The field of intercultural communication study may be best explored by analyzing sojourners, individuals who leave their homes and travel abroad to learn as students, workers, or occupational trainees. A review of the early research reveals that the similarities of well-traveled sojourners' communication behavior and general outlook is greater than their expected cultural differences. In one study, questionnaires were mailed to 43 trainees from 15 different countries who had resided in the United States before returning home to their countries. Approximately half were returned. Although there are obvious problems with sampling and generalizability in a study of this size, responses were important because they revealed genuine feelings on the part of the sojourners. Among the problems researchers may face are that sponsorship of sojourner programs is now so diffuse that locating and gaining access to the travelers is likely to be difficult, and that charges of clandestine activities and intelligence operations occurring under the guise of academic activities have partially compromised the credibility of academic researchers abroad. However, studying sojourners as excellent sources of data and insights about intercultural communication remains an important area in that research. (DF)