Studying abroad may seem like an unparalleled opportunity to learn a foreign language. Massive exposure to the language, chances for interaction with native speakers, and cultural immersion appear to create excellent conditions for language learning. Yet, most available research indicates that study abroad (SA) participants rarely achieve linguistic success. By way of contrast, the aim of the study reported below is to investigate an example of accomplishment in language learning abroad. The participant of the study is a Polish third-year student of English studies who took part in a semester-long SA programme (Erasmus+) in Turkey. The instrument used in the study is her personal narrative, specifically her language learning history which was analysed with the use of a grounded theory approach. The results of the study provide insights into which and how motivations, personality traits, and SA contexts interact resulting in successful L3 learning.