Although I think everyone is well meaning to say that the OP probably won’t go home for those shorts breaks, it seems like committing to them for the first year may be a way to get his parents on board. My kid across the country did come home for spring break unless we were on vacation with her. Thanksgiving travel is a hassle, but it seems like Alabama is only 1 time zone away. And from the academic calendar it appears that students have the day before Thanksgiving off, so travel becomes more possible than at my D’s LAC where they have classes on Wednesday. Tickets are expensive Thanksgiving weekend, so book early if you end up at Alabama.