Study abroad participation for US college students has been on the rise throughout the past two decades. As more US students study abroad, it is necessary to continue to explore the learning and developmental outcomes associated with these experiences and the reasons students choose to study abroad. With the increase of study abroad participation, much can be learned about the way identity is shaped by experiences abroad. As such, we examined the experiences of heritage seekers studying internationally and how having a heritage connection influenced identity salience for the participants. The research questions guiding this study were: (1) In what ways, if any, does identity salience change for students who study abroad in areas tied to their heritage? and (2) What factors, if any, influence changes in identity salience of students who study abroad in an area that is representative of their heritage?