Ghana, Morocco and the United States: A cross-cultural communication study

This thesis evaluated several international exchanges from a cross-cultural communication perspective. By reviewing program activity organized and facilitated by the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, the issue of whether the Program understands and achieves effective cross-cultural communication in its interactions with other cultures was studied. Highlighted were United States and Africa relations, by focusing on specific exchanges between Chicago and Accra, Ghana and Casablanca, Morocco. In selecting Accra and Casablanca, two distinct African cultures were evaluated, one West-African and one Arab. This thesis provided a forum to study American culture and compare and contrast it with the African cultures. Research results indicated that, in regards to its relationships with Accra and Casablanca, the Chicago Sister Cities International Program did not always understand cross-cultural communication. However, through an ongoing process of trial and error, the Program was able to achieve varying degrees of effective communication in its interactions with the citizens of these cultures.