THE ROLE OF ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK SITES AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN MITIGATING HOMESICKNESS AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Abstract

The rising number of international students in Indonesia brings attention to homesickness, intensified by limited physical and social support. This study explores how online social network sites (SNS) aid social integration and reduce homesickness, analyzing the support and challenges related to SNS use. Using purposive sampling, 34 international students from diverse backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews, complemented by quantitative demographic analysis and qualitative thematic analysis. Results reveal that SNS significantly mitigates homesickness and fosters social integration by providing emotional support, distraction, information, and instant communication. Students from collectivist societies primarily seek familial and emotional connections on SNS, whereas those from individualist cultures utilize these platforms to expand social networks and engage in various interactions. However, issues like exposure to unrealistic standards, scams, fake news, privacy invasion, addiction, and negative interactions also emerged. Recommendations include counseling for social media addiction and campaigns addressing the risks of SNS use. Future studies should account for variables like stress levels and academic pressures to better assess SNS's impact on homesickness. Adopting mixed-method and longitudinal approaches could deepen understanding and improve the study's applicability.