An Assessment of How Length of Study-Abroad Programs Influences Cross-Cultural Adaptation

Abstract

Utilizing the integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation, the present study sought to examine the extent to which the length of study-abroad programs affects individuals' ethnic and cultural identification, willingness to engage in intercultural communication, intercultural communication competence, and cultural adaptation. The results of the study indicate that while length of study-abroad programs was not correlated to cultural adaptation, length of program was associated with changes in cultural and ethnic identification. Moreover, willingness to communicate with members of the host culture was associated with cultural identification as well as intercultural communication competence.

Keywords:

• Study abroad
• adaptation
• ethnic identity
• competence
• willingness to communicate

Notes

The authors thank William Snavely and Jess Ponting for their comments on an earlier version of this article. The article is based on the first author's MA thesis at San Diego State University, directed by the second author.

*p < .05 level.

**p < .01 level.

***p < .001 level.