This study answers a need for outcome assessment in international education by exploring the intercultural communication skills of study abroad and on campus students. Through a pre and post test of two specific skills, intercultural adaptability and intercultural sensitivity, study abroad students were compared to students who stay on campus to measure their change (if any) over the course of the semester. Using the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI; Kelley & Meyers, 1992), and the Intercultural Sensitivity Index (ISI; Olson and Kroeger, 2001), the two student groups individually assessed their strengths and weaknesses through a self-reported inventory at the beginning and end of the fall 2001 academic semester. Results confirmed the hypothesis that students who study abroad exhibit a greater change in intercultural communication skills after their semester abroad than students who stay on campus.
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