You two didn't talk about it, and that's what you need to do, sit down and talk. A break is the same thing as a break up. You're not together, and something can happen in the between. Frankly, I hate "breaks" where you're going to see if it happens again later. It's either break up now and let the other person move on, or try to stick it out. If your relationship is really solid a year shouldn't be that incredibly big of a deal.

As long as you keep some communication going it should work out, just have a long chat.

This comment is a concern to me:

"...he said he was still happy being with me just didn't feel he would be later."

What he is saying to you is that he wants to be able to date other people while you are apart. He is feeling a little guilty about it, since you made some major sacrifices to be close to him, that's why he's "super big" on being friends. I'm sure he wants you in his life, but I think when guys say stuff like that, sometimes it's because they want to feel less like a schmuck during a break-up.

I personally don't believe there is such thing as a break. Either you want to continue at the time or you don't. If he comes back later and you get back together, that is a different time and different place.

A year is a long time to me. Much can happen in that amount of time. I think you need to face the fact that he will being seeing other women during that time, as hard and hurtful as it will be, and you need to focus on yourself and staying involved with activities and people that you enjoy while he is gone. Also, although it will be difficult at first, I think you should also date while he is gone, when you are ready. It will really help you learn about yourself and define what you want.

Good luck...I know this is hard and I'm sorry.

^Agreed...if it's for a year and you to are thinking a "break," I don't really think it's that practical. Either you move on or don't really break up. Take it from me, taking a break for any long period of time is a bit of a struggle, you'll periodically if not frequently imagine that person with other people, and more than likely something will happen, be it a long date session or a one night stand. Sucks to think about but it's true many times. This may just end up going south in my opinion.

Look, the traveling for a year thing is a good excuse, but it's not why he broke up with you. He's done with the relationship. You're not the one for him, and he's not the one for you. Do not wait for him, do not try to work it out . . .just move on.

This is typical I'm not ready for committment behaviour. He 1) thinks you are awesome right now 2) wants to be "gentleman" and remain friends and 3) wants to break up.

Even though he will be travelling and it seems logical a break would work for the time being, but he's, in a mean way, keeping you around so that at the end of the year if he hasn't found anything better, he will be back with you.

I may seem cynical but this happen to me once and only one and this situation borderline resembles it. He was saying all these things that I'm just great and marriage worthy and maybe in the future we could be together and stuff but I can't deal with the seriousness of it right now. And I think 2 or 3 months later he started dating someone else and have been together for like 6-7 years now.... so I wasn't the one at all for him.

Anyways, if it is possible for you to move back home, even before the holidays, I would seriously try to do that. By you prolonging this, staying over there, have the HOLIDAYS with HIS family instead of yours, the people who truly love you, you are going to have an even bigger heartbreak later when him leaving for the year is the next day.