This study examines the relationship between the time students spent abroad, personality traits, behavioural patterns as well as the circumstances during this time and the student’s intercultural competence. The study uses a correlative cross-sectional design. Design and sample: A total of 202 academic subjects were surveyed in a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted between the 01.05. – 01.07.2018 via an online survey tool. The average age was 22 years. Measurements: The survey characteristics of stays abroad such as type and length of the longest stay or the integration into the target culture, further, intercultural competence, social competence and work-related attitudes as patterns of behaviorbehaviour and experience using the “Work-related Behaviour and Experiencing Pattern 44”. This scale assesses work related personality traits and sorts participants to one of four patterns, describing their health behaviour at work. Results: The motivational competence increased after one to five month, the cognitive and behavioral competence was significantly higher after minimum five month. The personality patterns influenced the motivational and metacognitive competences. Having a pattern A or B lead to a lower motivational competence through occupational stays abroad. Further, a S pattern was connected to lower metacognitive competence after a occupational stay abroad or an Au-pair. The results show that for different types of stays abroad and different characters specific support measures are required from companies or universities.