Home Institution
Hamilton College
Publication Date
Spring 2013
Abstract
This study aims to explore the value of cross-cultural relationship-building and international friendship in development. By connecting two groups of Americans each with a group of low-income Kenyans over Skype and by presenting the written expression of Kenyans’ hopes and struggles to a third American group, the research analyzes whether face-to-face interaction and personal information sharing affects one’s perception of people’s needs. Though due to small sample sizes the results are generally inconclusive, qualitatively, the data suggest that relationship-building is a useful tool for development, defined as the improvement of a population’s fundamental welfare. Moreover, the study finds that deliberate cross-cultural interaction can be a highly enjoyable and thought-provoking exercise for those who engage in it.
Disciplines
Civic and Community Engagement | Communication Technology and New Media | Family, Life Course, and Society | International and Intercultural Communication | Interpersonal and Small Group Communication | Social Psychology and Interaction
Recommended Citation
Allegar, Charley, "Skype’s the Limit Testing the Value of Cross-cultural Relationship-building in International Development" (2013). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 1492.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/1492
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons
Program Name
Kenya: Urbanization, Health, and Human Rights