This is the first book to take a unique psychological approach to intercultural interactions. The author helps the sojourner to examine his or her own personality traits, both strengths and weaknesses, and how these characteristics may improve one's ability to communicate effectively in a different culture.
Most expatriate placements are made on the basis of technical ability to do the job and the candidates circumstances and willingness to relocate. Apart from overseas development organisations, candidate selection that has any specific focus on intercultural aptitude is the exception rather than the rule.
In either case, both the development worker and the expatriate must succeed or fail on the basis of their own resources. They each need a personal strategy for dealing with the psychological demands that they will undoubtedly face.
The book is packed with tried and tested approaches, information and models in an interesting and easy to understand way which is readily accessible and which can be applied generically in any travel situation in any culture.
