Sojourner Culture Shock: Assessing the Role of Exposure in Intrapersonal Identity Conflict

Abstract

This research assesses the relationship between intercultural exposure variables-the length of time spent in the United States, the length of previous experience outside Saudi Arabia, the length of time studying English as a second language, and the frequency and nature of interactions with Americans-and intrapersonal identity conflict. To assess this relationship, the researcher conducted a survey of Saudi Arabian students studying in the United States, which collected information on exposure variables, as well as employing Leong and Ward's (2000) Ethno-Cultural Identity Conflict Scale (EICS). A Pearson correlation test was conducted to examine the relationship between the Saudi sojourners' intercultural exposure and their identity conflict scores to conclude that there is not a relationship between exposure and identity conflict.