Recently I’ve been looking for internships for the coming summer and none are available in my home state due to the pandemic. My only option for in-state would be to work for the State Parks like I have for the past two summers, but I’d like to do something different that is geared more towards my career field (fish and wildlife biology). This summer is also the last summer before I graduate and I feel like I need something more on my resume for grad school applications.

What I’ve found that is available for college students like me are a few different undergraduate research internships through the National Science Foundation and take 9-10 weeks or about two months.

When I talked to my boyfriend about it he wasn’t very happy and said that he would be sad and lonely if I left him for two months. Of course I would still call and message him, but I would only be in my home state for about a month this summer. He’s been in a similar situation before where a girl went on an internship all summer long, but told him that she cared more about the internship than spending time with him. I’ve told him that I still value our relationship just the same no matter where I am or how long we’re apart.

Last night I got really upset because he sounded like he was unsure if he would still trust me while I’m gone because he thinks I’m choosing work over him. I mentioned to him that my parents could take him to come see me because one of the internships is close to where I have some extended family, but he kinda shot that down. I’m lost on what I should do and whether or not my boyfriend will support my career choices long term.

Also, we have been together for over a year so I didn’t think that two months would be a very long time, but it is to him.

Update!

I thought it was time to update for everyone who has commented. I haven’t been on here in several months, but I really appreciate everyone’s kind words.

I went to South Dakota the whole summer and had the time of my life! I learned a lot and had a lot of fun going on adventures on my days off. I made some great connections and memories to last a lifetime.

My boyfriend and I made it through. We had a few moments where things got hard, but we made it through. When I got home it was like no time at all had passed and I think it made our relationship stronger :)