Costume play (i.e. cosplay) is a performance of fandom rife with rituals and communication practices. Cosplay roleplaying performances are cultural practices that reveal how cosplayers interact with one another and among non-cosplaying members of their fandoms. This study examines the expectations that cosplayers hold for roleplay, the forms of roleplay, and the ways in which roleplay can become an instigator of harassment. Through the lens of Face-Negotiation Theory, the author discusses how roleplay functions to maintain or threaten the public images of cosplayers and their audiences, and what strategies cosplayers implement to avoid the loss of face.

This paper puts the issue of Czech-Polish relationships into a context of the intercultural communication. The culturological approach used for the analysis of the communication between cultures brings a new holistic view. Factors of close cultures, the impact of a conflict as well as the importance of intercultural competences are analysed. Based on the Czech-Polish case, barriers to the intercultural communication are specified and discussed. These barriers rise from language, stereotypes, information, religion and history. A question of comicality and prestige of a language not to say entire culture is articulated. The new Network Theory of Barriers is suggested which introduces a closely related networked set of above mentioned obstacles. New platforms for the intercultural dialogue are outlined that can bring a possibility to step out of the circle of misunderstanding. These platforms consist of improving language skills, international institutions and the Internet.

Le titre de notre article est une formulation métaphorique de la problématique qui est discutée, partant du principe qu´un des fondements d´une vie de couple harmonieuse est une bonne enente entre les partenaires.

Die vorliegende Masterthesis beschäftigt sich mit den Auswirkungen des Auslandsaufenthaltes von deutschen Studierenden in dem kleinen Wüstendorf Khamlia, Marokko. Grundlage für diese qualitative Forschungsarbeit bildeten interkulturelle Schul- und Begegnungsprojekte mit einer Dauer von vier Wochen. Während der Projekzeit lebten die Student_innen mit der lokalen Bevölkerung der Gnawa und Berber Ethnie zusammen. Im Rahmen dieser Studie wurden verschriftlichte Selbstreflexionen der Projektteilnehmer_innen ausgewertet, in denen die Studierenden beachtliche Auswirkungen auf die Persönlichkeitsentwicklung, das Selbstwirksamkeitserleben, die Einstellungen gegenüber fremden Kulturen und die interkulturellen Kompetenz reflektieren.:1. Einleitung 2. „Back to the roots“ – Projektarbeit am Rande der Sahara 2.1 Das Dorf Khamlia und die Ethnie der Gnawa 2.2 Das interkulturelle Schul- und Begegnungsprojekt „Afrika macht Schule' 2.2.1 Projektarbeit 2013 2.2.2 Projektarbeit 2014 3. Zum aktuellen Forschungsstand über die Auswirkungen von Auslandsaufenthalten 3.1 Zum Stand der Theorie 3.2 Vergleichbare Studien 4. Methodik der Untersuchung 4.1 Methodologie des qualitativen Forschungsprozesses: Aktualität, Kennzeichen und forschungsrelevante Hintergrundtheorien 4.2 Die Methodik der Datenerhebung 4.2.1 Qualitative Datenerhebung mittels Selbstreflexionen nach Ingulsrud et al. 4.2.2 Bestimmung des Ausgangsmaterials 