A new semester starting means that a lot can change, and this includes friends traveling to other countries to study abroad. Before we say goodbye, here's a letter for them.

To My Friend Going Abroad,

We've both made it so far this past year and a half. Now, you are taking that giant leap across oceans and continents. You are going to experience something that is once in a lifetime. You will be living in another country for five months. I just want you to know how incredibly proud I am of you for being able to have this amazing opportunity. You have worked hard, and I’m so happy that you get this chance to see the world. I just wish I could be there with you.

I am going to miss you a lot. I am sure you know that, especially after the number of times I have already said, "don’t leave me!” I will miss our late-night talks, when we both complain about our days, or those moments where we're both so tired that we're in hysterics. I can’t imagine what it will be like when I won’t be able to barge into your room, vent about everything that went wrong, or celebrate everything that went right that day. It's still weird to me that we will be communicating through email and Skype, not face-to-face, or that we won't be together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ve created so many memories together, and now we have to create more memories through Skype calls.

Going out without you will be different and strange to me. Having to get ready without you will also be odd. I don’t know what I am going to do without you. I hope you don’t know what you are going to do without me. However, I am beyond thrilled to see all the things you will do. I will look forward to our Skype sessions where I will tell you all that has been happening here on campus, and you can tell me all the adventures you have been on while overseas. You will have the best time, and I couldn’t be more excited for you.

Just know that when you come back, we are going to spend as much time as we can together. I know you will have the best time abroad. Have fun, miss me, and come back safely. Be sure to have a drink for me if you are in a country that has a drinking age of over 18. I love you, and bon voyage!

Love,

Your Friend Who Is Stuck Here