A Study On The Influence Path Of Social Media On Culture Adaptation Of Chinese “Generation Z” Overseas Students

Among the considerable number of Chinese overseas students,the “Generation Z”,born in the late 20 th century and early 21 st century,is becoming an important force for transnational mobility.“Generation Z”,as a “network generation” growing up with the Internet and social media,relies far more on social media than anyone else.Therefore,social media constitutes an indispensable cross-cultural experience in their experience of studying abroad,as well as reflecting their mindset behind cultural adaptation and their thoughts on issues such as culture and identity.In order to investigate the role of social media in the lives of “Generation Z” students and its influence and significance on their cross-cultural experience and cultural adaptation,this study focuses on the use of social media and cross-cultural experience of “Generation Z”students,using a semi-structured interview method and introducing the theoretical perspective of social capital to focus on the influence path of social media in the process of culture adaptation,in order to clarify how social media affects the online and offline capital accumulation through the establishment of social relations and the acquisition of social resources,and then make a more in-depth explanation of the process and results of culture adaptation of Chinese overseas students.The study found that after arriving at the new place,the expectations and the needs of“Generation Z” students leads to their different motivations and strategies for using social media.They are "amphibious" whiling facing the changing environment,and using social media as an important tool to get information,to establish or maintain interpersonal relationships,and to express their feelings.In this process,they built a wide network of resources along their expected direction through activities on social media,and through the two specific paths,expanding online channels and integrating offline relationships,they have accumulated two types of social capital,instrumental and emotional,with the help of social media,to help them keep in touch with the outside environment,gain motivation and emotional support for participation,and get emotional support to relieve anxiety,loneliness or other negative emotions in the different and new cultural environment.All in all,social media has opened up a social,cultural and political communication space for overseas students.The cross-cultural social capital network built by their actions on social media has become an important resource for their decision-making in the country where they studied,acting on different levels of environmental,behavioral and emotional in their culture adaptation.The difference in this process produces three culture adaptation strategies: the balanced “amphibious” style,the “transnational” style,and the “self-alienated”style.Among them,we should pay great attention to the inclination towards social media resources and social relations of their home country,which reflects a transnational cultural mentality and a subjectivity that takes pride in differences,making them form their own understanding of culture adaptation and critical cultural thinking through constant negotiation and selection instead of being forcibly incorporated into the mainstream discourse and value system of world civilization.