Cosmopolitan Belonging and Third Space: An Ethnographic Study of the Durham Bubble Tea Society as a Site of Cultural Identity and Transnational Belonging

Abstract

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.

1. Introduction

In the autumn of 2019, I joined the Durham Bubble Tea Society at the Freshers’ Week society recruitment event at Durham University. For me, this themed student society was novel and sparked my research interest in it. Who joins this society? Why do they join it? This study explores why students believe there is a need to establish a society centered around bubble tea through qualitative data collected from members of the Durham Bubble Tea Society and participants in society activities, including interviews and questionnaires.

Through this research, I found that members seek identity and a sense of belonging in the challenges of transnational mobility by participating in the Bubble Tea Society. Unlike some ethnic food traditions that are often linked to specific community networks (Wise 2011; S. C. Chan 2018), bubble tea consumption operates as a more fluid, transnational practice, resonating across diverse student groups. Members demonstrate their global life trajectories and practice cosmopolitan belonging by participating in and consuming activities related to bubble tea.

At the same time, the Bubble Tea Society provides a hybrid space for students participating in activities to experiment with and express cultural identities. These identities are neither fully rooted in their home countries nor completely assimilated into the host culture but are instead cosmopolitan constructions informed by members’ transnational experiences (Van Den Anker 2010; Boccagni 2011; Majhanovich 2024).

The significance of such a society extends beyond the university environment, contributing to discussions in migration and identity studies, particularly regarding lifestyle migrants who use consumption habits to negotiate their identities and establish social belonging in host societies. The Bubble Tea Society reflects this pattern, revealing how young migrants use shared consumption practices as tools to build communities and clarify identities. Moreover, in the absence of family support and established social networks, the society becomes a source of cultural continuity, providing psychological comfort and fostering friendships, which may be an indispensable part of student well-being. This indicates how third spaces like the Bubble Tea Society can become essential social infrastructure for international students (McKinley et al. 2018), providing them with a framework for a sense of belonging without the need to fully integrate into the host culture (Ager and Strang 2008).

The Durham Bubble Tea Society offers a compelling lens through which to examine the negotiation of identity and belonging among transnationally mobile students. Participation in the society reveals nuanced patterns of cultural adaptation, identity assertion, and community formation among global middle-class youth. Through ethnographic methods, including interviews and surveys, the study identified two major participant groups, differentiated by their relationship to bubble tea consumption: students for whom bubble tea is their homeland food as a daily comfort habit and those for whom it serves as an aspirational symbol of cosmopolitanism.

This article situates the Durham Bubble Tea Society within the broader shift from traditional subcultural theory to post-subcultural and scene-based perspectives (Bennett and Peterson 2004). Rather than representing a fixed ethnic or national subculture, the society functions as a lifestyle-driven, translocal scene organized around shared symbolic practices. In line with post-subcultural approaches (Bennett 2011), its members navigate identity through flexible affiliations, global aesthetics, and hybrid cultural consumption. This scene echoes the informal, DIY nature of creative collectives in other urban contexts, such as Guerra’s (2020) analysis of music scenes in the Global South or Tarassi’s (2017) work on the independent music economy in Milan, where cultural participation often intersects with identity formation, social connection, and entrepreneurial aspiration.

The article is structured as follows: First, the collected data from the society are presented, offering insights from surveys, interviews, and ethnographic observations. Next, the discussion unfolds across key themes, including how the society fosters cultural continuity for international students, serves as a cosmopolitan space for global engagement, and operates as a hybrid environment bridging cultural divides. These themes are analyzed through the interconnected lenses of third space theory and cosmopolitan belonging, demonstrating how the society not only facilitates inclusivity but also raises important questions about authentic cultural engagement in an era of globalization. Ultimately, this article highlights the role of trend cultural societies as sites of identity negotiation, emphasizing their broader implications for transnational migration, student integration, and global youth culture.

2. Results

The current study employs an ethnographic approach to examine the role of the Bubble Tea Society in shaping experiences of cultural identity, cosmopolitan belonging, and transnational mobility. Through qualitative data collection, including interviews and participant observation, this research identifies key themes that emerge from the activities and interactions within the society. These themes highlight how cultural symbols like bubble tea are transformed into tools for navigating identity, fostering inclusion, and negotiating the complexities of global mobility.

Within the data, there were three overarching themes related to the negotiation of identity and belonging, each of which influenced members’ ability to explore transnational experiences and cultural integration. These themes were interconnected, with each one interwoven with at least one other, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of belonging within the Bubble Tea Society. Each theme is highlighted below, followed by a detailed discussion of how these themes intersect with each other and contribute to broader theoretical frameworks of cosmopolitan belonging, third spaces, and global cultural expansion (Entrikin 1999; Hull et al. 2010).

