I suspect it really was homesickness, as was originally reported. Dude is probably just trying to spin it to save face. He does not want to look like he just could not cut it emotionally, and who can blame him. No 18 year old would want to look like a homesick kid.
And I'm not blaming him for being a homesick kid. I get it. I've been there.
And I'm not blaming him for being a homesick kid. I get it. I've been there.