Navigating the Impact of Social Media on Cross-Cultural Learnings and International Mobility: Students’ Perception

Abstract

In an era marked by the pervasive social media, its evolution transcends from mere communicative instruments to becoming synonymous with communication. Considering that human existence today is heavily characterized by cross-cultural intersections, the present study discusses the transformative influence wielded by social media on the perceptual landscape of cultural distinctions. The study, therefore, is a comprehensive analysis of the impact of social media on the adaptation trajectory of 20 engineering students from India who travelled abroad to do their internships. This qualitative research delves into the role of social media in enhancing their Intercultural Competence when their leaving for the host country was confirmed and the role social media played while they started residing in the host country. Researchers have used the phenomenological approach of examining the data using the Deardorff Pyramid Model of Intercultural Competence (ICC), attempted to understand the existing presence of cross-cultural knowledge and the impact of social media in cross-cultural settings, and explored the need for structured cross-cultural education within academic programs. Results suggest that Social Media helps in early adjustment in the host culture through knowledge of tangible aspects but does not help much in learning the intangible aspects. Also, social media does not support for better internal and external outcomes, required for effective ICC. Hence, a well-structured cross cultural training is required in the academic programmes at tertiary level