Abstract
As international students, sojourners, and immigrants arrive at host cultures, they usually employ certain means and strategies to adjust to the traditions and norms in these cultures. The present article provides a review of the literature about the impact that social networking sites (SNSs), as one of these strategies, have on the process of intercultural adaptation. The article also points out the definitions and several types of SNSs and a number of common models of intercultural adaptation. The literature shows that SNSs have been used for several purposes during the intercultural adaptation process such as: (1) to remain in contact with their family members and friends in their home countries, (2) to obtain social capital, and (3) to socially adjust in educational settings. The pedagogical implications derived from the literature are manifested in threefold: connections and relationships, community, and acculturation.
Highlights
Newcomers to foreign cultures have implemented various technologies to help them in the cultural adaptation and acculturation process
The results indicated that social media helped international students establish personal relationships with people in both their home and host countries in a convenient environment, as well as nurture a sense of belonging to the host culture
The present paper has provided a review of the current literature on the influence of social networking sites (SNSs) on the process of intercultural adaptation
Summary
Newcomers to foreign cultures have implemented various technologies to help them in the cultural adaptation and acculturation process. During the process of intercultural adaptation, people use social media for several purposes such as to learn about others’ cultures and countries, build relationships with friends and classmates, and keep informed about events related to their cultures. Interaction and communication via the Internet influence the way how social media impacts intercultural adaptation for newcomers to host countries, such as international students. The present article provides a review of the current literature on the impact of social media on the intercultural adaptation process. The paper further reviews how social media can help international students cope with the cultural and educational adaptation process when being in a new culture for various purposes, mainly to obtain a university degree. The paper concludes by providing pedagogical implications to help teachers and international students acculturate when they go abroad for different purposes. The implications are helpful for organizations in order to prepare their employees for acculturation
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