The American Field Service (AFS) Impact Study has documented that adolescents in AFS programs show greater increases in learning and competence than could be expected through the normal maturing process. Research findings on how people learn and under what circumstances explain why an AFS experience accelerates learning. For example, it is known that exposure to new things stimulates the senses, which in turn stimulates learning. Because of all their experiences, students become more knowledgeable about the new culture, more competent generally, and, therefore, more self-confident about taking on new challenges in the future. Seeing that people have different solutions to familiar problems, AFS students become better able to generate new options for themselves. Their broadened perspectives allow them to discover new opportunities and try new behaviors. Orientation, counseling, and support from the AFS staff helps students deal productively with the stress of the new environment and, therefore, to gain in competence and self-confidence. Experiential learning compels learners to participate directly in real-life activities and is especially effective in terms of its impact on motivation, memory, and mastery. (RM)