While there is a growing body of research on study abroad programs, as Li, Olson, and Frieze (2013) observed, "Research on study abroad has primarily focused on the effects or outcomes of study abroad participation on the students involved in these programs…Very limited attention has been devoted to studying factors affecting students' intention and decision to study abroad" (p. 74). A variety of factors are likely to influence whether students choose to participate in a study abroad program, what program they select, and what benefits they realize from participation. If we hope to attract students to our programs and organize the programs to optimize the students' experience, it is imperative that we are aware of what these factors are and how they influence students' decisions. The focus of this paper is on the development of an instrument that accurately measures the key factors motivating a student's decision to study abroad.