2.1. Maintaining Original Lifestyles Amid Transnational Mobility

For students originating from regions where bubble tea is a cultural staple, such as East Asia, the society provides a means of maintaining daily consumption habits (Palanza 2016). Bubble tea consumption among these students transcends mere preference as it represents an anchor to familiarity and home (Amer et al. 2024). One interviewee, CT, a co-founder of the society, stated: “Bubble tea isn’t just a drink for me. It’s part of my daily life back home. When I couldn’t find good bubble tea in Durham, I felt like something was missing. Starting the society was my way of bringing that part of my life here”.

CT’s reflection reveals the psychological impact of transnational mobility. The absence of culturally familiar products like bubble tea can exacerbate feelings of dislocation, particularly for students already navigating the complexities of adapting to a new cultural and social environment (Marques 2012; Burkhardt 2013). By founding the society, CT engaged in cultural reproduction, actively reintroducing an element of her daily life into the Durham context. This deliberate act underscores how transnational individuals can reclaim and recontextualize aspects of their heritage to foster continuity and comfort in unfamiliar settings.

Beyond its personal significance, CT’s actions demonstrate the broader role of cultural symbols in identity formation. Bubble tea functions as more than a beverage. It becomes a tangible connection to cultural roots and an emblem of shared heritage (Park 2011). By institutionalizing bubble tea consumption within the society, CT not only satisfies her personal longing but also facilitates a communal space where others can engage with and celebrate their cultural identities. In doing so, the society serves as a microcosm of cultural continuity, strengthening participants’ connections to their origins while fostering collective belonging (Moshoeshoe 2023).

Students in this category actively replicate their original lifestyles by establishing systems to ensure access to bubble tea. This includes organizing trips to cities like Newcastle to procure high-quality bubble tea or collaborating with local vendors to supply authentic ingredients. These efforts reflect the resourcefulness and determination of global middle-class youth to sustain their cultural practices despite geographic displacement (Bashford 2019; Dabringhaus and Osterhammel 2019).

EA, another co-founder of the society, provided additional insights into these practices:

“In the first year, I often carried bubble tea back from Newcastle for friends. It wasn’t just about the drink; it was about creating a shared experience that reminded us of home”.

EA’s account expands the focus from individual consumption to communal rituals. Her efforts to share bubble tea with friends illustrate how personal habits can evolve into collective practices, creating a sense of community and mutual support among peers (Amin and Roberts 2008; Li et al. 2009). This transformation from individual to shared consumption highlights the role of cultural practices in establishing spaces of belonging and connection within diasporic settings (Georgiou 2010; Marino 2015).

EA’s narrative also underscores the informal networks of resource distribution that emerge within diasporic communities. This community-driven supply chain management reflects the ingenuity of transnational middle-class youth in overcoming structural barriers to accessing culturally significant goods.

Moreover, EA’s reflections shed light on the symbolic dimensions of shared consumption. Carrying bubble tea back to Durham becomes an act of cultural transmission, reinforcing the identity of both the carrier and recipients as participants in a shared cultural network (Sturgeon 2012). This practice strengthens collective identity and fosters solidarity within the group, transforming a simple beverage into a meaningful symbol of connection and cultural preservation (Oktafarel et al. 2021).

Through such activities, these students not only meet their own cultural needs but also foster a collective sense of belonging among peers who share similar cultural touchpoints. The society thus becomes a space where individual and communal practices intersect, enabling participants to explore their transnational identities in a supportive and familiar environment.

2.2. Cosmopolitan Aspirations and the Symbolism of Bubble Tea

For another cohort of students, predominantly those without prior exposure to bubble tea, the beverage represents an entry point into a broader cosmopolitan identity (Chang and McGonigle 2020; Sotomayor and Zheng 2023). Bubble tea culture exemplifies the glocalization of youth culture, wherein a product originating from Taiwan is adapted, rebranded, and consumed globally in ways that align with local youth trends. The drink serves not only as a marker of cultural origin but also as a signifier of transnational belonging and participation in global urban lifestyles. These students engage with bubble tea as a global cultural symbol, linking their participation in the society to their experience of globalization (Hung 2022; Mak 2024). An international student from the Middle East, EG, reflected: “Before coming to the UK, I had never heard of bubble tea. But here, it’s everywhere on social media, and all my friends were talking about it. Joining the society made me feel like I was part of this bigger, global trend”.

