Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2024, 7(2); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2024.070239.
Kexi Chen, Guangxin Gu
School of Journalism and Communication, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
In response to the surge in globalization and the thriving higher education market since the 1970s, studying abroad has become an increasingly preferred choice. The global population of international students has witnessed a significant rise, with notable challenges faced by students, as highlighted in Chen's (2004) study on Chinese students in the 1990s heading to the United States. These challenges included difficulties in forming meaningful social connections with locals, hindering their integration into American society. The study explores the evolution of individuals' social media usage patterns when relocating to a new cultural milieu and its role in facilitating cultural adaptation among international students. Amid rapid transformations in today's media landscape, social media emerges as a central tool for information seeking, personal and emotional aspects, as well as professional endeavors. The paper delves into the intricate relationship between social media and cultural adaptation, investigating its impact on genuine relationships and its significance in the cultural assimilation of international students. Through a qualitative research design, the study utilizes in-depth interviews with Chinese and international students to unravel the complexities of social media's role in connecting, participating, and fostering emotional connections in the acculturation process. The findings shed light on the nuanced ways in which social media influences the lives of international students and its implications for their cultural integration.
Social Media; Cultural Adaptation; Uses and Gratifications Theory
Kexi Chen, Guangxin Gu. Research on Impact of Social Media on Cultural Adaptation among International Students. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2024) Vol. 7, Issue 2: 273-278. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2024.070239.
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