Intercultural Communication for International Programs

Abstract

`Study abroad' programs in the United States make great claims about the learning outcomes of an experience overseas. Beyond cultural orientation sessions, however, many do not address intercultural or cross-cultural issues. This study brings together two conceptual axes, experiential learning and cultural adaptation, to provide a teaching model for an introductory intercultural communication course that is specifically geared to the needs of American study abroad participants, but that can be adapted to function well in a variety of contexts in which learners from different cultures come into contact with one another.