ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by examining the connection between interpersonal communication and intercultural relationships. It explores several categories of intercultural relationships as well as ties between people who differ in terms of social class, language, age, ability, gender, and/or sexual orientation. The chapter discusses the numerous benefits of initiating and sustaining intercultural relationships in today’s interconnected world. It focuses on romantic intercultural relationships and briefly looks at factors that can facilitate or hinder successful intercultural romance and marriage. The chapter reviews various categories of intercultural relationships and discussed the many potential benefits of forming close interpersonal connections with people who have a different linguistic or cultural background, whether face-to-face or online. A number of internal and external factors can either facilitate or hinder intercultural friendships and the formation and maintenance of diverse social networks. Intercultural relationships can take many forms and cross one or more socially and historically constructed boundary.
