Factors influencing an increase in the U.S. study abroad population in the Middle East/North Africa Abstract In the fallout of the events of September 11, 2001, both the U.S. government and public have acknowledged an immediate need for a deepening of American understanding of the people, languages, and culture of the Middle East/North Africa (MENA). One significant way in which Americans have historically gained in-depth knowledge about this region has been through participation in Study Abroad (SA) programs. Within the first decade of this century the U.S. study abroad population in the MENA has grown by over 500%. There is little literature, however, addressing the influences on SA destination choice in general and almost none analyzing SA in the MENA region. The purpose of this study is to 1) describe American students who study in the Middle East/North Africa region and 2) assess the factors which cause some study abroad students to choose this less common region rather than a more common destination. In order to investigate the motivations, attitudes, and aspects of human capital which influence study abroad destination choice, this research examines seven main factors: exposure to international issues, attitudes about national security, career intentions, language exposure, previous international travel experience, risk propensity, and scholarship support. Data from a mixed-mode survey (both online and hard-copy) was collected from 601 SA students in the MENA region and elsewhere. In addition, nearly 80 SA students in the MENA region participated in focus groups which provided deeper insight into the process of destination choice. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey and focus group data has revealed some of the factors influencing this historical growth in SA in the MENA region. MENA students differed from their counterparts in Western Europe and Australia: they had more exposure to international issues, more language experience, more government scholarships, were more interested in employment with the U.S. government, and were more concerned about the national security of the United States. The use of a theoretical model which takes into account human capital, expectancy and student choice models has shown that multiple factors need to be considered in order to understand SA destination choice. Given the increasing trend in SA programs in MENA region, this analysis provides insight into the multitude of factors which are leading students to this area of the world.