The numerous surveys and publications on short term study abroad programs have neglected, or largely ignored, how host communities are impacted by these programs. Questions such as what sort of interactions the students have with local communities in host countries and how these communities view and relate to the students have almost no published assessment to inform STA practitioners and international program that’s develop STAs. Organizations such as the Institute for International Education (IIE), School of International Training (SIT), and many others have little or no data on the effects of study abroad programs on local communities. The Forum on Education Abroad Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad (2008, 19) only cautions students and the organizations sending the students to “respect the cultures and values of the countries in which it operates.” This study seeks to shed light on how these programs influence, impact, and effect change on host communities and how those in the communities view the STAs. Two communities, Tse Addo and UG, were the survey sites. Findings of the study reveal the need for more collaboration and effort be placed in developing mutually beneficial, targeted, and meaningful experiential learning not only for he students, but also where that learning takes place.