6 Things You Learn When Your Best Friend Lives In Another Country

Long distance relationships are hard, but multiple this by 100 and you will start to understand what it’s like to have a best friend that lives overseas. Even though my best friend is only still just a text or call away, it isn’t the same as when you can drive down the street to see them whenever you want. I live in Canada and my best friend lives in the United Kingdom, so here are six things I’ve learned (and learned to deal with) because my best friend lives so far away.

1. You Will Calculate Time Zones Like A Boss

I know the difference between my time and hers at all times. I always know when I can expect her to wake up and be around or when she will be sleeping and I have to wait for her to wake up. And she can do the same for me. Time zones are the hardest part, but also the most interesting.

2. Video Calls Are Life Savers

Skype, FaceTime, and the like? Best inventions ever. Even if I just have five minutes to talk to her, I want to be able to see her face. My best friend and I keep Skype running while we do homework just to feel as though we are in the same room and on nights that she has trouble sleeping, I keep it on all night long.

3. You’ll Get Lonely

All those cute friend dates you see online? Not even a realm of possibility. I ache to have my friend near and some of those cute Instagram worthy photos, but I also realize that our friendship is more than just posting a picture on Instagram.

4. International Mailing is Expensive

Sending a package to your international friend? Hope you have an extra $60! International mailing is extremely expensive, but also completely worth it to see my friend’s face light up with gratitude that I thought about her and love her enough to send her mail.

5. Conflicts are That Much More Difficult

Every friendship has its highs and lows, but when your friend isn’t there, it can be hard on everyone. With messages mostly text based, it can be difficult to understand some tone based nuances that only come with being in person. This leads to more arguments and a harder way to clean up those messes. Trust me, I know.

6. Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Even though she lives 5800 km away from me, I would be nothing without my best friend. I am so lucky to have met her and am able to share my life with her. I wouldn’t trade the closeness of distance for the closeness of the friendship I have with my best friend.