Going abroad for the purpose of studying is the most growing trend nowadays. Due to the perceived benefits of staying abroad, students increasingly apply for offered contest. Considering various challenges students are faced with, we can ourselves whether there are differences between those applying for contests and those who do not apply. The aim of this study was to examine which personality traits and socio-demographic characteristics are significant determinant of going on a student exchange. Furthermore, the aim was to try to determine whether the groups of respondents differ in proactivity. The following instruments were applied in the research: a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics compiled for the purpose of this research, FF-NPQ personality questionnaire (Paunonen, Jackson and Ashton) and Ralph Schwarzer's proactivity scale. The present students and those who graduated at the University of Zadar participated in the research, and data was collected via online survey. The obtained results show that students who apply for participation in the program achieve higher results on the proactive scale. From personality traits, significant determinants were agreeableness and neuroticism. From the socio-demographic characteristics, father's education, the number of residents in the place of residence and the level and type of study have proved to be significant determinants.