You know, in any other first world country, you two would be considered long-term partners, not "boyfriend and girlfriend" since you've been together for so long and lived together. Whether or not to get married could still be an issue, but you'd be in a position of more strength than being a girlfriend.

I suppose I'm trying to get you to feel more confident.

I would work on your degree and try to stay calm. You might want to see a therapist or someone to talk to about all this. Living in a different place from the person you love is so difficult.