S1 worked in other cities every summer during college. He picked up fairly cheap summer sublets, so it was a break from the dorms. He handled it very well, somewhat to my surprise. He tends to be the absent minded professor sort, so it was welcome to see that he arranged sublets and logistics on his own. Also helped that he had well paying internships that enabled him to cover his expenses.
I was a little traumatized that first summer, too. 
My kid’s first summer led to a second summer where she got to be more in charge of a research project, and eventually to presenting at a conference. The prof she worked for is also a great reference for her, even though she eventually switched majors. It was worth it in my kid’s case.