In this study, the authors explore the impact of the study abroad experience, in general, and the impact of a curriculum intervention, in particular, on students' intercultural development, second language acquisition, and culture and language learning strategies of 86 study abroad participants from seven Minnesota colleges and universities. They describe the curriculum intervention which consists of a newly published guidebook that students are trained to use while abroad. This guidebook, "Maximizing Study Abroad: A Students' Guide to Language and Culture Strategies and Use," whose senior authors are Paige and Cohen, aims to prepare students to take advantage of the second language and intercultural learning opportunities they will find abroad. By utilizing a scientifically rigorous set of research procedures, the authors sought to ascertain the impact and efficacy of the "Students' Guide"--one of the volumes in a three-volume set of guidebooks, the "Maximizing Study Abroad Guides"--as well as to test a set of hypotheses about the learning outcomes associated with study abroad. Results show that the qualitative feedback from students about the "Students' Guide" has been highly positive, suggesting that from the student perspective, an intervention in the form of a self-access guidebook with language and culture strategy instruction can be a valuable tool for getting the most out of the study abroad experience. (Contains 3 figures and 5 tables.)