<p>The situation you described is my understanding, but I’m not going abroad. ([Study</a> Abroad Billing](<a href=“http://www.wellesley.edu/OIS/billing.html]Study”>http://www.wellesley.edu/OIS/billing.html)) My friends who have gone abroad in past years (at other schools) were also responsible for plane tickets. Sometimes the families visit the student during winter break or after the term ends, or the student comes home. Said friends have also made the comment that traveling afterwards was $$$, but worth it. </p>
<p>I think many Wellesley students only go abroad for the semester (instead of the year), because it can be hard to complete the academic requirements/ preparations for the future (law/ grad/ med school).</p>