Learning languages in their natural environments has often been an enticing experience upon which all serious learners of a second language embarked. Research results are not conclusive as to the language and cultural gains that learners achieve from intensive summer programs abroad. This investigation studied the impact that study abroad (SA) had on student achievement in listening, speaking, reading and writing. A mixed-method approach was used including descriptive and inferential statistics, and semi-structured interviews. The study population included 60 learners who studied Arabic for a period of 8 weeks at Al-Akhawayn University intensive summer program. To measure the progress of the learners in listening and speaking, reading and writing, students took a proficiency-based test and an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) test prior to and after the end of the two sessions of this program. The results of the study revealed that short-term SA programs are beneficial to student Arabic language learning. The study also revealed that, often, learners embark on their SA without the necessary skills to speak Arabic being it MSA or the spoken varieties. However, the participants in this study made linguistic and cultural gains and became aware of issues that would support future learning of the language and the culture.