International Friendships

Book excerpt: This volume discusses theoretical and empirical issues concerning international interpersonal friendships and the influence of society and culture in the different contexts in which these friendships may be found, particularly in international migration and international education. Advances in communication technology and new social and economic scenarios have enabled closer contact between people from different countries and cultures. According to the United Nations, the total number of international migrants worldwide in 2015 was about 244 million people. This increase in international human contacts raises questions about how people relate with people from other countries and cultures. In a growing international context, international friendships are relevant not only as a source of satisfaction and happiness, but also as the basis for a peaceful cohabitation and cooperation between people from different origins. Beyond theoretical issues, empirical data on international friendships involving Latin American countries or citizens are included here, in themes such as international migration and international education. The Latin America population is expected to reach 625 million inhabitants by 2016, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Efforts to foster international friendships are discussed, as are perspectives of friendship as a factor for a better integration of human populations. The book will appeal to students and researchers in psychology and family studies, sociology, communication studies, Latin American studies, and anthropology.