Page 16 iGap Travel Guide 2022
P. 16
GAP Travel Overview
Experiencing diverse cultures, discovering
your interests, and finding yourself are central
assumptions with gap years. Yet, at a time where fun
and excitement are at the forefront, it can often be a
worrying element for long-distance couples who all
at once must navigate their relationship thousands
of miles apart. Despite being loaded with stigmas
and preconceptions, modern communication is
making it easier than ever for couples to spend
some time apart. With dedicated attention and
frequent lines of communication, transparency
and commitment, a long-distance relationship can
actually be rewarding, indicating that gap years do
not necessitate a breakup.
Inevitably, one of the biggest obstacles in the
process is the lack of regular physical proximity, and
this lack of intimacy can ensue a level of uncertainty
about whether it is worth maintaining. Yet, the
classic proverb ‘absence makes the heart grow
fonder’ remains pertinent to this day, and distance
actually gives the opportunity for couples to miss
and appreciate each other. This is arguably, infinitely
more special, and memorable, avoiding the common
pitfalls of stepping on each other’s toes that short-
distance relationships may have to face. When you
do see each other, it is always a special occasion as
you are able to strengthen a bond that goes beyond
physical proximity, reuniting is something to look
MAINTAINING A
LONG-DISTANCE
RELATIONSHIP
DURING YOUR
GAP YEAR
forward to, and even just having a quiet evening in
together is something worth celebrating.
That said, distance can be incredibly nerve-wracking
and frustrating, there will be nights when all you want
is to be with your partner, and there’s no denying
that this can take a toll on you emotionally, so it may
be worth assessing whether you’re ready to commit
to a long-distance relationship. Here are some of our
top tips for making the most of the good parts of the
arrangement and how to cope with the downsides.
WITH DEDICATED
ATTENTION AND FREQUENT
LINES OF COMMUNICATION,
TRANSPARENCY AND
COMMITMENT, A LONG-
DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP
CAN ACTUALLY BE
REWARDING
16
Experiencing diverse cultures, discovering
your interests, and finding yourself are central
assumptions with gap years. Yet, at a time where fun
and excitement are at the forefront, it can often be a
worrying element for long-distance couples who all
at once must navigate their relationship thousands
of miles apart. Despite being loaded with stigmas
and preconceptions, modern communication is
making it easier than ever for couples to spend
some time apart. With dedicated attention and
frequent lines of communication, transparency
and commitment, a long-distance relationship can
actually be rewarding, indicating that gap years do
not necessitate a breakup.
Inevitably, one of the biggest obstacles in the
process is the lack of regular physical proximity, and
this lack of intimacy can ensue a level of uncertainty
about whether it is worth maintaining. Yet, the
classic proverb ‘absence makes the heart grow
fonder’ remains pertinent to this day, and distance
actually gives the opportunity for couples to miss
and appreciate each other. This is arguably, infinitely
more special, and memorable, avoiding the common
pitfalls of stepping on each other’s toes that short-
distance relationships may have to face. When you
do see each other, it is always a special occasion as
you are able to strengthen a bond that goes beyond
physical proximity, reuniting is something to look
MAINTAINING A
LONG-DISTANCE
RELATIONSHIP
DURING YOUR
GAP YEAR
forward to, and even just having a quiet evening in
together is something worth celebrating.
That said, distance can be incredibly nerve-wracking
and frustrating, there will be nights when all you want
is to be with your partner, and there’s no denying
that this can take a toll on you emotionally, so it may
be worth assessing whether you’re ready to commit
to a long-distance relationship. Here are some of our
top tips for making the most of the good parts of the
arrangement and how to cope with the downsides.
WITH DEDICATED
ATTENTION AND FREQUENT
LINES OF COMMUNICATION,
TRANSPARENCY AND
COMMITMENT, A LONG-
DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP
CAN ACTUALLY BE
REWARDING
16
