<p>Actually kathiep, yes, it's Arcadia. The spring break program (one week only) you've linked to IS for all freshmen to participate in, however there's a small percentage of incoming freshmen (10-15%) that are offered their first semester abroad. My D is among those. It's based on incoming stats, which in her case, are high(ish) for their school (but still a reach for Holyoke).</p>
<p>My D has been a traveler her whole life and began independent traveling at 15 (I have family scattered around the globe). She's heading to Israel for the first 6 weeks of summer on a study program, with a full scholarship granted by one of her employers (she works 2 jobs). </p>
<p>For her, the idea of traveling and studying abroad for the first 6 months out of high school is a huge appeal. She's not at all bothered with the concept of joining in her home campus mid-year; as she says it, there'll be friendships made with her study abroad peers and they'll have a different kind of bond and issues they can deal with together. But she adores Mt. Holyoke, and felt "at home" when we visited in Oct.</p>
<p>We'll be visiting Arcadia next week, and that should help her (or make things more difficult).</p>