This statement illustrates how global mobility exposes individuals to cultural phenomena that transcend geographic boundaries, facilitating new forms of identity exploration. EG’s experience highlights how the expansion of Asian culture globally, driven by the increasing mobility of Chinese international students, has contributed to the widespread recognition of bubble tea beyond East Asia. As more Chinese students study abroad, they bring their cultural practices with them, introducing bubble tea as part of their everyday lifestyle and influencing the consumption habits of those around them. EG’s exposure to bubble tea in the UK reflects the role of transnational student communities in shaping global consumer trends. The growing presence of bubble tea in international university spaces, facilitated by Chinese students’ demand and engagement with it, has positioned the drink as both a familiar cultural anchor for some and a novel cosmopolitan experience for others (Bastrygina et al. 2024). For students like EG, participation in the Bubble Tea Society represents more than just adopting a trendy drink; it signifies engagement with a dynamic cultural exchange shaped by migration, student mobility, and evolving global tastes (Bevan 2023).

From another perspective, EG’s comments reveal the role of cultural curiosity in driving engagement with new practices. Bubble tea’s novelty becomes a gateway for these students to immerse themselves in East Asian cultural elements, enriching their personal experiences while broadening their worldviews. This process mirrors the broader dynamics of cultural globalization, wherein local practices gain new meanings as they circulate through diverse social contexts.

The society’s events, such as DIY bubble tea workshops, further enhance this cultural integration. By creating a participatory framework, these events democratize access to East Asian cultural symbols, making them approachable and adaptable for students with diverse cultural backgrounds (Du 2024). As one respondent explained:

“Drinking bubble tea feels like being part of a global phenomenon. It’s trendy, it’s Instagrammable, and it’s something that makes me feel more connected to the world”.

This reflection highlights the aspirational nature of bubble tea consumption. For these students, bubble tea embodies a fusion of tradition and modernity, appealing to their desire to partake in a globalized cultural narrative. The emphasis on trendiness and social media visibility underscores the performative aspect of their engagement, where consuming bubble tea becomes a way to project a cosmopolitan identity (Gilmore 2022; Fu 2023).

Analyzing this further, the respondent’s comments also suggest a deeper layer of social integration. Bubble tea, as an “Instagrammable” commodity, functions as a cultural artifact that bridges individual experiences with collective participation. By sharing images and experiences online, students extend their personal connections to a broader audience, cultivating a shared sense of global belonging (Hull et al. 2010). The emphasis on bubble tea’s trendiness may also reflect the commodification of cultural symbols in a globalized economy (Gierat 2024). While this creates opportunities for cultural exchange, it risks reducing complex cultural practices to superficial markers of identity. Nevertheless, the respondent’s engagement with bubble tea demonstrates how individuals explore these dynamics, using consumption as a means of constructing and expressing multifaceted identities (Trazo 2020).

These students use bubble tea to mark their transnational experiences, signaling their integration into the global culture while simultaneously celebrating the specific cultural influences of East Asia. This duality underpins the concept of “cosmopolitan belonging” where participation in a culturally specific activity becomes a medium for broader social integration. Bubble tea serves as a tangible representation of this process, embodying both the particularities of East Asian culture and the universal aspirations of cosmopolitanism.

2.3. The Hybrid Space of the Bubble Tea Society

The Durham Bubble Tea Society functions as a symbolic “third space”, bridging cultural divides and fostering transcultural connections. Homi Bhabha’s concept of third space is evident in the society’s role at Durham: “It is that Third Space, though unrepresentable in itself, which constitutes the discursive conditions of enunciation that ensure that the meaning and symbols of culture have no primordial unity or fixity” (Bhabha 2005). The society accommodates diverse participants, offering comfort to those seeking familiarity and novelty to those embracing exploration. This hybridity is emphasized in the society’s activities, which blend elements of East Asian traditions with local student culture. For example, society events often featured bubble tea alongside Western snacks, creating a unique cultural fusion. EG elaborated:

“We wanted everyone to feel included, so our events were always a mix of cultures. We had bubble tea for the East Asian students and added local flavors to make it approachable for others”.

This approach highlights the society’s intentional effort to balance authenticity with accessibility. By integrating Western flavors, the society redefined bubble tea as not only an East Asian cultural artifact but also a platform for intercultural dialogue. This echoes broader trends of globalized food practices, where traditional cuisines adapt to local tastes to facilitate cultural exchange while retaining their core essence (Parasecoli 2014).

