Intercultural adjustment is described, in general, by means of a W-curve function or culture shock. However, very little apparent integration exists among the various approaches for explaining or understanding the sojourner's adjustment. Social patterns of behavior and personality traits have not been very successful in explaining intercultural adjustment, while social interaction and background and situational factors have been of somewhat greater value. These divergent approaches can be more meaningfully understood in relation to adjustment to the degree that they facilitate or impede intercultural communication. Thus, intercultural communication appears to be both an integrating and crucial factor for understanding the adjustment of the sojourner.