An Empirical Study of Host Social Media on the Intercultural Adaptation of Preparatory International Students in China: A Case Study of Shandong University

This thesis probes into the current situation of host social media usage and intercultural adaptation of preparatory international students in China. Study covered 208 preparatory international students in total was conducted, with subject observation, structured interview, and questionnaire, in Shandong University, which is considered as one of the most representative institutions providing high-level preparatory education for international students in China. Field data collected were analyzed descriptively in the form of frequencies, tables, and percentages. Taken all that have been analyzed in this thesis, findings strongly suggest that the main factors influencing international students’ intercultural adaptability include host social media usage, intercultural experience, mandarin level, and cultural distance. Results also indicate significant correlation between host social media usage and intercultural adaptation: students who frequently use host social media to chat with Chinese perform better at intercultural adaptation; those who are more dependent and satisfied with host social media are more adaptive as well, the same goes to students who use host social media more frequently to get information or socialize. Consequently, this study suggests necessary promotion of host social media for international students in China.