While studying at school, it is inevitable that one of your friends will either study abroad or do an internship for a semester. While this might be an exciting or possibly nerve-racking time for the person going abroad, life will continue back at the person's school. Time and distance can easily test friendships. After all, a lot can happen to a person during a semester. Sometimes, while abroad, people are in places that make it hard for them to communicate with their friends and family at home. Sometimes people are so caught up in the experience of traveling that they do not have the time or ability to stay in touch with their friends back home. In some instances, however, friends can grow significantly closer while apart with a few simple tricks.
No matter the relationship, romantic or platonic, communication is key. While someone is abroad, the person might not be able to keep in touch in traditional ways, such as texting or phone calls. This gives people a unique opportunity to communicate in other ways. Skype and FaceTime have made it easy for people to see each other through video calls. Another way of communication most people do not think of using is email. Normally students only check their emails to communicate with their professors and classmates for school work, but email can be used just as easily to talk to friends. Some might find an email to be impersonal or even awkward, but it is a great way to share a story or recap an event.
While using technology to stay in touch might be convenient, it is not always possible. During my experiences having friends study abroad, I found the best way to communicate is the handwritten letter. While it is, without a doubt, an outdated form of communication, it is an enjoyable experience sitting down to put thought and effort into a handwritten letter, sealing it, and sending it out by mail. Letters can be more than just a way for friends to talk, they can become treasured keepsakes that friends can look back on and reread. It is a unique and rewarding way to be part of the study abroad experience and to be there for friends while they are undergoing one of the most adventurous times of their lives.
The best things in life usually require the most work, but are easily worth it. By using a little creativity, being mindful of how long it's been since the last time you talked, and by making sure you are being understanding of your friends if they cannot communicate as often as you would like, the friendship can grow significantly.
