AbstractsCommunication

The trend of studying abroad is rapidly expanding worldwide. Even though research has examined the impact of studying abroad, the effects of stereotypes on students??? overall cultural adaptation into the new culture has not been notably assessed. The present study examines the stereotypes of warmth and competence that international students attribute to U.S. Americans and the effect these stereotypes have on these students??? preparedness for change, intercultural communication competence, and overall cultural adaptation to American society. Utilizing Kim???s (2001) Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory as a framework, this study investigates the process of cultural adaptation by including preparedness for change, stereotypes warmth and competence, and intercultural communication competence. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 218 international students at a large southwestern university. First it was shown that preparedness for change positively affects intercultural communication competence. However, it was then illustrated that preparedness for change did not relate to international students??? adaptation into the American culture. International students??? perceived perception of U.S. Americans was then tested. Through this, it was found that U.S. Americans are considered to be more competent than warm. From this finding, the relationship between the two stereotype dimensions proved to correlate. This indicates that if Americans are perceived as warm, that will positively associate that with perceptions of competence. Next, stereotypes warmth and competence were shown to relate to preparedness for change. The more prepared for change an international student was, the more warmth and competence toward U.S. Americans was felt. When examining the relationship between intercultural communication competence and the two stereotype dimensions, only stereotype competence was shown to fully relate. The warmth dimension was only partially related to intercultural communication competence. Following, only stereotype warmth was shown to be a predictor for cultural adaptation. Stereotype competence was not positively related to an international student???s cultural adaptation. Last, intercultural communication competence positively related to an international students??? cultural adaptation into the American culture. Through gaining this knowledge, researchers can benefit by having a better understanding of the implications that preparedness for change, stereotypes, and intercultural communication competence can have on international students??? overall adaptation into the American society. Keywords: stereotypes, intercultural communication competence, cultural adaptation, and international students The trend of studying abroad is rapidly expanding worldwide. Even though research has examined the impact of studying abroad, the effects of stereotypes on students? overall cultural adaptation into the new culture has not been notably assessed. The present study examines the stereotypes of warmth and competence that… Advisors/Committee Members: Spitzberg, Brian H, Snavely, William B, Devos, Thierry.