INTERCULTURAL BRIDGES: A CASE STUDY OF A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER IN MOLDOVA
INTERCULTURAL BRIDGES: A CASE STUDY OF A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER IN MOLDOVA

Summary/Abstract: Objectives. This study is a case study on narrated intercultural experiences of a Romanian-American Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Moldova. It seeks to understand in depth the collectivism in creating bridges of understanding between people, as well as hindering communication. Material and methods. The method used is a case study based on 5 formal in-depth interviews over the course of 2 years. The interviewee is a Romanian-American male in his 40s who served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Moldova between June 1st, 2017 and June 1st, 2019. The communicative bridges with Moldovans. Results. The themes -verbal communication; and the use of code switching as a "third" language. The results are interpreted through the lenses of intercultural communication concepts of individualism-collectivism. Conclusions. This study adds to the literature of intercultural communication and non-verbal communication by highlighting the process of personal adaptation to a new culture. This case study, although based on only one participant, discusses limitations and offers suggestions for future studies on building intercultural trust in an era of globalization.

• Details
• Contents