Long-distance relationships are difficult but can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you return home to your partner after studying abroad. Think about being able to remember your time apart and knowing that your love was strong enough to survive. Honesty and transparency about your feelings will prevent a cold environment from building up where resentments develop, something that will only damage your relationship in the long run. For some reason, most relationships don't go all the way when a person is studying abroad, according to a University Post survey.
While being physically separated from each other and having an evolving sense of self and priorities means that the dynamics of your relationship will change, it's also true that as long as you strive to communicate and be honest with each other, your relationship will not only remain intact, but will even strengthen when you return home. Distance has always been commonplace in my relationship with Ben, as he lives in Switzerland when it's not teaching time. It's not easy to maintain an international relationship at a distance, especially if one of you is busy studying abroad and the other is at home. The idea of having an extended period of time away from each other can seem like the end of the world when, in reality, you feel the anxiety that this will be a test for the relationship that will make it succeed or break.
As long as you trust that your partner doesn't dishonor your relationship, respect their time, their decisions, and their changing priorities, and openly communicate any feelings, desires, or problems, you should be able to have a happy and satisfying relationship even while studying abroad. What I hadn't planned on was to have a serious relationship when it came time to pack my bags and leave. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to grow as a person, so your relationship will also need to grow. If you're in a loving relationship, know that you don't actually need to break up with your partner just because you're moving abroad to study.
It's important to be honest and trust each other when it comes to an international long-distance relationship. If you're in a committed relationship while studying abroad, here are some tips for long-distance relationships in college that can help you keep your relationship successful. The freshest relationship is someone you meet at the start of the first year and you have a whirlwind romance before it fizzles out before the semester is over. Reframe your perspective; instead of distance separating the two of you, imagine that through this experience, your relationship will grow stronger.
Arriving in Norway this week to visit him, these are the things I've learned so far about how to maintain a happy long-distance relationship when you study abroad. On the other hand, you'll also have to invest in your relationship and gain the trust of your partner.
