This thesis has established exchange students as a particular group of tourists and a segment in their own right. The purpose of the study was to find out to what extent a study abroad destination’s role as a tourism destination affects exchange students when they choose where to study abroad. The study was conducted through an online survey answered by exchange students of multiple nationalities and study abroad destinations. The study found that although there were clear individual differences in the degree of motivation, tourism affects the choice of study abroad destination to a great extent and the vast majority of exchange students choose to study in what they view as a tourism destination.