Familiar yet distant: Cultural proximity and the role of social media in the acculturation of Malaysian-Chinese students in China

Abstract

This study investigates the acculturation experience of Malaysian-Chinese students in China through the lens of cultural proximity, with a specific focus on their social media practices. Based on semi-structured interviews with 17 Malaysian-Chinese international students, the study reveals a core finding: while cultural proximity facilitated daily adaptation, it did not translate into deep intercultural integration. Instead, most students adopted a separation strategy, maintaining a dual-set of social media use that reflects their divided social circles. Meanwhile, language proficiency also showed a limited effect, supporting only functional adjustment without fostering meaningful interaction with the locals. Social media proved instrumental for pre- and post-arrival preparation, academic support and mental well-being, yet its effectiveness also remained at a surface level, offering little help in expanding host-country social circles.