The Role of New Media in Chinese Undergraduates’ Academic Adaptation in Malaysia
Abstract
New media has become an essential part of the daily lives of students studying abroad, it plays a crucial role in their process of adapting to different cultures. It provides significant benefits for international students regarding their ability to adapt to different cultures. However, it can also impede their long-term adaptation. Whether this continuous and potential communication through social media with host national, co-national, and multinational relationships contributed to a more successful adaptation to a new cultural environment is a matter of debate. The study aims to examine the role of new media in the cross-cultural academic adaptation process of Chinese international undergraduates in Malaysia. The study utilized qualitative methodologies and organized eight focus group discussions, with a total of 40 Chinese undergraduate students who are enrolled in four public and four private universities in Malaysia. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The result examined the types, motivations, intensity, advantages, and disadvantages of Chinese undergraduate students' utilization of new media for their academic adaptation while studying in Malaysia. The utilization of host and ethnic new media significantly improved the academic and social involvement of Chinese undergraduates. Nevertheless, an over-reliance on new media for academic pursuits adversely affected their academic achievement. This study will contribute to the rational and effective use of new media, especially social media, for social network construction and communication among Chinese international students, thereby facilitating their cross-cultural adaptation to a new environment.
Keywords: New media, academic adaptation, social network, Chinese undergraduates, Malaysia.
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