Mutual understanding of both similarities and differences between Americans and host nation counterparts is a key to effective use of American advisors abroad. When Americans and their hosts know what to expect of each other, the interpersonal competence, consulting skill, and technical knowledge of American consultants can be brought to bear more effectively than where misunderstandings of opinion, values, and ideology prevail. A program is described which is building a bank of information about such similarities and differences. How knowledge of the data has relevance to relations between Americans and host nationals is discussed, along with educational procedures for disseminating such information to those who take on American advisory roles abroad. The report includes 28 references. (Author/LY)