@Mathmom -
If he made it through EPIC (even without Arabic) as a freshman then he is not lazy. It is an amazing program, but generally not recommended for freshman due to the heavy workload. It is usually reserved for upperclassman who have taken several IR courses already.
Students usually explore clubs/extra-curriculars and form social circles freshman year. I can see how EPIC could in effect become his extra-curricular and end up defining his social circle.
The tricky part about EPIC is that it is theme based and the theme changes every year, based on current global events. So, if one is really interested in a particular theme, then there is really only one opportunity to engage in it. I have attended some of the conferences associated with EPIC (as an alum) because the topics are so interesting.
For example, this year, the theme is Global Migration.
https://www.tuftsgloballeadership.org/programs/epiic