4.3 Die Forschungsfrage der Untersuchung 4.4 Die Methodik der Ergebnisdarstellung: Die zusammenfassende qualitative Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring 4.5 Die Gütekriterien 5. Ergebnisdiskussion 5.1 Auswirkungen auf das Ich/Selbst, die Identität und das Selbstwertgefühl 5.2 Auswirkungen auf die „Big 5“ der Persönlichkeit 5.3 Auswirkungen auf die Kreativität 5.4 Auswirkungen auf die Leistungsorientierung 5.5 Auswirkungen auf das Wissen 5.6 Auswirkungen auf das soziale Netz 5.7 Auswirkungen auf die Fremdsprachenkenntnisse 5.8 Auswirkungen auf die Bewusstheit über die eigene Kultur 5.9 Auswirkungen auf die Vorstellungen und Einstellungen gegenüber dem „fremden“ Land, der „fremden“ Kultur 5.10 Auswirkungen auf die Zukunftspläne und Zukunftsziele 5.11 Auswirkungen auf die interkulturelle Kompetenz 5.12 Sonstige Auswirkungen 6. Zusammenfassung und Schlussfolgerungen 6.1 Zusammenfassung der Forschungsergebnisse 6.2 Schlussfolgerungen 7. Epilog 8. Anhang / This master thesis deals with the effects of stays abroad in the small village Khamlia, Marokko, where german students initiated intercultural school- and encounterprojects. This qualitative research is based on a four week stay in Khamlia. During this time the students lived together with local people of the ethnic groups gnawa and berber. In the content of this research the project participants were asked to self-reflect and the results were analyzed. This thesis discovers distinct positive effects on personality development, self-esteem, attitude towards foreign cultures and intercultural competences.:1. Einleitung 2. „Back to the roots“ – Projektarbeit am Rande der Sahara 2.1 Das Dorf Khamlia und die Ethnie der Gnawa 2.2 Das interkulturelle Schul- und Begegnungsprojekt „Afrika macht Schule' 2.2.1 Projektarbeit 2013 2.2.2 Projektarbeit 2014 3. Zum aktuellen Forschungsstand über die Auswirkungen von Auslandsaufenthalten 3.1 Zum Stand der Theorie 3.2 Vergleichbare Studien 4. Methodik der Untersuchung 4.1 Methodologie des qualitativen Forschungsprozesses: Aktualität, Kennzeichen und forschungsrelevante Hintergrundtheorien 4.2 Die Methodik der Datenerhebung 4.2.1 Qualitative Datenerhebung mittels Selbstreflexionen nach Ingulsrud et al. 4.2.2 Bestimmung des Ausgangsmaterials 4.3 Die Forschungsfrage der Untersuchung 4.4 Die Methodik der Ergebnisdarstellung: Die zusammenfassende qualitative Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring 4.5 Die Gütekriterien 5. Ergebnisdiskussion 5.1 Auswirkungen auf das Ich/Selbst, die Identität und das Selbstwertgefühl 5.2 Auswirkungen auf die „Big 5“ der Persönlichkeit 5.3 Auswirkungen auf die Kreativität 5.4 Auswirkungen auf die Leistungsorientierung 5.5 Auswirkungen auf das Wissen 5.6 Auswirkungen auf das soziale Netz 5.7 Auswirkungen auf die Fremdsprachenkenntnisse 5.8 Auswirkungen auf die Bewusstheit über die eigene Kultur 5.9 Auswirkungen auf die Vorstellungen und Einstellungen gegenüber dem „fremden“ Land, der „fremden“ Kultur 5.10 Auswirkungen auf die Zukunftspläne und Zukunftsziele 5.11 Auswirkungen auf die interkulturelle Kompetenz 5.12 Sonstige Auswirkungen 6. Zusammenfassung und Schlussfolgerungen 6.1 Zusammenfassung der Forschungsergebnisse 6.2 Schlussfolgerungen 7. Epilog 8. Anhang

