Charting the initial digital journeys of students in a new digital environment: a qualitative study

Beyond sociocultural and academic adjustment, international students also need to navigate unfamiliar digital environments when moving to a new host country. Their adjustment to the new digital environment might impact other aspects of the transition. This study explores how international students in Indonesia navigate the new digital environment during their first six months. Unlike many studies set in the Global North, this research focuses on a Global South context, where students face unfamiliar apps, language barriers, and different digital habits. Based on semi-structured interviews with 51 newly arrived students, the findings show that the students go through a process of digital shock, transition, and (dis)engagement. Many students struggle to access information or use local platforms. Over time, some adapt by exploring new tools and changing their digital habits, while others disengage due to overload or fatigue. These experiences led to varied digital outcomes, including passive exposure to local information, information overload, and improved local language skills. While peer support, university guidance, and digital skills help students adjust their digital journey more smoothly, barriers such as language barriers, usability challenges of digital platforms, and limited device capacity often complicate their journeys. This study highlights the importance of understanding digital journeys as a core aspect of international students’ adaptation. To effectively support international students, it is essential to recognise how early digital journeys shape students’ academic adjustment and social integration in the host country.