Hi Eric,
Your girlfriend sounds confused right now. I think that she is on the right path, wanting to take some time to have freedom, and decide what she wants. It shows that you care about her, to give her this time now.
I don't know that it would be fair for you to wait around till she comes back. She may
love you, but she needs to take the time to find herself right now, and that may or may not include meeting/dating others.
That old phrase, if you love someone then set it free, applies. I hope that you will be open to dating others too. I agree with the others who have written. Ending relationships can be extremely painful, but to continue in this one right now, would be only leading to more pain.