Because people meeting across cultures often carry with them misunderstandings and suspicions--relationship problems which must be resolved before any task can be completed--the phrase "problem-solving" must be defined more literally when applied to intercultural communication. Sources of cultural conflict must be recognized and…

These nonfiction, first-hand accounts of the experiences of two young women sojourning in foreign countries offer insights into the cultural adjustments, problems, and rewards foreign exchange students may encounter. A Danish woman recounts her difficulty in readjusting to her home country following a year in Kenya, emphasizing the cultural and…

Aboriginal discourse in central Australia is characterized by a refusal to impose a way of thinking on others, and correct discourse either carries a consensus or is abandoned. In addition, participants avoid being exposed personally in public settings, and good interactional style forbids speakers from forcing themselves on fellow participants in…

A comparative evaluation program of the national cultural policies of European countries was proposed by the Council of Europe in 1985 with a view toward enhanced cooperative action in European cultural policies. These national reviews are comprised of four stages: (1) the preparation of a report by each country with regards to creation,…

A pilot study investigated the varieties of English used in two commercial contexts and the success of speakers from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds in transmitting intended information to listeners from other native language backgrounds. A questionnaire was administered to both native speakers of English (NS) and non-native speakers…

A history of the development of study abroad programs by U.S. colleges and universities is presented in the following chapters: (1) "The Origin of Study Abroad Programs"; (2) "The Issues in Study Abroad"; (3) "The 'Proliferation' of Study Abroad Programs"; (4) "The Seventies: New Patterns for Study Abroad Programs"; (5) "Some Examples of…

A study was conducted to examine core Japanese communication patterns, as viewed from insider and outsider perspectives. Using a semistructured interview method and a theme analysis method, four Japanese cultural communication themes were uncovered during the four month study: (1) communication style--concealment versus revelation, (2)…

Telecommunications projects underway in Hawaii include various multimedia computer-based educational telecommunications (CBET) and multimode node telecommunications (MMN) projects. CBET uses a computer network to send messages rather than an ordinary telephone call, and MMN is a technique for transferring messages, data, and images between…

Akira Kurosawa, the most popular Asian film maker with audiences in the United States, has found in William Shakespeare's plays themes and plots that resonate within Japanese culture. While the translations of "Macbeth" into "Throne of Blood" and "King Lear" into "Ran" are quite direct and literal with only…

Viewing conflict as a communication process and culture as a system of symbols and meanings allows conflict to be seen as embedded in the normative system of culture. Conflict is functional when it maintains the fundamental norms and values of the culture, regulates an appropriate degree of stability in the system, and takes place in a normative…

The high attrition rate among North American expatriate executives has become a significant problem for firms doing business in foreign countries. A review of the literature reveals a number of factors contributing to attrition, including culture shock, family problems, managerial style and practice differences, insensitivity to host cultures, and…

Multicultural counseling has the support of various groups, including accreditation bodies. Questions whether information about a specific subculture is helpful in counseling a client who is labeled as being from that subculture or if the differences within groups might possibly be as great as the difference between groups. Suggests that the use…

Responds to Lloyd by cautioning counselors regarding the centrality of multicultural awareness in counseling curricula. Maintains the primacy of culture cannot be denied as the first dimension in our thinking as professional helpers. Cultural intentionality is proposed as a metagoal of the helping process--the integration of cultural awareness…

Presents comparison of three types of exchange programs between anglophone and francophone students in Quebec and their effects on students' language and cultural attitudes. Results showed that direct contact between geographically distant groups is more successful than exchanges between geographically close groups and between distant groups where…

Discusses difficulties of consulting overseas, describes some essential overseas consulting skills, and suggests strategies for beginning employment in the international field. Highlights include cross-cultural differences, language and communication problems, establishing credibility, consulting styles (i.e., directive, collaborative, and…