Bridging Cultures: Social Media Support for Intercultural Adaptation of Student Diaspora

Abstract

With the increasing number of Indian students pursuing higher education abroad, understanding how social media and online communities influence their intercultural adaptation has become increasingly pertinent. This study explores the role of virtual communities in assisting the Indian student diaspora to adjust. More specifically, this research focuses on the adjustment process and the reduction of the downward slope of the Gullahorn and Gullahorn's W-Curve Model of Cultural Adaptation, representing the disillusionment phase that often follows the initial excitement of moving abroad. Utilizing Tajfel and Turner's Social Identity Theory, and Kim's Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory, this research investigates how social media platforms assist Indian students in adapting from their collectivistic home cultures to individualist host cultures. Through semi-structured interviews with Indian students who have studied abroad in the last five years, the study provides insights into how these virtual communities contribute to developing intercultural perspectives and influence cultural differences in academic and everyday life contexts. The findings highlight that social media sustains students' adaptation efforts by offering essential emotional support, practical information, and networking opportunities. The data also reveals that collectivist Indian Culture is reflected in social media communities. Thus, this study emphasizes the growing importance of integrating social media into institutional support systems for student progression and internationalization of higher education. The findings would benefit educators and institutions as nodes in a connected world, facilitating access to virtual communities and enhancing support structures. This research provides valuable insights for improving the adaptation experiences of student migration, ensuring a more seamless transition, and fostering successful cultural integration.