This study investigated the relationship between intercultural communication sensitivity and the culturally developed variables of emotional intelligence, ethnocentrism. multicultural ideology, patriotism and cultural identity. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the retationship between each unique variable and intercultural communication sensitivity. The survey instrument developed to analyze each relationship was created by previously determined scales with proven reliability and validity scores which ensured result integrity. A sample of 419 undergraduate college students completed questionnaires on a confidential and voluntary basis. Questionnaires made up of six sections measured intercultural communication sensitivity, emotional intelligence, ethnocentrism. multicultural ideology. patriotism and cultural identity. Data were collected from two universities in Northern California-one small private institution and one large; public institution. Through careful analysis, results supported previous literature and proposed hypotheses. Intercultural communication :sensitivity was positively correlated to emotional intelligence and multicultural ideology and negatively correlated to ethnocentrism, patriotism and cultural identity. The results reported in this study is valuable information for individuals in professional and personal contexts who desire to understand factors that may affect their ability to effectively, appropriately and successfully engage in intercultural and international interactions. The results presented may be key for improving intercultural and international relations due to improved communication.

This is an era of globalization due to which the world has become a Global Village and organizations are transforming into multicultural firms while increasingly building diverse teams. However, due to the organizations’ tendency towards becoming international, individuals worldwide travel and migrate from one society to another. This cross-culturalism is fabricating challenges for the countries of higher immigrant rates because individuals bring the complex nature of mixed cultures with them. The context of cross-culturalism is based on various different elements e.g. cultural specific values, norms, behaviors, lifestyles, ethics and beliefs which promote diversity in multicultural organizations. Thus the diversity of people creates intercultural barriers for managers/leaders to manage multicultural teams as well as challenges have increased for employees/followers who work in those teams. However, it has become crucial for both leaders and followers to learn cultural competencies so that they can manage cultural barriers and perform effectively as well as efficiently in multicultural teams.Due to the rising demand to learn intercultural competencies, this research was initiated to help future leaders and followers to better understand and manage ICC barriers. This study is an addition to existing research and will guide multicultural organizations and their participants (leaders & followers). However two questions were developed around which this study has been executed 1) How do participants from High context and Low context cultures experience intercultural communication barriers while working in multicultural settings? and 2) How can intercultural communication barriers/challenges effectively be managed among participants? In order to answer these questions, interviews on students were conducted at four universities of Sweden for the purpose of collecting empirical data which later on analyzed with the existing literature relevant to ICC.The findings of this study conclude that both High-context (HC) cultures and Low-context (LC) cultures have differences among each other which create barriers/challenges for the individuals working in multicultural settings. The results represent that when an individual from HC moves to LC, he/she comes across challenges or even if an HC moves to HC he/she faces some sort of challenges in any way possible too and, same goes for LC. The empirical data after analysis with existing literature proved that every culture whether it’s LC or HC wants to interact with HC or LC, it always creates challenges and conflicts. But at the same time there are some possible steps which can be taken to manage these barriers e.g. observation of cultures, active listening, comparison with own culture, have a dialogue around the problem as well as understanding of others’ behaviors and giving them space.

In 2016's global business landscape, the increase in workers moving across borders to find employment accentuates the language and cultural challenges for both employees and organizations. Employees working in a multinational environment need to have an understanding of language and culture to handle the complex nature of professional work in a multinational corporation (MNC). The purpose of this study was to explore what communication competencies employees in a small MNC needed to communicate across multicultural environments in the workplace. A dialectic approach of intercultural communication was used to explore these needs in one small MNC located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using English as the corporate language. Data were collected from 9 employees of one data security firm using semistructured interviewing, the data was then coded into NVivo. Using interpretative phenomenology analysis, the themes of understanding, cultural sensitivity, pace, and fitting in emerged. Results of the study indicated a disconnect in the cultural mentality of Americanness versus Arabness in the business environment where societal factors and national identity reflected in how the employees think and act in the workplace. Lack of cultural knowledge in an MNC can impact the financial health of an organization in lost opportunities, reduced productivity, and long-term relationship damage with clients and partners. The results of this study could contribute to positive social change by providing small MNCs with the insight to enhance intercultural communication and intercultural awareness among employees in building a global workforce.

This thesis looks at how ecotourists can become aware of biocultural diversity (the intersection of biological and cultural diversity) and help contribute to sustainable development, which considers the needs of both present and future generations. The thesis will address the ecotourism industry and how people who travel with companies that cater to ecotourists can contribute to biocultural diversity and sustainable development. It will utilize a sustainable development framework and a critical theory approach for considering biological and cultural perspectives including human rights and social justice, the contribution of traditional knowledge, community involvement, and the effects of human impact and globalization. The primary audience of my research is people who travel the globe in search of the earth’s natural wonders. I highlight issues related to minimizing environmental impact, respecting local cultures, building environmental awareness, and providing direct financial benefits for conservation. My central research question is: How can travelers help to preserve the environment, be sensitive to local cultures, and contribute to a sustainable future? I ask: By understanding the distinct correlation between biological and cultural diversity, how can we utilize both traditional (and local) knowledge combined with scientific knowledge to help sustain and preserve our natural ecosystems? I conclude with findings that point to the need for shared community authority, management, and decision making; mutual benefits; recognition of the rights, values, norms, power structures, and dynamics of local populations; respect for belief systems as well as traditional and local ecological knowledge; and the importance of contextual adaptation.

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This study explores the elements that can or must be changed in a film or television series for it to be successfully adapted and translated into other languages, in order to be accepted and understood by other cultures. By conducting two focus groups and individual interviews with experts in the matter, this study demonstrates that film and television can be an intercultural communication tool that serves as a bridge between different cultures, breaking the barriers and providing an understanding of one another’s norms. Moreover, creating a clear perception of a culture in either an educational or entertaining manner. / Denna studie utforskar de element som kan eller måste ändras i en film eller tv-serie för att den ska kunna anpassas och översättas till andra språk, för att accepteras och förstås av andra kulturer. Genom att genomföra två fokusgrupper och individuella intervjuer med experter på området visar denna studie att film och tv kan vara ett interkulturellt kommunikationsverktyg som fungerar som en bro mellan olika kulturer, bryter barriärerna och ger förståelse för varandras normer. Dessutom skapa en tydlig uppfattning om en kultur på antingen ett pedagogiskt eller underhållande sätt.