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I studied in Rome during my Junior year. It was an amazing academic and social experience, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I did have to sacrifice the chapter presidency, but I would have gladly traded that drama for the things I got to do. Besides, my roomie was an Alpha Phi, we had DPhiE, KKG, and DG, AKA, and DKE represented--so if I ever felt like I was missing out, I could talk to other people about it. My chapter was used to sisters spending the semester or year abroad--so everyone was used to it.
As for the significant other--it depends on how well you handle distance in the first place. If you're a new couple, or one of those that are joined at the hip in that college way, it might be a problem. If you're an established couple and he's going to come visit, then it won't be as bad. One of my best friend's boyfriends told her straight up a month before she left that he wanted to break up with her when she went abroad. They struggled with the LD thing, but just couldn't hack it. We were able to deal with it pretty well--he came to visit for Spring Break and we talked maybe 2-3 times a week.
There's so much to do, really, that it's easy for you to not miss your old life as much as you do in the beginning.
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