Studying abroad is one of the best experiences that an undergrad can have. Students who study abroad are more likely to find a job within six months of graduation and outearn those who didn't opt to go abroad by an average of $7,000 — not to mention that it's just plain fun. When your best friends are the ones booking plane tickets and planning travel destinations, though, it's a bit of a different a story.
1. When your best friend is officially accepted into their program
They've worked hard for this, and you're happy to see them go on a great adventure.
2. When you realize that this means they'll be gone for an entire semester
You suddenly realize that four and a half months is a really, really long time.
3. When the rest of your squad decides to apply at the last minute
Looks like you're going to make some new friends this semester, because the whole squad is gallivanting around Europe.
4. When you drop them off at the airport
"Are you sure I can't fit in your suitcase?"
5. When they send you casual study photos with beautiful backgrounds
Can you really focus on your essay when you're sitting on a picnic blanket beneath the Eiffel Tower? No.
5. When their classes start weeks before yours
Definitely karma.
6. ...But that means that they're finished with classes way before you are
You're barely entering the home stretch and you already think that you're going to overdose on caffeine, but they're in sweet, sweet freedom.
7. When they're having the time of their lives travelling for cheap
If they take a two-hour-long train ride, they're in the heart of Italy. If you take two-hour-long car ride, you're in the middle of a farm in a town just like yours. Did I mention that you're not even done with finals week?
9. And although you might be a little bit jealous, you're still incredibly happy for them
At the end of the day, they're your friend and you secretly love watching their daily three-minute-long Snapstories — no matter how much you miss them or how much you'd like to be anywhere but school.
10. When they finally come home
"We're gonna have a week-long sleepover, and you're gonna tell me every single thing that happened."
11. When they say, "I think I'm going to study abroad again"
