How would you feel if your girlfriend/boyfriend decided to study in some other country across the ocean for a semester (5 months)?

My girlfriend pretty much thinks i'm a heartless bastard for wanting to do so and she openly wishes I'm not accepted. I'm talking here about something I've always wanted to do, something that I've made very clear from the beginning was very important for me. I've already decided to cut from two semesters abroad to one (We wouldn't have lasted for two) and she's gonna pay me a visit for a week in the middle. I'm gonna have full access to internet or the phone, so it's not like we'd have a hard time communicating.

We're like 6-7 months away from my departure and she's already telling me about it and how I "didn't even have a hard time taking that decision", which I did. It's like she blames me for pursuing a goddamn dream. As much as one could argue that my actions are egoistical, I feel that what she does is worse in pounding me with her negative attitude and trying to make me feel bad.

Anyway, just answer the question.

Oh by the way, the core of the problem is not the fear that I might cheat on her, which I won't, but rather the fact that I made the conscious decision to stay away from her on extended periods of time.

Your girlfriend is smart, You're going to be fucking foreign chicks while she's here.

Your girlfriend is smart, You're going to be fucking foreign chicks while she's here.

This is true but she's a selfish little ho for not wanting you to be a jetsetter and "learn" or whatever students abroad do. It sounds like she is not only mad about you choosing to displace yourself from her presence for such a long time but also like she does not really trust you. And why should she? I wouldn't even trust myself. But if you've had a good relationship thus far she should be supportive, ecstatic even, because you had the chance to do this kind of thing.

I went abroad during college twice, once with a boyfriend at home, once without. Both times I got screwed, layed, and fucked in the European countryside. Yes, I'd be wary of my boyfriend going for a study abroad thing.

It's really quite selfish of her to try and hold you back for her own comfort. Generally if you care about someone it's more important that they do what's right for them; you want to help them to be happy and reach their full potential, not smother them and tether them to mediocrity.

That being said, most long distance relationships don't work. But some do. Don't leave with the idea that your relationship is going to dissolve the second you're gone, but don't push to make things work if it's not working out. I'm dealing with a similar dilemma, and a friend told me to take it one day at a time and have a good attitude about it because having a negative outlook will just make it that much easier to give up the relationship.

I'm struggling with this exact same situation... Well, not quite yet. I have three more years to think about it. As amazing as these six months have gone, anything could happen in the future. Hm.

Anyway. I agree that your SO shouldn't tie you down but rather help you do what you want to do that makes you happy. At the same time, however, her concerns are valid. I don't think it's right for her to get angry and defensive about your decision to go, however. She needs to understand that it's not that you want to be away from her. That's being overly dependent and clingy in my opinion. Missing you while being happy for you for pursuing a goal is one thing; being upset with you for being away from her is something entirely different and, I think, unfair.

Correct me if I am wrong, however I am under the impression that it is not so much the girlfriend doesn't want OP to study abroad, but rather she hates the fact he seemingly made the decision to do so rather easily/without much heartache.

Hmm. Maybe if the OP would break down in front of her and cry and whine about how he won't see her for 5 months and it's tearing him apart..etc, she might feel better?

I didn't read the other replies, so I hope I'm not repeating anything.

Don't let anyone hold you back from studying abroad. I did 2 summers and a semester abroad. It's absolutely worth it.

Secondly, while you're away, prepare to be cheated on and prepare to cheat on her. It's not worth going abroad for 6 months if you're attached to someone. There's really no point trying to keep the relationship going unless you plan on marrying the girl.