me). But this is not a reason to stay home! A long distance relationship is doable when you’re abroad. Obviously I am speaking from personal experience, so anything I say is from a 4 and a half (or currently 3 and a half month) stand point. But in this post I will give you ideas and tips of how to make a relationship work when going abroad.

The difficult thing for my boyfriend (Josh) and I was worrying we would not be able to talk as much as we are use to. One of the simplest ways to have easy communication is an internet messaging system. For example we use AIM or Windows Messenger, emails, and video chats. Skype is a very popular way of video communication but does use a lot of internet. To fix this we talk through AIM’s video links. Emails are also an easy way to communicate back and forth. Not only is getting the email kind of fun, it’s always a wonderful way to just vent about a bad day. If you can buy a cell phone when you are abroad, look into a plan so you can call internationally. Personally, buying minutes on my phone isn’t expensive and since all my friends here have the same plan we can talk to each other for free. So minutes I buy are strictly for when I call back to the states.

Josh and I were both worried him not understanding about some of the references I would talk about. For example, places I have seen, campus life, even clubs/bars that I go to. The simplest way to solve this is pictures. PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES. Take tons of them! Send them back and forth! It helps to show the other person the people your meeting so when your referencing back and forth they can at least have a clue who you mean! Also when traveling I make small videos on my camera. Not only is this great for the memories down the road it also helps him to see what I’ve seen. These two little gestures can help the person that is home feel not so left behind. It also allows the person who is abroad feel more understood. Either way it works.

GET A WEBCAM – it is cheap and easy to pack but it will become a good friend on those days where you are lonely and miss each other.

I travel a lot and it does make it harder to communicate. However, every city I go to, I will send a postcard home to Josh. This little gesture is nice because 1. Who doesn’t love getting mail? and 2. I’m excited to scrapbook all the postcards when I get home. He loves to get them and sending a 50 cent postcard every now and then will not break the bank.

I know a lot of couples that had both members, one person, are currently, or have gone abroad will tell you is “it’s not easy” and they are correct. You need to have a good communication base to have your relationship last throughout going abroad; however, it is possible! What I’m trying to say is if you are worried about going abroad and swaying back and forth about going or not, do not let being in a relationship hold you back. It is work, but a relationship is work anyways, so you might as well go abroad! I hope this has helped anyone who worries about this topic. Happy travels everyone.