3 - Migrants' Intimacy and Mobile Dating Applications Use: A Study of Chinese International Students in the UK

In a digital age, the rapid development of technologies offers migrants new ways to gain intercultural communication, establish new social networks and maintain bonds with their home countries. However, very little research has examined transient migrants’ intimate relationships in the digital environment, which plays a vital role in their physical and emotional well-being. This research in progress aims to examine the digital romantic experiences of UK-based Chinese international students on mobile dating applications (MDAs) and the impact of new technologies on their intimate relationships and migrant life in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 UK-based Chinese international students (12 female and 8 male). The findings suggest that: 1) MDA is a primary means for the participants to not only establish romantic relationships but form social networks in the UK; 2) using MDAs facilitated participants’ cultural adaption and improved their English proficiency 3) these new technologies generated participants’ inner conflict and confusion about dating and sex in a cross-cultural context, leading to changes in dating behaviours. This research sheds light on transient migrants’ digital dating experiences and how digital dating influences their migrant life trajectories. In addition, this study hopes to attract universities’ attention to consider the role of international students’ interpersonal relationships and offer support to them.