ABSTRACT
In a globalized world, where intercultural contacts increase signifi cantly because of new communication and information technologies as well as improved transport systems, intercultural communication becomes one of the major challenges. Today, more people than ever are confronted by foreigners, e.g. students, business people and tourists. This development does not only imply great opportunities but it also has potential for confl icts. While the chance to learn from people with divergent cultural backgrounds is quite obvious, a rather problematic aspect, that accompanies the learning process, is not always seen clearly: The fact, that members of all cultures have to cope with people from divergent cultures may contribute to a strengthening of the boundary between oneself and the other-it is a widespread attitude to perceive the foreign as a threat for one’s own identity, which therefore needs to be defended. That’s why intercultural communication becomes so important and its main task is to make sure that cultural differences do not become a barrier to mutual understanding.
