Exploring Social Networking as an Aid to Acculturation

Ryan Sherry University of North Texas, USA

Magro Michael University of North Texas, USA

Sharp Jason Tarleton State University, USA

Abstract
This paper uses a qualitative methodology, autoethnography, to explore how social networking can help international students acculturate to the United States. Our findings suggest three emergent themes. Social networking tools can aid acculturation through: 1) facilitating knowledge exchange, 2) alleviating apprehension, and 3) enabling socialization and building community.

Full Text Document:	Preview PDF (For Proceedings of IFIP8.2/OASIS) 268Kb
Reference:	Ryan, S.D. , Magro, M.J. , Sharp, J.H. (2010). "Exploring Social Networking as an Aid to Acculturation," Proceedings > Proceedings of IFIP 8.2/Organizations and Society in Information Systems (OASIS) . Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Systems, 10(112). http://sprouts.aisnet.org/10-112
Keywords:	Social Networking, Acculturation, Qualitative Methodology
Item Type:	Article - Volume 10 Article 112 (2010)
Language:	English
Email:	Ryan Sherry (sherry.ryan@unt.edu) Magro Michael (michael.magro@unt.edu) Sharp Jason (jshartp@tarleton.edu)

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