Hello DairyFreeChocolate,
I'm in Massachusetts and have grown semps in pots and planters for years, they live outside all year long. On sunny mornings in winter (such as today 01/21/2020) I sit outside on my deck for a hot cup of tea (yes, only 11F this morning, LOL) and observe some of my potted semps that I have on the deck, they're happily frozen with rosettes hunkered down for the winter. Good luck with your semester abroad.