Moreover, the dual approach underscores how cultural hybridity fosters a sense of shared belonging among participants from diverse backgrounds (Calandre and Ribert 2019). The provision of familiar elements for East Asian students, combined with localized adaptations for others, symbolizes an inclusive community where cultural boundaries are negotiated rather than enforced (Ryoo 2009). Additionally, the society’s message board—a bubble-shaped canvas where members share messages and doodles—becomes a physical representation of this hybrid identity. Participants use it to express feelings of nostalgia, aspirations, and humor, reflecting the diverse motivations that brought them together (Sedikides and Wildschut 2019). This shared artifact exemplifies how collective memory and identity are constructed through tangible, interactive mediums. Each contribution to the board encapsulates individual narratives that, when viewed collectively, articulate the society’s overarching ethos of multicultural inclusivity. This hybridity also extends to the perception of bubble tea itself. While East Asian students might view it as a nostalgic taste of home, Western participants often regard it as a marker of cosmopolitan lifestyle trends. TY, a regular attendee, noted:

“To me, bubble tea is something cool and global. It’s trendy, and being part of this community feels like joining a global movement”.

Analyzing this statement through the lens of cultural capital theory, bubble tea becomes a “consumption good” imbued with symbolic value, signaling an individual’s engagement with globalized cultural currents. For TY, participation in the society extends beyond mere socialization, serving as a means to cultivate a distinct cosmopolitan identity.

2.4. Everyday Transnationalism in Practice

The society’s activities illuminate the concept of “everyday transnationalism”, wherein mundane practices like bubble tea consumption become tools for navigating identity and belonging. By organizing events, sharing recipes, and promoting bubble tea as both a product and a cultural artifact, members actively negotiate their positions within local and global contexts (Mak 2020). For the co-founders, the society is also a response to the unmet needs of Durham’s student population. The establishment of the society highlighted the city’s limitations in accommodating diverse cultural practices and spurred local economic engagement. LY, a local bubble tea vendor who is also a student in Durham, noted:

“Before the society, I didn’t think there was much of a market for bubble tea in Durham. But once they started organizing events, it showed me that there was real demand”.

This statement reflects the latent demand for cultural specificity in Durham’s economic landscape. From one perspective, LY’s observation highlights how cultural consumption creates market opportunities. The society’s activities demonstrate that seemingly niche cultural products can command significant interest when presented within a community framework. This underscores how the intersections of cultural identity and consumer behavior contribute to shaping local economies. From another perspective, LY’s remark reveals the limitations of existing market perceptions. The assumption that bubble tea would not thrive in Durham reflects broader biases about cultural homogeneity in small cities (Luger and Schwarze 2021). By creating visibility for the bubble tea culture, the society challenges these preconceptions and illustrates the viability of multicultural entrepreneurship. Additionally, LY’s experience speaks to the broader dynamics of transnational identities as both consumers and producers. Bubble tea, as a product born of East Asian migration, bridges global and local spheres (Wilson 2012). The success of bubble tea in Durham reflects how migrant communities act as cultural innovators, introducing and adapting products to fit new social contexts. This phenomenon exemplifies the bidirectional influence between transnational identities and host economies. As one participant noted:

“Being part of the society made me realize how much influence we have as international students. We’re not just adapting. We’re shaping what Durham feels like”.

This highlights the agency of transnational actors in reshaping host societies and fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange. It also positions everyday cultural practices, like bubble tea consumption, as vital tools for reimagining belonging and identity in a globalized world.

2.5. Transcultural Capital and Identity Formation

Through its activities, the Bubble Tea Society enables members to cultivate “transcultural capital”—the ability to explore multiple cultural contexts effectively (Meinhof and Triandafyllidou 2006). This form of social capital is particularly valuable for transnational students, who often straddle multiple worlds. One participant observed:

“It helped me connect with people from different backgrounds. It wasn’t just about bubble tea. It was about understanding each other’s cultures and finding common ground”.

