Studying abroad in a relationship- can it work?

Holaaaaa,

I am writing this on a bus (just like the old days when i used to write them on the way to school....)

I am on the way back from Toledo, a small town south of Madrid. I went with two girls from Guatemala, one of whom I am doing a 'language tandem' with, so she helps me with spanish and I help her with English. Today was a Spanish practice day, so I have been speaking spanish non-stop since 8am....my brain is frazzled and I am surprised I can write this in English...

This post is about being in a relationship whilst studying abroad. Ooooh. I remember I did one of these posts when I started Uni and for some reason it was one of my most viewed blogs! Looking back I can't believe I even did a whole blog post about essentially 'how to survive living an hour away from your boyfriend'. How easy that seems now the distance is more than 6 hours altogether...When I get back to Sheffield in September the hour distance will practically be like living next door.

Not tooooo far then...

When I first decided that I was going to study abroad around January last year, I think my boyfriend was a bit worried, shocked and in disbelief that I would ever move so far away from home. But as I started filling out forms and going to meetings (sometimes dragging him along...), it all started to seem very real. And exciting. And bloomin' scary.

I must say though I never had any doubts that we wouldn't make it through. I have friends in long distance relationships which are way further away- take England and Zimbabwe for example!!- and they are amazing at making it work. Also, my friend Rachel who I came to Madrid with has a boyfriend too (and one time they flew here together!) so being in the same boat as someone else really helps.

Obviously a lot depends on how often you will get to see each other. My boyfriend first visited after 2 weeks...which in hindsight, was too soon. Rachel and I only managed to find a house a few days before he arrived! I'm not gonna lie, I spent the first 2 days crying because he made me realise how homesick I was, and the last 2 days crying because I didn't want him to leave. And of course the dramatic goodbye in the airport with me stood there sobbing didn't help. Mainly down to be being an emotional wreck though.

If I can offer one piece of advice: don't drop them (or any of your visitors for that matter) off at the airport!!! It is traumatic!

I think it's important to settle in yourself before you have any visitors, and the same goes for starting University anywhere.

Mini hol in Valencia

Callum has since visited every month, apart from April when I went home. The time between seeing each other is 4/5 weeks, which is actually so lucky- so many other couples living in the same country don't even see each other that much.

Also, communication is a big one when you're living abroad. The timezones are only an hour apart but it does make a difference- we lead completely different lives. My boyfriend gets up at 6am for work, goes to sleep at 10pm...In Spain I get up at 8/9am (if i make it to uni...), sometimes have a siesta, and eventually sleep at 2am. Leading such different lives is hard to get used to; but like anything it just takes time. The usual things always help; a long skype chat every week, always keeping up to date with what the other person is up to, sending letters, watching TV shows together...

A lot of Erasmus students I've met in Spain are in relationships. Some of them have ended, but many have survived it- and it is totally feasible. So if you want to study abroad but you are in a relationship, please don't let it hold you back. Any half decent boyfriend/girlfriend will support you in following what you want to do. The worst thing I heard someone say as a reason for not going on Erasmus was "I'm in a relationship, so I can't". Of course, you may have doubts, but they shouldn't stop you from doing something which you are passionate about. Plus, it's fun! We have seen so many things together that we wouldn't have back at home- the Real Madrid team celebrating their Champions League win, a throwback to being 13 year olds at a Busted gig, spending Valentine's Day in the beautiful city of Valencia, eaten more paella and drank more sangria than you could ever imagine...

....Why not??

I hope you enjoyed this post!

You can vote for me as UCAS' Blogger of the Month here!

Anna x

Can relationships work at Uni?

Hiya!

I've blogged a lot about the changes which everyone goes through when going to Uni; leaving your family, your best friends (and your pets). But I realised that I've missed out one (pretty big) change...which is going to Uni when you're in a relationship.

I had mixed emotions when it dawned on me that whilst I'd be moving away to a new city, he'd be back at home carrying on with his apprenticeship. On one hand I thought OMG HOW WILL IT EVER WORK...and on the other hand I thought, you know what, whatever happens happens. Callum however took the opposite approach and refused to talk about it until pretty much the day before.

In the first few days of being here, one of the most common questions asked was "who's in a relationship?". I was hence bombarded with crazy 'facts' such as "80% of couples won't make it through University" and "9/10 couples will break up before Christmas". That was a little bit daunting but I didn't really dwell on it too much.

It's been very different to what I first thought. At first I found it difficult to manage settling in to Uni, working, socialising, seeing my friends and seeing my boyfriend. But we've been able to meet up more than what we originally decided (once every two weeks)...mainly because I always seem to 'accidentally' end up back at home. But of course, there are some negatives...it is more difficult for my boyfriend as he is back at home working whilst I'm having a brill time (and working hard too, obviously). Also with Uni being constantly busy it can be to find time to talk every day.

Overall, if you're nervous about going to University and being in a relationship at the same time, don't be! I tried to look at the positives- all the new experiences you can have exploring a new city together and showing him/her around your new home. We've had some fab days in the Peak District, exploring the city centre and Meadowhall (maybe the latter was not so fab for Callum). We've also discovered some really cool new restaurants and started cooking together when he comes to Sheffield (a spontaneous roast dinner was the BEST). There are lots of things that you can do to keep your relationship going too...watching the same TV shows (and in our case, racing to see who can finish them first. Prison Break is MY LIFE. I will definitely win) Also at the moment we're not talking at all on our phones, and instead writing letters to each other for two weeks. (Soppy I know...It's not me, honest).

How I miss sunglasses weather

And don't forget that University holidays are so long, so if you're going to be really far away from each other, it's never too long before another break where you'll both be back home.

Call me an optimist, but of COURSE relationships can work if you're at Uni. If you want to make it work then I'm sure it will :)

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Anna x

P.s the next Blogger of the Month comp has started; so you can vote here. Thank you!