I will have to end my relationship with my girlfriend due to my studies, what should I do?

[Anonymous]

I'm in a relationship for 1.5 years now. We love each other, but this year, I want to travel abroad to study a masters degree, meaning that I will have to end my relationship with my girlfriend. She knows this is a big dream for me, but everytime we talk about it, she gets pretty sad, and of course, I would never want to hurt her. How can I handle this situation with her? What can I do to reduce hurting her?

[EricSummer]

How long does your master's degree take? You mean you have a bachelor's degree already and just do a year abroad now? In that case I would stay in a long-distance relationship. Now, if you study from scratch for four years it's a bit of a different story. Which one is it?

[Asker]

It's a 1.5-2 year masters degree, depending on the path I take and if it includes integrated practices

[EricSummer]

It's a bit borderline as this is the same time as your relationship lasted so far. I would go for the long-distance relationship, though. I hope it's not too far away so you can travel from time to time. For me it was between Switzerland and Wisconsin, USA, once. In the end she broke up with me after about a year, but we did not have a clear perspective to unite again in the same place.

[Asker]

Well, it is far. It's between Germany and Ecuador... I know you said in the end she broke up with you, but did it work during the time you were in a long distance relationship? Was it worth it?

[EricSummer]

It was good while it lasted. I have some fond memories of Wisconsin, too. It was not ideal that she was new in her job and could not get vacation while I was there, which gave me a bit too much time alone, but we made up for it after her work.
It can be a key watch-out to have too high expectations when you are suddenly together, but it's manageable.
It also depends how loyal you can both be. If she stays faithful to you I think it's a great sign for the future. You may stay with her for good.

[exitseven]

This really sucks. A year and a half is not forever and maybe you could try to do this long distance. It is not fun but if you have an end in sight it is doable

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[someonecute]

Is ending it the only way? Can’t you guys have long distance relationship and when you come back marry her or if you are never gonna come back settle there and call her there? Maybe I don't know

[KrakenAttackin]

She's a boat anchor. You will meet plenty of amazing women overseas.

[MeatPuppet]

Are you really in love with her if you're considering abandoning her?

[In_Trance]

So, end it and study. I don't see the issue here