The goal of this case study was to explore students' experiences in a study abroad program of the basic communication course. Thirty-six students enrolled in a study abroad program in the summer of 2023 participated in focus groups tasked to understand more about students' challenges and learning outcomes. Results from our study suggest students' significant takeaways from the study abroad experience were their personal growth through improved communication skills and cultural appreciation via expanded worldviews. The findings also suggest these students experienced challenges including language barriers and nonverbal behavioral differences as well as initial negative expectations of intercultural interactions. However, most students engaged in adaptive coping strategies (assimilating to social norms, seeking help from locals, engaging in self-deprecating humor) that helped them adjust and have positive expectancy violations. A few students engaged in maladaptive coping strategies (resisting assimilation, avoiding interactions or help-seeking) that resulted in met expectations or negative expectancy violations. Ultimately, the results suggest the value of study abroad experiences for students enrolled in the basic communication course.