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1.7: Conclusion

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    322851
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    This chapter introduces students to the foundations of intercultural communication by grounding abstract concepts in real experiences. Through stories, readers see how communication shapes relationships across cultural boundaries—from classrooms at CSU Fullerton to Peace Corps service in Ghana. The chapter explains why studying intercultural communication matters, using examples like Jordan’s sushi experience in Japan and David J. Smith’s global village model to illustrate how cultural nuances, global inequalities, and media exposure influence our perceptions. It also defines culture as a dynamic, learned system of shared values, beliefs, and symbols shaped by history, social forces, and personal experience, emphasizing that cultures are fluid and diverse even within the same nation.

    Building on this foundation, the chapter explores how communication works through the transactional model, showing that meaning is co‑created through context, feedback, and individual identities—and that cultural differences can introduce “noise” into the process. A historical perspective highlights how intersecting social factors and systems of inequality shape cultural identity and communication patterns, encouraging readers to think critically about privilege and power. The chapter concludes by underscoring the importance of intercultural communication competence (ICC) in a globalized, digitally connected world. Skills such as empathy, adaptability, and cultural awareness help individuals navigate misunderstandings and connect more effectively across cultural divides, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of ICC in the next chapter.


    1.7: Conclusion is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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