This study focuses on the digital migration of American TikTok users to a Chinese local social media RedNote, following the 2025 U.S. TikTok ban and its impact on intercultural communication between American and Chinese users. Through a qualitative analysis of 50 selected bloggers, their posts, comments, and constructed a timeline using public data, the research identifies three key areas: (1) primary interaction themes, (2) opportunities and challenges in cultural exchange, and (3) the sustainability of RedNote for the U.S. users. The findings reveal that lifestyle and language-learning content dominate cross-cultural exchanges, enabling users to develop mutual curiosity, informal cultural learning, and opportunities for clarification of misunderstandings. Regarding the timeline, the sustainability of RedNote for American users may be limited. This study demonstrates how platform design, linguistic accessibility, and sociopolitical conditions could collectively shape the sustainability of intercultural interactions online. Although digital migration can facilitate initial cultural engagement, long-term participation depends on the development of shared community norms and meaningful cultural resonance.
This study explores how the TikTok ban in 2025 triggers the migration of American users to RedNote (Xiaohongshu) and analyzes how this digital shift shapes cross-cultural communication and interaction between Chinese and American netizens. Based on existing research on social media and cross-cultural interaction, this paper regards platform migration as a new field for cultural contact and identity negotiation. The research sampled posts from 50 Chinese and American bloggers on RedNote to identify the main discussion topics, interaction patterns, and potential risks of misunderstanding. Also, it evaluated user retention and platform sustainability by combining platform traffic data and migration timelines. Findings show that RedNote functioned as a short-term bridge for intercultural exchange, with dominant topics including lifestyle sharing, language learning, and cultural comparison. However, while the platform stimulates curiosity, empathy and informal learning opportunities, political discourse, stereotypes and algorithmic differences also give rise to misunderstanding and tension. Overall, this migration is more driven by the political context and shows phased and temporary characteristics rather than stable resettlement. The research highlights both the opportunities and structural limits of cross-platform cultural exchange in a digital environment.
This study investigates the motivations, expectations, and self-assessed preparedness of Chinese undergraduate students preparing to study in the United States through the CHEPD 1+2+1 Dual Degree Program. It addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on pre-departure perspectives, which are often overlooked in research on international student adjustment. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected via surveys (N=36) and semi-structured interviews (N=19) with students at Suzhou University of Technology prior to their departure for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Findings reveal that students are motivated by academic and personal growth opportunities but experience significant anxiety regarding language barriers, social integration, and safety concerns—largely shaped by social media. The study recommends that pre-departure orientations expand beyond logistical information to include proactive socio-emotional support, realistic cultural previews, and peer-mentoring programs to bridge the gap between students’ academic confidence and their socio-cultural apprehensions.
The purpose of this project was to update online learning materials for Japanese 101 to be in accordance with ADA standards as per the April 2024 Department of Justice ruling. Online learning materials are becoming increasingly prevalent, which can improve accessibility in some ways and hinder it in others. There are unique challenges faced with online language learning when it comes to accessibility, particularly with Japanese due to its three distinct writing systems. One particular alphabet, kanji, contains characters that have different readings dependent on context, which can pose an issue with screen-readers as they can misinterpret the correct reading. We updated all text to include the appropriate language tag, so that English and Japanese would each be read by the appropriate voice and have the desired reading. We then ensured that all images had descriptive alt text and created subtitles for all videos. After changes were made, we reviewed the materials against a checklist to ensure total compliance. We endeavored to make some materials, particularly the videos that accompany the Genki textbook, available for public use in any classroom. Because we focused primarily on Japanese 101 materials, the materials for future classes will also eventually need to be updated.
This study investigates the emergence of American users on RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), examining how this shift fosters intercultural communication between American and Chinese netizens. Through an interdisciplinary approach and qualitative analysis of posts and bilingual discussions under the TikTok Refugee, this research explores themes of cultural exchange, language adaptation, and the risks of digital miscommunication. Findings will provide insights into the evolving dynamics of global social media interaction and its implications for intercultural education and communication.
This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the pre-departure perceptions of Chinese undergraduate students from Suzhou University of Technology (SZUT) preparing to study at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC) through the CHEPD 1+2+1 program. Findings reveal a student cohort marked by optimistic ambition alongside practical anxieties. While students are motivated by the promise of a Western education that fosters critical thinking and practical skills, and they look forward to personal growth and cultural immersion, their enthusiasm is tempered by concerns about language barriers, social integration, and personal safety. Notably, there is a striking contrast between their academic confidence—supported by technological tools—and their socio-emotional apprehensions about adapting to a new cultural environment.
This project examines sociolinguistic variation in the endangered Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) community of Istanbul, focusing on intergenerational change and language contact. The study outlines key phonological, morphosyntactic, and lexical features of Judeo-Spanish and analyzes linguistic data from three generations of speakers. Supported by an SREU UW–Eau Claire research grant, the project focuses on two variables: the devoicing of /z/ and adjective placement within the noun phrase. The dataset consists of publicly available recorded interviews with members of the Istanbul Judeo-Spanish community, including speakers involved in language revitalization initiatives. Using qualitative and quasi-quantitative methods, the analysis examines how generation, bilingualism, and speaker sex are associated with patterns of variation in Judeo-Spanish. The study also explores bidirectional cross-linguistic influence, considering the effects of Turkish on Judeo-Spanish as well as possible influence from Judeo-Spanish on Turkish. By situating these patterns within a long-term contact setting, the project contributes to broader discussions of the dynamics between minoritized and majority languages.
During the 20th century, an abuse of bodily autonomy and public health took place on the island of Puerto Rico: the forced and coerced sterilization of thousands of Puerto Rican women and girls. The fact and intentional planning of this atrocity has been frequently overlooked or denied by the governments of the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as by the hospitals and organizations complicit in these events. However, historical sources and statistics clearly depict what happened, and the testimonies of the victims of sterilization express the truth of these events. Understanding how these practices were able to occur, the rhetoric and beliefs behind sterilization, and the political situation that informed what happened can help prevent atrocities like these from happening in the future.
