Accompanying a senior methods course, 19 teacher candidates at Southeastern Louisiana University participated in a semester-long social studies fifth grade mentorship at an International Baccalaureate World School. Teacher candidates identified factors they perceived to affect the success of the experiential learning experience through reflections, discussions and questionnaires. Some factors identified were student accomplishment and communication. The impact on attitudes toward teaching social studies was also explored. Nine teacher candidates' feelings remained unchanged because of the experience, eight were positive; two were negative. This study informs teacher educators who include or intend to include experiential learning in their courses.