The book "Becoming Intercultural" by Young Yun Kim presents an integrative theory of cross-cultural adaptation, combining various disciplinary perspectives. The theory aims to provide a comprehensive system of description and explanation by identifying uniformity and regularity in diverse individual experiences of cross-cultural adaptation. Kim's theory is grounded in three assumptions: cross-cultural adaptation is a fundamental human activity, communication is central to this process, and adaptation involves a qualitative transformation of the individual. The theory is structured around six dimensions: personal communication, host social communication, ethnic social communication, environment, the stranger's own predisposition, and intercultural transformation. These dimensions interact to influence the adaptation process, which is characterized by a stress-adaptation-growth dynamic involving opposing forces like engagement-disengagement and acculturation-deculturation. Kim's theory reconciles opposing views of cross-cultural adaptation, incorporating both assimilationist and pluralist perspectives. The book discusses empirical indicators for each construct and presents research considerations for future studies. Kim's approach avoids simplistic dichotomies and presents cross-cultural adaptation as an evolutionary process influenced by personal and community factors. The book is praised for its comprehensive and inspiring presentation of cross-cultural adaptation, offering a framework for further research and evaluation. Kim's idealistic view of cross-cultural adaptation as an emergence of intercultural personhood is highlighted, with a Homeric simile illustrating the gradual process of freeing one's mind from a parochial viewpoint to attain a greater perspective. The book is recommended for researchers and students of cross-cultural adaptation, offering a valuable contribution to the field.The book "Becoming Intercultural" by Young Yun Kim presents an integrative theory of cross-cultural adaptation, combining various disciplinary perspectives. The theory aims to provide a comprehensive system of description and explanation by identifying uniformity and regularity in diverse individual experiences of cross-cultural adaptation. Kim's theory is grounded in three assumptions: cross-cultural adaptation is a fundamental human activity, communication is central to this process, and adaptation involves a qualitative transformation of the individual. The theory is structured around six dimensions: personal communication, host social communication, ethnic social communication, environment, the stranger's own predisposition, and intercultural transformation. These dimensions interact to influence the adaptation process, which is characterized by a stress-adaptation-growth dynamic involving opposing forces like engagement-disengagement and acculturation-deculturation. Kim's theory reconciles opposing views of cross-cultural adaptation, incorporating both assimilationist and pluralist perspectives. The book discusses empirical indicators for each construct and presents research considerations for future studies. Kim's approach avoids simplistic dichotomies and presents cross-cultural adaptation as an evolutionary process influenced by personal and community factors. The book is praised for its comprehensive and inspiring presentation of cross-cultural adaptation, offering a framework for further research and evaluation. Kim's idealistic view of cross-cultural adaptation as an emergence of intercultural personhood is highlighted, with a Homeric simile illustrating the gradual process of freeing one's mind from a parochial viewpoint to attain a greater perspective. The book is recommended for researchers and students of cross-cultural adaptation, offering a valuable contribution to the field.