ABSTRACT Little systematic research has been done regarding the effect of study abroad on American students, and few criteria for the success of programs have been established. As the director of the Millersville Year in Marburg (1963–1966), this writer took three separate polls of the participants: (1) to test the psychological impact objectively at the beginning and end of each year, (2) to register subjective impressions that surfaced at the conclusion of the program, and (3) to ascertain the students' matured views one year after their return to America. These evaluations, completed in 1967, are as meaningful now as they were then. The profession has yet to act on many of the recommendations. The students corrected their preconceived ideas of Europe; they became fluent in German and familiar with the culture; and they matured as scholars and persons. All experienced culture shock, and most became, at least temporarily, Germanophiles. The following major conclusions were drawn from this study: (1) integration into the host society should be gradual; (2) the “target‐language‐only” rule should be based on voluntary cooperation; and (3) the greatest benefits are achieved after the first five months abroad. Because study abroad could become a vital tool in furthering the study of languages and culture, more research is urgently needed.