Abstract

India is known for its cultural diversity based on several factors, such as language, religion, race, and customs. In India, people used to move from one place to another for various purposes, and this was particularly the case with students in pursuit of education. In such situations, cross-cultural adaptation is one of the factors that facilitate their adjustment to new cultures and surroundings. Cross-cultural adaptation is needed when a person has to live in a different cultural setting than their own native place. Being sensitive to others’ emotions is essential when one lives in a new place. Emotional intelligence helps in that way and influences cross-cultural adaptation. Therefore, the present study was intended to explore the influence of emotional intelligence on cross-cultural adaptation. As many as 332 students, aged 17 to 29, who moved to another state for education, participated in the study. Emotional Intelligence Scale and Cross-Cultural Adjustment Scale were used for data collection. The components of emotional intelligence, such as self-emotional appraisal (SEA) and others’ emotional appraisal (OEA), were found to significantly influence expatriate adjustment. Furthermore, SEA and OEA have also influenced cultural novelty and the use of emotions (UOE). Students from rural areas were found to have more cross-cultural adaptation in the presence of their friends’ company compared to urban dwellers. In summary, the current study emphasizes the importance of higher emotional intelligence for better cross-cultural adaptation.