This was the proposal I turned in to convince my tutor I wanted to study how social media reduced the lonesomeness of international students.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA AND
CONNECTIONS
The Role of Social Media and
networks in keeping international
students at BCU connected.

2. Objectives
o find out the means of communication between international
students
o explore the social networks most popular amongst international
students at Birmingham City University
o find showcase the advantages and disadvantages belonging to such
networks has had on the students

3. Supporting Concept – SOCIAL CAPTIAL
Social Capital. Giddens (2008) defines Social Capital as “trust networks
that individuals can draw from for social support”.
Bourdieu gives an all encompassing explanation with his definition as
“the aggregate of the actual or potential resources which are linked to
a durable network of somewhat institutionalized relationships of
mutual recognition or acquaintance”
Robert Putnam also says that if people come together and do things as
communities, they become stronger, more economically enriched and
the members of the community lead healthier lives.

4. The reason for this study
‘The need to belong’ is a concept that marketers, psychologists and
counsellors have identified as the reason why people take certain
actions. From the 50’s and days of Abraham Maslow, right after food,
shelter, security, and safety comes the need to belong.
According to Deb Elkin, a licensed professional counsellor, “We all need
to feel like we have a place where we belong, where we are important,
where people care about us. We are not meant to be alone and we are
not meant to be totally self-sufficient”.
Woolcock (2001): “the well connected are more likely to be housed,
healthy, hired, and happy”

6. Research Methods
his research will use a two pronged approach, namely:
uantitative – comprising surveys and questionnaires, this will be used
to gather and analyse numbers.
ualitative – involving interviews and a focus group discussion, this
aspect of the research will cater to sensitive data that numbers will
not capture efficiently.