Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
947493 International Journal of Intercultural Relations 2011 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

International students in the U.S. undertake a life changing endeavor that offers benefits and presents challenges, including a loss of social support. While studies suggest friendships with host country nationals are important for a successful experience, forming friendships with U.S. American students is challenging and rare. Difficulties establishing friendships are exacerbated when the context of adjustment is marked by prejudicial attitudes or a history of problematic intercultural relations. In this study, we sought to understand the lack of cross-cultural social reciprocity from U.S. students at a mid-size Southern university known for its racial divisiveness. We explored how students with and without international friendships differed on multicultural personality characteristics, intercultural attitudes, and multicultural experiences, such as participation in study abroad. Differences related to gender and membership in a sorority or fraternity were explored, as were amount of contact and closeness of the friendships. Students with international friendships had higher scores on open-mindedness and lower scores on intercultural communication apprehension. We discuss the findings and their implications for promoting international and U.S. student friendships.

Research highlights▶ Host national perspective on international friendships. ▶ Open-mindedness associated with international friendships. ▶ Intercultural communication apprehension associated with international friendships.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Business, Management and Accounting Business and International Management
Authors
, ,