Promoting intercultural friendship among college students |
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| Authors: | Elisabeth Gareis Jeffrey Goldman Rebecca Merkin |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication Studies, Baruch College/CUNY, New York, NY, USA;2. Department of Psychology, Hauser Hall, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study assessed the efficacy of a semester-long buddy project in facilitating intercultural friendship development. Results of pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys show significant improvements in knowledge and attitude; correlations between post-project knowledge, attitude, and interest in continued contact; and correlations between interest in continued contact and actual contact in the follow up. The majority of the participants evaluated the project as effective for friendship formation. Of the follow-up respondents, 23% developed friendships with their former buddies. The project serves as an example for assignments with the potential for friendship development, which is essential for optimal intergroup contact. |
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| Keywords: | Cross-cultural knowledge cross-cultural attitude intercultural friendship buddy project contact hypothesis |
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