Reporting by Emma Dunn

A 27-year-old says her relationship with her boyfriend is still going strong despite moving across the globe to Thailand

Georgia Mann, from Sittingbourne, decided to “fulfil her dream” of moving to Asia after becoming unhappy in her sales role.

She enjoyed her first visit to Cambodia and Vietnam during a university project.

When she left uni and started working as a client services executive she said she “wasn’t very good at it”.

So she decided to leave and instead teach in Thailand which would fund her travels.

When Georgia broke the news to her boyfriend, George Keane, 26, who works in finance, he thought it would mean breaking up at first. But the pair decided to try long-distance.

Georgia loved it so much that she spent nine months in Thailand and says that it has actually strengthened their relationship.

She said: "I knew I had to get out there and do something and fulfil my dream of going to Thailand.

"I'm so glad I went. It was the best thing I have ever done.

"George knew how unhappy I was. Sometimes you have to be a bit selfish."

The couple met at university four years ago, moving in together during the pandemic, and had been together for two years when she decided to move to Thailand in October 2022.

Georgia added: "It was a difficult conversation. When I initially brought it up he said 'well, should we break up then?'.

"I said 'I'm not going to be out there forever'. It was a bold move looking back on it.

"People kept questioning it and asking what about George and I?

"I believe if it's meant to be it will be. I thought 'if I do this it's going to heal a massive part of me'.

"I didn't want to be this unhappy person in our relationship."

Georgia said the nine months in Thailand helped "push" her out of her comfort zone.

She said: "You find a different part of yourself.

"I feel since coming back I'm more of a positive person."

Georgia spent nine months in total in Thailand and had long weekends and a three-month summer break to explore in between teaching.

George was able to visit her in March 2023 but the rest of the time the pair had to battle the seven hour time difference.

Georgia said: "I think sometimes you go through difficult times and sometimes that can lead to better things.

"It can help strengthen your relationship."

Georgia says the couple now value their time together more.

She said: "In the grand scheme of things a year or a few months is not long if you're going to be with that person forever.

"It's worth taking that time out if it means a lot to you.

"You only live one life - there is a big world out there.

"Put yourself and your happiness first."