An Analysis of Overseas Students ' Behavior of Using WeChat in China——An Empirical Study from the Perspective of Intercultural Communication

Key words： intercultural communication; new media; WeChat; acculturation; foreign students

Abstract ：With the development of globalization of education, intercultural adaptation is the primary problem facing the increasing number of international students studying and living in different countries, mainly including socio-cultural adaptation and psychological adaptation. As the most popular social media in China, WeChat has become an indispensable tool for foreign students to integrate into the Chinese society. The result of empirical research shows that the use of WeChat by foreign students has a positive impact on socio-cultural adaption from the aspects of language, communication and learning adaption. In addition, it also has a positive impact on psychological adaption from the aspects of motivation and expectation, and attitudes from society members. This further highlights the importance of WeChat use for intercultural adaptation of foreign students in China. Therefore, better use of the new media platform can provide effective help for foreign students to adapt to the new culture in China.

Journal of Wuhan University, 03, 2019

Author： Wenbo Kuang ( a doctor of management, an associate professor and master supervisor of school at the journalism, Renmin university of china, a research of Research Center of journalism and Social Development ); Xiaoli Wu ( a doctor of school at journalism,Renmin University of China)