Transcultural practices of international students as identity performances in digital Settings | Culture and communication in digital worlds

Author(s): Osman Solmaz

Year of publication: 2020

Keywords: International students, Social media, Transcultural practices, Identity performances, Superdiversity

Methodology/Sample: Interviews/16 international graduate students

Reference: Solmaz, O. (2020). Transcultural Practices of International Students as Identity Performances in Digital Settings. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 9(2), 276-300. link.gale.com/apps/doc/A662496408/AONE?u=anon~b3ff0ebd&sid=googleScholar&xid=42352ac5

Abstract

Guided by an interdisciplinary approach, this study seeks to illustrate the digital practices of international speakers on social media. The practices of international users are especially valuable due to the presence of various audiences in their networks, some rarely researched. For this purpose, the study examines the social media practices of 16 international graduate students (IGSs), who experience a transnational mobility in the United States. The data is collected through semi-structured interviews with participants and their social media data. The analysis includes quantitative assessment of participants’ social media activities and qualitative analyses of interviews and digital practices. The findings of the study illustrate how individuals with transborder experiences engage in identity work by sharing transcultural content with a multitude of audiences in their networks. The study concludes that digital practices involving the transcultural flow of content present opportunities for IGSs to work and realign various facets of their identities.

> Summary

The study explores digital practices of international graduate students (IGSs) on social media, focusing on their identity work and transcultural content sharing.
It highlights the diverse audiences IGSs engage with, showcasing their experiences in transnational mobility within the United States.
The research employs semi-structured interviews and social media data for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Findings indicate that IGSs navigate multiple identities through their online interactions, contributing to discussions on globalization and digital superdiversity.

> Problem statement

The study explores the digital practices of international graduate students (IGSs) and their identity work through social media.
It addresses the challenges of maintaining community legitimacy amid local and global intersections.
The research highlights the fluidity of identities in new social and cultural contexts, especially for those with transborder experiences.
It examines the transcultural flow of content and its impact on IGSs’ identities.

> Methods used

The study utilized an online survey involving 90 international graduate students for data collection.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 international graduate students to gather qualitative data.
Social media data was collected through automatic extraction from Facebook and manual collection from participants’ profiles.
A total of 1,939 posts were analyzed, averaging 74 activities per participant over one to two years.
The analysis employed Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA) to interpret the data.
Both inductive and deductive analyses were performed in a cyclical manner to enhance findings.
The study aimed to illustrate digital practices of international speakers through an interdisciplinary approach.

> Practical implications

The study highlights the importance of digital practices for international graduate students (IGSs) in maintaining ties with their home communities.
IGSs can leverage social media to share transcultural content, enhancing their identity work and community engagement.
The findings suggest that IGSs can navigate cultural intersections through digital platforms, fostering a sense of belonging.
Understanding these practices can inform educators and policymakers about the needs of transnational students in diverse contexts.
The research underscores the dynamic nature of identity formation in globalized digital spaces, which can guide future studies.