The Role of Social Media and networks in keeping international students at BCU connected.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONNECTIONS

Objectives•T

o find out the means of communication between international students

•To explore the social networks most popular amongst international students at Birmingham City University

•To find showcase the advantages and disadvantages belonging to such networks has had on the students

Supporting Concept – SOCIAL CAPTIALSocial Capital. Giddens (2008) defines Social Capital as “trust networks that individuals can draw from for social support”.

Bourdieu gives an all encompassing explanation with his definition as “the aggregate of the actual or potential resources which are linked to a durable network of somewhat institutionalized relationships of mutual recognition or acquaintance”

Robert Putnam also says that if people come together and do things as communities, they become stronger, more economically enriched and the members of the community lead healthier lives.

The reason for this study‘The need to belong’ is a concept that marketers, psychologists and counsellors have identified as the reason why people take certain actions. From the 50’s and days of Abraham Maslow, right after food, shelter, security, and safety comes the need to belong.

According to Deb Elkin, a licensed professional counsellor, “We all need to feel like we have a place where we belong, where we are important, where people care about us. We are not meant to be alone and we are not meant to be totally self-sufficient”.

Woolcock (2001): “the well connected are more likely to be housed, healthy, hired, and happy”

Research Methods•T

his research will use a two pronged approach, namely:

1.Quantitative – comprising surveys and questionnaires, this will be used to gather and analyse numbers.

2.Qualitative – involving interviews and a focus group discussion, this aspect of the research will cater to sensitive data that numbers will not capture efficiently.