10.1177/1028315305277681 ARTICLEJournal of Studies in International Education Winter 2005Rundstr m Williams / Imp ct of Study Abroad Exploring the Impact of Study Abroad on Students ’ Intercultural Communication Skills: Adaptability and Sensitivity

This study answers a need for outcome assessment in study abroad by exploring the intercultural communication skills of study abroad and on campus students. Through a pretest and posttest of two specific skills, intercultural adaptability and inter-cultural sensitivity, study abroad students were compared to students who stay on campus to measure their change (if any) during the course of the semester. Using the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory and the Intercultural Sensitivity Index, the two student groups individually assessed their strengths and weaknesses through a self-reported inventory at the beginning and end of the fall 2002 academic semester. Results confirmed the hypothesis that students who study abroad exhibit a greater change in intercultural communication skills after their semester abroad than stu-dents who stay on campus. Results also indicated that exposure to various cultures was the greatest predictor of intercultural communication skills