<p>My daughter is from NY, and this year she came home for the week after interim. It was a little tough, because she missed spending 4 extra weeks with her home-town friends, and when she came back for a week after interim, they had all left again for college. It worked out, though, because she was ready to get back to college!</p>
<p>My daughter stayed for the shorter breaks, but she knows many OOS students who went home. Some OOS students also visit their roommates or other relatives close by, go camping (if the weather is good), or take other short trips in the area.</p>
<p>I don’t think the interim trips abroad officially make use of that extra week, but I believe that lots of students extend their stay on their own. They would be responsible for their own expenses during that week, but since the airfare is already taken care of (and since you are already halfway around the world!) it’s a perfect time to travel.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>