The term “long-distance relationship” generally refers to the relationship that one has with their respective significant other, but this term transcends that definition. I have quickly realized that it applies to all of your close relationships both with people at college and back home.

All of these relationships need to be maintained in some degree, and should be judged on an individual basis. For example, if I don’t talk to my parents at least once a week they begin to panic, and let their imaginations run wild with all of the possible reasons for my lack of communication. Therefore, I have developed the habit of emailing them at least once a week, as well as trying to Skype them just as frequently.

With parents out of the way, let’s turn to friends. Generally, they will be stoked to hear about your new adventures, but I love to hear about what is going on back home. Therefore, I try to ask them a lot of questions because hearing about Sunday brunch in the caf brings up odd feelings of nostalgia, and I cannot wait to hear every little detail. “They had broccoli and cheddar soup in a bread bowl?! No way!” I find there is no need to maintain constant contact with friends, but the occasionally Facebook message will suffice. Otherwise, I lose sight of my current surroundings.

I don’t want to become too involved in lives back home. At times it brings up a wave of homesickness, and I turn to isolation mode, which involves me sitting in my bed with Netflix. Everyone has those days, but there is nothing worse for homesickness than sitting in your bed alone for days, because you will push yourself to a point where nothing but home will make you feel better. When you get to this point whether it is abroad or at Dickinson, the best thing to do is look at the positives of your situation. I remember wanting nothing more than to go back, and hang out with my friends from Baltimore, but as I kept trying to live in the past I ended up missing great opportunities. Therefore, I try to remain in contact with friends, but not to the point that I miss out on what is happening here in Norwich.

All this brings me to the most difficult relationship to keep the same, the one with your significant other. It is an almost impossible situation. One of you will be in a new place having new experiences, while the other is back home in a familiar situation. I have changed since I got here, and I think many people will when they go abroad. This change can be frightening because your partner may believe that you will grow apart from them and no longer need them. Sometimes this happens, and the sooner you realize the better for both of you, but other times you push through all the hardships because you know it is worth it. You know you want to be with them, and going through the ups and downs makes your relationship stronger, because you have found out what you are willing to do for the other. It is hard, and I’d like to be able to say that it gets easier, but there is no definite solution or right answer in this situation. I have found it works to be honest and remember the good times even when the distance seems unbearable.