In college there are many experiences you can take advantage of, like studying abroad. To my two beautiful best friends that are abroad now. I love you, but please don’t ever leave me for this long again. Here are five feelings I have towards this experience.

Excitement

If you like the idea of adventure and independence (like me), you’re super excited that your best friend is going to venture off into the world--even though it’s without you.

Confusion

There she goes--off to another continent to explore all that is new, exciting and different. And yet, there you are--perplexed because you’re not really sure how you’re going to manage the semester without being able to talk to her every second of the day. Side note: the free texting apps are tragic.

Anxiety (separation anxiety to be exact.)

It’s been a solid two weeks now and all you can think is “Why did she leave me here with these people?” It feels like the end all and you find yourself looking through old photographs of the two of you just sitting there reminiscing like a mom who sends her kid off to school for the first time. Another side note: Friendships do in fact feel like relationships sometimes.

Jealousy

You know what they say, jealousy is just love and hate at the same time. Love you and that you’re abroad and seeing all these cool, insightful new things, places, and people. Hate that you’re doing it without me because I would trade in all my meal swipes and coffees just to be there with you discovering and embodying the countries’ culture.

Joy

No more Instagrams with elephants in Africa, or rides in the Venice Gondola. It’s finally time for them to come home and you couldn’t be more jazzed that they’re yours for the summer.