Online Sojourner Communities: What Can Sojourners Learn from Them and Do They Aid Cultural Adaptation?

• In Event: CLT- International Communities of Practice

Short Description

This mixed-methods study, N=160, explored how sojourners utilize online communities to manage acculturative stress and learn about their host countries. The research identified 25 topics crucial for adaptation, varying by sojourning phase. Online communities were found to be valuable sources for learning about employment, visas, childcare, groceries, and local laws. Despite some drawbacks, sojourners considered information from online communities more accurate, accessible, and timely than official sources.

Authors

• Contributor: Bruce Edward Screws, Incheon National University

• Contributor: Vanessa Dennen, Florida State University

• Contributor: Paul F. Marty, Florida State University

• Contributor: James Klein, Florida State University

• Contributor: Eunhui Yoon, Florida State University