To answer it simply ofcourse it can work!
I really believe in our fate being decided already and if its meant to happen it will! No matter how hard you try you can't change that!
Don't beat yourself over the head, you're fine! I actually admire that you have a plan and have goals, its the only way you'll get somewhere! So I say keep focused on your plans and see what he decides to do. He will miss out on a wonderful relationship if he decides to not keep in touch/not come back to the US. It will be his loss.
My last post got herrendously
long and I forgot to mention that I was in a long distance relationship myself. I met him in high school, went off to college, but the college was 50 miles so I saw him over the weekends! Then we decided to take a break, he moved to Texas and I stayed in California. We both loved each other (It was my first love, so you can imagine it was hard for me) but weren't sure if we wanted to be together for the rest of our lives together. I accepted it overtime and actually started enjoying being single and hanging out with my friends. He called me out of the blue a year and a half later, good thing I still had my same cell phone number! He missed me and wanted to see me and ofcourse I missed him too. So we decided that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and if you really care about someone and they care about you, don't mess it up. We decided to do it right this time, got married and have been happily ever since
So maybe my story itself is a lesson for you.
Take it how you want, just thought I share.
I like your straight forward attitude, this is exactly how I am
Good luck to you and keep us updated.