This study aims to analyze meanings of Korean exchange students’ experiences from the
perspective of student developmental changes. The authors conducted interviews with 16
students at K university who have studied abroad at universities in the US, Canada, and
European countries as an international exchange student. The findings of the study reveals that
students participating in a student exchange program (1) broadened their eyes on different
culture and people from other countries; (2) cultivated more active learning attitudes and
confidence in speaking foreign languages; (3) underwent changes in perspectives on an
occupation and success and (4) experienced other socio-psychological developments such as a
sense of self-reliance. Both individual factors (e.g., personalities, English proficiency, pre-set
goals) and environmental factors (e.g., characteristics of people that they mingled with, an
institution, and region/ nation that they were staying seem to affect the level and condition of
college student development. Based on these results, this study suggests the following
recommendations: to facilitate more meaningful experiences and subsequent developmental
changes of participating students, universities need (1) to provide systematic preparatory
training programs for students; (2) to monitor academic and social difficulties during their stay
at foreign universities, and (3) to implement follow-up support programs after students’
returning to their home institution.