College-level study abroad participation has been shown to positively influence a range of student outcomes including GPA, graduation rates, cultural competence, cultural capital acquisition, as well as, students' leadership skills. However, the influence of study abroad at the high school programs have mostly gone unresearched. The study abroad experience has largely been reserved for the White, economically privileged students, which makes access to study abroad experiences an issue of educational equity. In this qualitative case study, 14 high school alumni from a northeastern urban high school were interviewed to better understand the experiences of underrepresented high school students after participating in a study abroad experience. Data collection also included a focus group, an audio observation of a student podcast, as well as a document analysis of student travel blogs. This study examined how underrepresented alumni who participated in study abroad while in high school perceived the experience to have influenced their leadership skills, cultural competence, and, aspects of cultural capital, as well as how they believe the experience has influenced their career, educational, and recreational choices and their thinking around these areas. The findings show that studying abroad did influence all of these areas within this group of alumni. Two findings provide new insight into the research that exists on the impacts of study abroad: a greater perception of worldliness and feelings of gratitude. This research concludes that more families, schools, and school districts should consider putting resources towards programs that allow for under-represented youth to participate in these life altering experiences. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]