Individual differences seem to play

Individual differences seem to play a major role in the acquisition of
second languages in the context of the year abroad. Much research has
found that there is a greater range of individual variation among learners
who spend time abroad than those studying at home (Huebner 1995, De Keyser 1986; Freed 1995, Guntermann 1995, Regan 1995). De Keyser
(1986), in his study of Americans studying abroad, found that the differences
between his abroad group and the stay at home group were much
less significant than were individual differences among students in the
year abroad group. There were clear differences, however, within the overseas
group in monitoring style and in preference for certain communication
strategies. These differences had a strong impact on the way the
learners were perceived by the native speakers, and were consequently
sought out or avoided for informal interaction.