The Effect of the Language Barrier on Intercultural Communication: A Case Study of Educational Travel in Italy

Abstract

Language is perceived as a barrier in study abroad programs as it may limit students' opportunities to interact with the local culture. The purpose of this research is to understand the effect of the language barrier on intercultural communication between study abroad students and the host population, and other factors that enhance the students' enjoyment. During the summer of 2001 10 American students participated in a study abroad program in Italy with a focus on Engineering and Italian Studies. Using a case study approach, the research used rich data from the students' logs and photographs, interviews with the locals', the authors' field notes in developing the central themes—simplicity of the environment, group cohesion, and interpreter—that contributed to the students' and the hosts' enhanced intercultural communication experience. Despite the limitations imposed by a single case study, the results can be useful to other educational study abroad programs and to increasing intercultural communications in other types of international travel.