Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging
This ethnographic study explores the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a site of cultural identity and transnational belonging among university students. Through qualitative data collection, including interviews and questionnaires, this research investigates why students feel the need to establish a soci...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Genealogy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/2/39 |
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| author | Xinwei Zhang |
| author_facet | Xinwei Zhang |
| author_sort | Xinwei Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This ethnographic study explores the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a site of cultural identity and transnational belonging among university students. Through qualitative data collection, including interviews and questionnaires, this research investigates why students feel the need to establish a society centered around bubble tea, a drink with deep cultural resonance in East Asia but also a globalized product. The study identifies three overarching themes: maintaining original lifestyles amid transnational mobility, cosmopolitan aspirations and the symbolism of bubble tea, and the hybrid space of the Bubble Tea Society. These themes highlight how the society functions as a third space, bridging cultural divides and fostering transcultural connections. The findings contribute to broader theoretical discussions on transnational identity, cosmopolitan belonging, and the role of cultural artifacts in shaping globalized identities. This study underscores the importance of third spaces in fostering inclusivity and understanding, emphasizing the need for critical engagement with cultural symbols to ensure authentic cosmopolitan belonging. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b39f04073b364f1b9d5e9eeccf4475ce |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2313-5778 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genealogy |
| spelling | doaj-art-b39f04073b364f1b9d5e9eeccf4475ce2025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGGenealogy2313-57782025-04-01923910.3390/genealogy9020039Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational BelongingXinwei Zhang0Faculty Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandThis ethnographic study explores the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a site of cultural identity and transnational belonging among university students. Through qualitative data collection, including interviews and questionnaires, this research investigates why students feel the need to establish a society centered around bubble tea, a drink with deep cultural resonance in East Asia but also a globalized product. The study identifies three overarching themes: maintaining original lifestyles amid transnational mobility, cosmopolitan aspirations and the symbolism of bubble tea, and the hybrid space of the Bubble Tea Society. These themes highlight how the society functions as a third space, bridging cultural divides and fostering transcultural connections. The findings contribute to broader theoretical discussions on transnational identity, cosmopolitan belonging, and the role of cultural artifacts in shaping globalized identities. This study underscores the importance of third spaces in fostering inclusivity and understanding, emphasizing the need for critical engagement with cultural symbols to ensure authentic cosmopolitan belonging.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/2/39cosmopolitan belongingcultural identitytransnational mobilitythird spacebubble tea societyglobalization |
| spellingShingle | Xinwei Zhang Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging Genealogy cosmopolitan belonging cultural identity transnational mobility third space bubble tea society globalization |
| title | Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging |
| title_full | Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging |
| title_fullStr | Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging |
| title_short | Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging |
| title_sort | cosmopolitan belonging and third space an ethnographic study of the durham bubble tea society as a site of cultural identity and transnational belonging |
| topic | cosmopolitan belonging cultural identity transnational mobility third space bubble tea society globalization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/2/39 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xinweizhang cosmopolitanbelongingandthirdspaceanethnographicstudyofthedurhambubbleteasocietyasasiteofculturalidentityandtransnationalbelonging |