Today's interrelated and interconnected world demands that college students develop the intercultural competence to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In response to this challenge, the number of American students participating in study abroad has been increasing. Many studies shave explored the benefits of studying abroad, yet there are few qualitative studies that investigated its impact on college students' intercultural competence and personal development. This qualitative study explores the impact of a semester-long study abroad on the development of intercultural competence and personal growth of 150 college students who have studied in different countries. Findings of this study shows that study abroad may enhance intercultural competence and personal development, reflected in the participants' personal essays on their living experience. They gained a better understanding of their own and other countries' culture and cultural differences, increased their level of self-confidence, global-mindedness, patience, assertiveness, maturity, self-awareness, flexibility and adaptability.