Cultivating Connections: Facilitators for Enhancing TL-Mediated Socializing

As part of the findings from RQ2, this chapter presents the factors that promote networking with international and local students. Various situational/environmental factors emerged, such as the timing of entry into the ESL program, its class schedule, and social events or services offered by the program or host university. These environmental factors, along with those related to other students or local people, were largely beyond the research participants’ control. However, data analysis also identified personal factors within the participants’ control, including their mindsets, thought patterns, confidence in English, tolerance of cultural differences, and acceptance of other cultures. While some of these traits took time to develop, they were crucial in enhancing socializing opportunities. Additionally, many of these promoting factors were co-constructed through interactions with others, such as introductions, shared activities, commonalities, and equal relationships. Situating themselves in roles where they could contribute to others, along with their skills or knowledge, further enhanced socializing, sometimes recognized as trans-bordering cultural capital. Unexpected events, accidents, or conflicts also played a role. These findings align with studies on study abroad experiences and the “Click” theory (Brafman & Brafman, Click. New York, NY: Crown Business, 2010), highlighting that while some factors are uncontrollable, socializing can be fostered through personal efforts.