Like any other relation, friendships are exposed to external pressures from outside sources. In chapter 10 (p.266), Julia Wood sums up these external pressures into three categories: competing demands, personal changes and geographic distance.Studying abroad is an experience acting as external pressure on my relations with my friends. In this case, it is mostly connected with geographic distance. As Julia Wood recalls, most people have faced distance in some of their relationships. But it’s the level of commitment that will set if the relation will survive or not. But it may also depend on socioeconomic factors (it takes time and money to visit a friend that is away!). To keep in touch with my best friend (see the picture of us beside) and not loose all the time and memories invest in our friendship, we try to chat everyday or two. Sometimes it’s really quick, almost just the ‘’headlines’’ of our respective life. However, even though we’re thousands miles away, I feel like she’s just next door. This is really important to me, because I can still feel close to her and know what’s going on in her life. At the meantime this helped me to enjoy fully my trip, since I know she’s doing fine. She’s also a doing the bridge between me and my other friends. She keeps them aware of my abroad experience as well as she feeds me with important things going on in my other friends’ life (love, school, work, etc.). Sometimes I feel far away, but I make an effort to share my experiences and thoughts because I know investment is the best way to feel close again. I’ve been here for almost 3 months and I believe things didn’t change between us.
One of the things my friends studying here with me and I are doing to keep in touch with people back in Quebec, is writing a blog on our Californian Exchange. On this blog, we share thoughts, facts and pictures of our lives in here. People seem to appreciate it because they often give us feedback on how they feel about our posts and also comment our beautiful pictures. Some people told me they almost feel like they’re part of the trip when looking at our blog and pictures.
Here’s the link of Eat.Pray.Surf (blog) if you want to take a sneak peak of it!
Plus, I found this video of Gossip – Love Long Distance, in which the girl is complaining about her boyfriend lack of investment and commitment since they’re apart. She’s feeling like the relation is falling apart because of the geographic distance: ''love long distance is testing me, trying my patience, I need more of your assistance now''.
I think it's a very good thing that you and your friend are still very close despite the distance. Social networks and Skype really help me to keep in touch with my particular others in Quebec too!
RépondreSupprimerI found an interesting article regarding long distance romantic relationship called ``How to make a long distance relationship work``. As you know, geographic distance can also have an impact on couples! It gives some guidelines to maintain closeness with our partner and to survive the distance. The steps include communicate in some way everyday, do original things together, take advantage of the benefits a long distance relationship offers, pursue common interests, and try challenging the other. Have a look at it! :)
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Long-Distance-Relationship-Work
In the video following the article you shared, it says that ''couples in long-distance relationships are no more likely to cheat than those who aren't''. I think this is very interesting and also surprising! At the same time, it shows that long-distance relationships are possible! We actually do both great with that little inconvenience. ;)
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