Is active social media involvement associated with cross-culture adaption and academic integration among boundary-crossing students?

Abstract

Social networking sites (SNSs) have become significant communication platforms for numerous international students and their acculturation process. However, the underlying mechanisms of how and to what extent certain types of social media could facilitate cross-cultural adaption are remain under-investigated. Drawing on cross-culture adaption theory, the article seeks to address this gap by investigating the potential influences of differentiated patterns of social media usage on international students’ social support from host and home countries, and acculturation process from both psychological and behavioural perspectives. Data were gathered through a web-based survey from 298 Chinese international students studying in German universities. The outcomes demonstrate that international students’ social media use, especially active use, is associated with increased level of perceived social support from both host and home countries. Additionally, the findings verify that the positive association between active use and cross-cultural adaption is mediated by these two types of social capital. The article may make meaningful contributions to present acculturation studies and managerial practice for universities which target overseas markets.