On the Role of Social Networks in the Adaptation of Foreign Students to a New Educational Environment
The article is timely because of the challenges that modern Russian system of higher education faces in the field of enrollment and training international students. The aim of the article is to study the possibilities for creating friendly educational environment for international students in a Russian university by the active use of social nets. It analyzes international student’s dynamics, explores the goal of educational services export, and describes the experience of Orenburg State University in the use of social nets to create a positive image in the international arena. Describing such characteristics of social nets as independence of communication from distance and time, efficiency and availability, the author demonstrates their potential for coping with various tasks when studying abroad like getting necessary information for living and studying, reaching a better understanding and acquaintance with new events, life circumstances and requirements, keeping and developing contacts with people from a new culture and without familiar environment. The questionnaire survey demonstrates that social nets make international students feel more confident while being abroad. The findings presented allow to formulate recommendations how to use social nets in the adaptation of international students to a new educational environment.
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