I am so touched by all the answers. Thank you for your kind words and wisdom. I will do my very best to follow them. I am just torn at moment whether to cut him out of my life or keep up the current contact we have. I saw in the tips that we need to cut contact but he still messages me, sends me gifts, and wants to be friends. I am scared on what to do next.....

As Kristen says, you're not alone in the heartbreak department. And if you love again, which I'm sure you will, you may experience it again, but, yes, the first heartbreak and betrayal are the worst--coming off the seemingly endless high of being in love and feeling you've found the one.

I don't think he's a bad person, just probably not as grown up as you would like ... handling a heart is an awesome responsibility, not something every young man is up to, at first.

I also think what you're experiencing is worse because it was not on your terms and it came out of the blue. What you need now is some closure. Why don't you write him a letter, expressing everything that is in your heart and "release him."

Even if you don't send the letter you will feel better for having gotten all those emotions out on paper.

If we had a hug, we'd send it to you.

And now, because I'm such an old movie nut and things like this always pop into my head, I'll leave you with something the wizard said to the tin man in "the wizard of oz" 'hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable' and 'A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others'

Take heart that you friends and family love you and care for you, more than you may know and realize that happiness is wherever you are.

I am so sorry you're going through this. Being in love and having a broken heart seem like the worst thing in the world when you're in the midst of it, and it seems like nothing will ever make it better. And yes, the first is always the worst.

Take heart in the fact that no one (that I know of, anyway) has had their heart broken and not come out the other side. When I was your age, I was very much in love with someone that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Similarly, I had a chance to move forward while he stayed behind. It seems like a bit of insecurity and lack of faith on your bf's part that he would pull away and start shacking up with some other girl. My gut is that he broke up with you before you could break it off with him—he probably is intimidated by the fact that you're out there, living your life, while he's trying to deal with all his own changes at home.

This time of your life should be about you pursuing your dreams and making the most of each day and the experiences it brings. That may or may not mean dating someone right now. I'd like to encourage you to find strength to stand on your own. Surround yourself with friends and positive energy. Get plugged into community—volunteer, attend religious services if that's important to you. You're so courageous to have made the choice to move halfway around the world...do you really want to spend the time you have there thinking about some guy who didn't respect you enough to be mature and talk to you rather than just walk away?

You are worth so much more than that, even if you don't believe it, I believe it for you. We're always here to help you...please come back and let us know how you're doing.