Abstract

Malaysia stands out as the preferred destination for students from the Middle East seeking higher education. The enrollment figures are considered a positive reflection of the recognition of the national education system. Despite this, a significant number of Middle Eastern postgraduates encounter challenges in adapting to university life. The primary issues revolve around difficulties in comprehending local culture and communication. By applying the Uses and Gratifications theory (U&G), this study aims to identify how Middle Eastern postgraduate students in Malaysia use social media to adapt culturally and to explore their social interaction and communication experiences. The study also seeks to understand how these students utilize social media as a means to navigate and overcome the challenges they encounter. The research employed a qualitative approach and utilized thematic analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with a purposive sample of 10 Middle Eastern postgraduates from the local university. The data from the study will be analyzed using Atlas.ti 8 software to extract the primary themes. All the data and in-depth interviews are undergoing an intercoder reliability process, and the Cohen's Kappa formula is being used to ensure the validity of the data. The resulting value of 0.54 indicates a moderate level of agreement, suggesting that the data can be utilized in the study. Based on the analysis, three major themes emerged: cultural immersion, social engagement, and relationships. In summary, the study's findings underscore the instrumental role of social media in promoting cultural immersion, fostering social engagement, and facilitating the formation of meaningful relationships among international students, particularly Middle Eastern postgraduates in Malaysia. These themes collectively contribute to enhancing the overall adaptation experience and academic journey of students in a multicultural environment.