There’s no problem with staying over breaks. Int’l students on visas generally don’t go home at all over breaks or summer, in my experience. It’s just too expensive. My nephew (int’l student on study visa) has seen his family once in six years. Maybe students from closer countries go home – Mexico or France, say – but for much of the world, tickets are pricey, it’s a long trip, etc. We’re US citizens overseas and when my son goes to college, he’ll come home once a year. He has asked about bringing the dog. (The answer is sorry but no. She’d move back to the States with us, of course, but right now she’s happy where she is. Fortunately she barks very well through Skype. )