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Peran Komunikasi Antarbudaya dalam Perbedaan Budaya pada Mahasiswa
Vol. 7 No. 3: September 2026
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Nasution, N. P. A., Hasibuan, N. E.-K., Rubino, R., & Ritonga, H. J. (2026). Peran Komunikasi Antarbudaya dalam Perbedaan Budaya pada Mahasiswa. Empiricism Journal, 7(3), 3728-3741. https://doi.org/10.36312/ej.v7i3.5935
Keragaman budaya di lingkungan perguruan tinggi menghadirkan peluang interaksi sosial sekaligus tantangan komunikasi yang dapat memengaruhi proses adaptasi mahasiswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi hambatan komunikasi antarbudaya, menganalisis mekanisme yang mendukung adaptasi, serta menyintesis faktor-faktor yang menentukan efektivitas komunikasi antarbudaya di lingkungan perguruan tinggi multikultural. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan tinjauan pustaka kualitatif dengan sintesis tematik terhadap 17 artikel jurnal terbitan 2014–2026. Artikel dipilih berdasarkan relevansi topik, karakteristik penelitian, dan keterverifikasian sumber, kemudian dianalisis melalui pengodean induktif, pengelompokan temuan, dan interpretasi antartema. Hasil sintesis menghasilkan empat tema utama, yaitu hambatan bahasa dan gaya komunikasi; perbedaan komunikasi nonverbal; prasangka, etnosentrisme, dan kecemasan komunikasi; serta akomodasi komunikasi, kompetensi, dan adaptasi budaya. Hambatan bahasa merupakan persoalan yang paling sering dilaporkan, sedangkan kecemasan dan etnosentrisme berkaitan dengan rendahnya kemauan berkomunikasi. Adaptasi mahasiswa didukung oleh penyesuaian gaya komunikasi, interaksi lintas budaya yang berkualitas, paparan budaya berkelanjutan, dan dukungan institusional. Penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa efektivitas komunikasi antarbudaya bersifat kondisional, bergantung pada kesiapan psikologis, kualitas interaksi, dan penyesuaian timbal balik. Temuan ini memberikan dasar bagi perguruan tinggi untuk mengembangkan orientasi budaya, pelatihan komunikasi, dan kegiatan kolaboratif yang inklusif, sekaligus mendorong penelitian longitudinal untuk menguji hubungan antarfaktor adaptasi secara empiris pada berbagai konteks pendidikan tinggi.
The Role of Intercultural Communication in Cultural Differences Among University Students
Abstract
Cultural diversity in higher education provides opportunities for social interaction while presenting communication challenges that may affect students' adaptation. This study aims to identify intercultural communication barriers, analyze mechanisms supporting students' adaptation, and synthesize factors influencing communication effectiveness in multicultural university environments. A qualitative literature review was conducted using thematic synthesis of 17 journal articles published between 2014 and 2026. Articles were selected based on topical relevance, research characteristics, and source verifiability, and subsequently analyzed through inductive coding, thematic categorization, and cross-theme interpretation. The synthesis identified four major themes: language barriers and communication styles; differences in nonverbal communication; prejudice, ethnocentrism, and communication anxiety; and communication accommodation, competence, and cultural adaptation. Language barriers were the most frequently reported challenges, while anxiety and ethnocentrism were associated with a lower willingness to communicate across cultures. Students' adaptation was supported by communication accommodation, high-quality intercultural interactions, sustained cultural exposure, and institutional support. The findings indicate that intercultural communication effectiveness is conditional rather than automatic, depending on psychological readiness, interaction quality, and mutual adjustment. These findings provide a basis for universities to develop cultural orientation programs, intercultural communication training, and inclusive collaborative activities. Further longitudinal research is recommended to examine the relationships among communication barriers, adaptation mechanisms, and contextual factors across diverse higher education settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nadia Putri Amanda, Najwa El-Khoir Hasibuan, Rubino, Hasnun Jauhari Ritonga
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