Girlfriend is studying abroad?

[Brendan]

A little background- me and my girlfriend have been going out for 4 years, we have a great relationship, her family loves me, etc. She just left about a week ago to study abroad in Istanbul and London, and while I support her getting that experience, and learning about different cultures, I don't know how I feel about her having unbridled freedom in a foreign country with a mixed group of guys and girls. She has been texting me sporadically throughout her time there, and we talked on the phone once for 5 minutes. I'm really not a jealous type of person, but this is a pretty extreme situation. I also noticed via her facebook that she spends a lot of time with this one other girl and 3 guys- also the girl and two of the guys went out for drinks on her second night there. She also has seemed a little distant since she went over- My question is I am over reacting, or do I have a legitimate reason to worry?

[Harrison]

You both need to agree to have dates with others.

If it is strong, you will get back together. If it is not, it was not meant to be.

Long distance relationships rarely work, especially long term ones.

You both need freedom from ownership by someone else. You aren't married yet.

[781]

I really don't think you have any reason to worry yet. Maybe she is texting sporadically and not calling much...but it's her first week in another country! I'm sure she's busy seeing everything and trying to make new friends! If you feel that there is a 100% legitimate reason to be jealous of these guys based on her interactions with them, then maybe there's a reason. But I think she's just trying to make friends with the people she is going to be around all the time, while in a completely new place. I think that it's not her actions that have you jealous, it's that she's abroad. Think of it this way: whatever bad things she could do over there, she could do at home. Don't worry that it will change her. She's just having fun with her new friends. Relax and support her having a fun time.

[winter solstice]

You're overreacting. If I were overseas, I wouldn't be on my phone. I also wouldn't carry on a relationship either. It's like those high school sweethearts that stay together forever and miss out on the possibility of meeting someone much better in college or in another country.