Chinese International Students’ Use of Social Media: Exploring Significance of WeChat in Students’ Practice while Negotiating the Australian Higher Education Field

WeChat is a popular social media platform amongst Chinese international students (CIS) studying in higher education. This study used Bourdieu's conceptual framework to explore how WeChat practices mediated students’ education in one Australian university. Data was collected from 15 undergraduate CIS through semi-structured interviews with a scroll-back method. Findings were that CIS WeChat practice has deep roots in their habitus. WeChat added to their sense of belonging and negotiation in the new international setting but also diminished transition and was under-utlised by the university. The study informs higher education decision-makers program provision and support for international students’ transitions and education.