Goodbyes are always hard, but when the goodbye is followed by five months of your best friend being in a foreign country, you feel something different from the usual goodbye. So, here is a letter to my best friend who is studying abroad this semester.

Dear World Traveler,

There will never be enough words, emotions or hugs I can give you to express how proud I am of you for embarking on this journey. I wish I could be with you every step of the way, rooting you on when you go to your first class, to talk with you when your classes are overbearing or when the weight of your homesickness breaks you down. But I can't. We have gone on so many adventures together already right here at college, but this adventure is yours.

It's hard knowing everyday I can't wake up and get coffee with you or, as much as you loved it, go homecoming dress shopping with you. I know I'll cry and want nothing more to hear your comforting words, and I know I'll be thinking about at least one of our many memories each day.

But I can wait. I'll wait to tell you about my day, about our sorority meetings, about everything. I'll bundle it all up so when you return, we can fill each other in.

You are going to make a difference in this world. I know you're scared, and that's OK. Being scared means you're chasing after the right dream, and this dream of yours has been begging to be pursued for some time now.

When you feel down, when you feel like all you want to do is come home, when you feel alone, know all of us are thinking of you. Every step you take into this new world, we are here, anxiously waiting to hear your stories. We are all supporting you, no matter how far away you may be.

I am going to miss you with all I have, and I'll be counting down the days until you're back home. But please, go out there and explore the world for me. You're a world traveler now, and not many people can say that.

I believe in you.

You can do this.

Hold on tight kiddo, because you're in for one hell of an adventure.

Much love always,

Your eagerly waiting best friend