Food, identity, and belonging

Chinese international students’ social media practices in the UK

Abstract

The growing popularity of social media has transformed how international students maintain cultural connections and construct identities while living abroad. However, few studies have examined how food-sharing practices on social media contribute to identity construction and cultural adaptation. This study investigates how Chinese international students in the United Kingdom use social media to share food-related content and how these practices shape their experiences of belonging, self-presentation, and adaptation. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with six participants and thematic analysis, the findings show that food sharing functions as a form of cultural capital through which participants communicate taste, lifestyle, and social positioning. Food-related content also helps participants maintain cultural connections, manage homesickness, and reinforce a sense of belonging. Cultural adaptation occurred alongside the maintenance of Chinese cultural practices, suggesting that adaptation did not require participants to abandon their existing cultural identities. Participants also adapted their self-presentation across different social media platforms and audiences. These findings demonstrate how food-sharing practices mediate identity construction, cultural continuity, and cross-cultural adaptation in digital environments.