Home > Foreign Languages, Cross-Cultural Studies > Vol 13 2025 Abstract 6
Managing Anxiety and Uncertainty through Nonverbal Communication in Intercultural Communication
Winnie Mwaipaja, Jagdish Joshi

Abstract
Previous studies have acknowledged the role of nonverbal communication in intercultural competence and adjustment in higher education. Less is known about how international students experience nonverbal behaviors as the source of their anxiety and uncertainty. This study explored the lived experiences of international students in Gujarat, India, as they managed these sensations in their intercultural communication. A sample of (n=17) international students from (n=14) countries was recruited to collect data through in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that nonverbal behaviors—smiling, handshaking, and touching—serve not only as a means of communication but also as active sources of anxiety and uncertainty in intercultural student interactions. The findings also indicated that questioning, conducting research, and avoidance were the strategies employed by the respondents to manage their anxiety and uncertainty, thereby facilitating effective communication. The findings suggest that nonverbal behaviors are culture-specific; thus, mindfulness is essential for intercultural adjustment and effective communication.

Full Text: PDF     DOI:10.15640/jflcc.vol13p6