Your guide for long-distance friendships

Because “I miss you” texts aren’t enough

Summer break hits different. One day you’re hanging out with your friends every day—sharing snacks, laughing in class and venting about group projects. The next? Everyone’s back in their own cities, working internships or stuck on family vacations with bad Wi-Fi.

This shift can hit even harder if you’re an international student. You might not just be in different cities—you’re in different time zones and countries.

Friends who were once a hallway away are now living across the world. And while everyone promises to “stay in touch,” life gets busy fast.

But staying close with your people doesn’t have to be impossible. With a little creativity (and a decent Wi-Fi signal), there are so many ways to keep in touch and even grow closer over the summer.

Whether your friendship spans provinces or oceans, these ideas are for keeping the vibes alive across the distance.

Plan regular FaceTime sessions

A woman is talking to someone on FaceTime and sending a flying kiss. — *Via GIPHY*

We’re all tired and life can get pretty hectic. But seeing your friend’s face (even if you’re both half-asleep and barely awake) is way different than just texting “wyd.” It adds a real connection that texts can’t quite capture.

Try setting up regular FaceTime calls every week or every couple of weeks. Think of it like a virtual coffee date, a vent session or that silly moment where you need to show off your outfit—even if you’re not actually going anywhere.

If you’re up for it, add fun themes like movie trivia nights or virtual cooking sessions. The goal is to break the silence and keep things light and enjoyable.

Even if you only chat for 20 minutes, these calls help keep your friendship grounded, real and alive—no matter how far apart you are.

Start a virtual book club

A man is saying the words, "IT'S A BOOK CLUB!" — *Via GIPHY*

Okay, hear me out, book clubs aren’t just for retired English teachers.

Pick a short, fun book—a rom-com, a fast-paced thriller or even a graphic novel. Just read a few chapters each week, then catch up with your friend on Zoom, FaceTime or even through voice notes to talk about what you’ve read.

Using free apps like Goodreads or a shared Google Doc lets you both keep track of the book and share your thoughts anytime. For e-books, check out Libby, where you can instantly borrow most books online at no cost.

This shared experience gives you more to talk about than just “wyd” or “how’s the weather?” You’ll laugh at funny characters or play detective together to figure out plot twists.

It’s a natural way to stay connected and keeps your conversations fresh.

Plus, reading literally makes you smarter while you have fun.

Create a shared summer playlist

A man is listening to music with headphones on. — *Via GIPHY*

Music has serious bonding power. Create a collaborative playlist on Spotify or Apple Music and start adding songs that remind you of each other, your school memories or just match the summer vibe.

Make it funny or weird. Name it something like “Songs to cry-dance to” or “Vibing together from miles away.”

You can even pick a theme like road trip jams, late-night lo-fi or heavy metal—whatever matches your mood.

Listening to the same songs helps you feel more connected, even if you’re not in the same room. Plus, it’s always fun to open the playlist and see what strange banger your friend added at 2 a.m.

Watch movies or shows together

An animated penguin is eating popcorn at a movie theatre. — *Via GIPHY*

You don’t have to give up your weekly Netflix nights just because you’re in different places. Thanks to apps like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) and Disney+ GroupWatch, which let you watch your favorite shows and movies together in real time.

Pick something to binge or plan a theme night—like bad reality TV, throwback rom-coms or childhood classics.

Teleparty even lets you chat while you watch, so it feels like you’re right there on the couch together, yelling at plot holes and overanalyzing every scene.

For some extra fun, keep a movie review journal on Notion or Google Docs. Rate what you watch and swap your thoughts.

Play games online

A man is holding a game controller and we see the word, "GAMING" in bold letters. — *Via GIPHY*

Sometimes, nothing beats some lighthearted competition or silly fun to keep the bond alive.

Try games like Gartic Phone, a hilarious mix of drawing and guessing that always leads to laughs. Or hop into Among Us to team up (or trick!) each other in space.

If you’re into trivia, Skribbl.io is an easy-to-learn drawing game that’s perfect for quick rounds. For classic board game vibes, Codenames Online is a great pick, too.

Most of these games are free or low-cost and work well even on phones or laptops, making them perfect for catching up no matter where you are.

It’s the little things that matter

Two men are dapping up and the words, “FRIENDS FOR LIFE” are written at the bottom. — *Via GIPHY*

Long-distance friendships can be a bit of a puzzle, but they’re absolutely worth the effort. The truth is, staying close with people who matter to you takes intention—even when you’re busy, far apart or just exhausted from being a human.

The good news? You don’t have to do anything huge. A shared playlist, a funny photo or ten minutes of FaceTime can go a long way.

And the best part? When you finally see each other again, it’ll feel like no time passed at all—because you never stopped showing up.

Miles don’t matter when the connection is real!

How do you stay connected with your long-distance friends? Tag us @shareignite—we’d love to hear your tips!

Feature image courtesy of LinkedIn Sales Solutions via Unsplash

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