This paper presents results from a project investigating over ninety learners of Arabic who studied abroad in the Arab world within the last few years. It explores their linguistic and cultural experiences during their time abroad. One of the most important issues in this paper is that of the development of intercultural competence on study abroad programs. In the following pages the paper explores literature concerning study abroad programs, intercultural competence and Arabic language varieties. After a review of the literature, the methodology used in this research is included. The results of this research will then be presented followed by a discussion and implications.