International undergraduates’ perceptions of social engagement in online and face-to-face learning environments: a photo-elicitation approach to thematic analysis

Abstract This mixed-methods study explores international undergraduates’ perceptions of social engagement with American peers at a US university comparing online to face-to-face environments. It addresses gaps in research on the undergraduates and employing participant-generated visual approaches investigation. Descriptive statistics from survey data showed that, while students reported greater satisfaction, frequency, comfort engaging versus contexts, they did not rate their overall interaction as highly Americans nor lowly for Thematically analyzed qualitative photo-elicitation interviews prompted seven themes (disconnectedness, loneliness/homesickness, discourse expectations, building friendships, diversity intercultural issues, anxieties, conflict) illuminating nuances attitudes among toward engagement. Results suggest possible distinctions between based region potential area future study.