Study abroad is often associated with second language (L2) growth and transformative experiences, yet not all L2 learners return from a sojourn abroad with the same outcomes or continue along the same trajectory over time. Drawing on data from the LANGSNAP project, a longitudinal study following English L1 learners of Spanish and French for nearly a decade, this presentation explores how individuals experience the effects of study abroad differently across time. Combining quantitative and qualitative perspectives, the talk highlights how individual differences, social engagement, and post-sojourn experiences shape long-term language development and maintenance.