International students’ movement to the UK and their digital transition on social media

Alsuhaibani, Anas; Cox, Andrew; Hopfgartner, Frank; Zhao, Xin

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113730 Copy

Description

Title

International students’ movement to the UK and their digital transition on social media

Author(s)

• Alsuhaibani, Anas
• Cox, Andrew
• Hopfgartner, Frank
• Zhao, Xin

Issue Date

2022-02-28

Keyword(s)

• International Students
• International Students’ Transition
• Social Media
• Social Media Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between international students’ movement and their digital transition on Twitter. By using the Twitter API, timelines for 17 Saudi students studying in the UK were retrieved. An in-depth qualitative content analysis for these accounts was conducted for a two year period, before and after their move. The study identified a transition in the students’ timelines on Twitter in terms of what they post. This was usually characterized by an increase in posts related to (1) the UK and international contexts and (2) academic and language topics. The analysis also revealed that social media can play a positive role by providing students with needed information and supporting them to develop their English language. This study successfully identified a form of digital transition on Twitter that students go through and highlighted the positive role of social media in the students’ overall transition experience. This research serves as a good foundation for future researchers interested in the transition and digital technologies or social media.

Publisher

iSchools

Type of Resource

Other

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113730

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 is held by Anas Alsuhaibani, Andrew Cox, Frank Hopfgartner, and Xin Zhao. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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