It reflects a multilayered dynamic. On one level, it highlights the role of the society in facilitating cross-cultural dialogue, enabling members to bridge gaps between distinct cultural frameworks. By creating opportunities for informal exchange, the society transforms the simple act of drinking bubble tea into a culturally rich, dialogic process. For instance, members often share personal stories about their experiences with bubble tea, enriching their peers’ understanding of the drink’s cultural significance. The above quote underscores the broader importance of inclusivity. The society’s emphasis on welcoming members from diverse backgrounds helps to dissolve cultural boundaries, fostering an environment where students can challenge stereotypes and form meaningful connections. As members experiment with new flavors and toppings, they also experiment with new social roles, using bubble tea as a medium for self-expression and cultural negotiation. Additionally, the society’s activities exemplify the strategic cultivation of transcultural competence (Chukwu et al. 2023). For transnational students, this competence represents not only an adaptation mechanism but also a form of empowerment. By engaging with bubble tea as a symbol of both local and global identity, members develop a deeper understanding of how cultural markers can be recontextualized and reimagined in different settings (Stevenson 1996; Raihanah and Idrus 2024). This adaptability reflects the essence of transcultural capital: the ability to explore and thrive in a rapidly globalizing world. In the words of one member:

“The society taught me that something as simple as bubble tea can be a bridge between worlds. It’s not just a drink, it’s a way to understand who we are and how we relate to others”.

The society’s emphasis on inclusivity and cultural exchange fosters an environment where members can experiment with and express their evolving identities. Bubble tea, as both a material and symbolic good, becomes a medium for this self-exploration, embodying both the local and the global.

3. Discussion

The Durham Bubble Tea Society serves as a compelling case for exploring cultural hybridity, transnational belonging, and cosmopolitan identity, positioning it within the frameworks of third space theory (Bhabha 2001) and cosmopolitan belonging (Beck 2006; Beck and Levy 2013). The Durham Bubble Tea Society can be understood not through classical subcultural theory but rather through the lens of post-subcultural approaches, which emphasize fluid, affective, and translocal cultural formations (Bennett and Peterson 2004; Bennett 2011). Like the DIY music scenes described by Guerra (2020) and Tarassi (2017), the society represents a self-organized, lifestyle-driven community that coalesces around shared symbolic consumption—in this case, bubble tea—while engaging with both local and transnational networks. Third space theory challenges binary understandings of cultural identity by emphasizing hybrid spaces where new forms of belonging emerge. In the case of the Bubble Tea Society, members, especially international students, navigate between their home cultures and the host country, creating a space that is neither wholly assimilated nor entirely separate but instead a hybrid site of cultural negotiation and redefinition. Similarly, the concept of cosmopolitan belonging provides insight into how individuals engage with global cultural flows to construct identity. The society exemplifies this by attracting both students who see bubble tea as a nostalgic connection to their heritage and those who adopt it as a symbol of cosmopolitan participation. By bridging these two theoretical perspectives, this study underscores the importance of third spaces in fostering inclusivity and understanding while also highlighting the need for critical engagement with cultural symbols to ensure that cosmopolitan belonging is not merely a superficial form of global consumption but a meaningful site of cultural exchange and identity formation.

3.1. Cosmopolitan Belonging

The concept of cosmopolitan belonging captures how individuals explore globalized identities while preserving connections to their cultural heritage. In the case of the Durham Bubble Tea Society, bubble tea functions as a multifaceted cultural artifact, bridging personal and collective identities within a globalized context. This aligns with Beck and Levy’s (2013) theory of cosmopolitan realism, which underscores the interplay between local attachments and global mobility. For East Asian students, bubble tea serves as an anchor of cultural continuity amidst geographical displacement, offering familiarity and comfort in a foreign environment. This demonstrates how individuals integrate elements of their heritage into new settings, highlighting the fluid nature of identity in transnational spaces. Appadurai’s (1996) concept of “global cultural scapes” is particularly relevant here, as it emphasizes how transnational flows of commodities, media, and technology shape identity formation. The Durham Bubble Tea Society exemplifies this dynamic, with bubble tea recontextualized as both a nostalgic reminder of home and a marker of global participation. For instance, East Asian members like CT articulated how bubble tea symbolized an essential part of their daily life back home, reflecting Miller’s (2020) argument that material culture bridges the divide between home and host environments. This dual role of bubble tea underscores the interconnectedness of global and local cultural practices, resonating with Giddens (2020) exploration of how globalization reshapes self-identity.

Beyond personal significance, bubble tea operates as a performative marker of cosmopolitan belonging. Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital helps elucidate how members of the society use bubble tea consumption to signal their engagement with global cultural trends (Robbins 2005). For Western participants like EG, bubble tea represents an aspirational symbol of urban globalism, echoing Appadurai’s (1996) notion of recontextualization, where localized practices acquire new meanings in global settings. The visibility of bubble tea on platforms like Instagram further amplifies its role as a symbol of cosmopolitanism, transforming it into an aestheticized marker of global identity (Miller and Slater 2020). However, this commodification raises critical questions about the depth of cultural engagement, such as the risk of trends reducing complex cultural practices to superficial aesthetics.

The society’s activities illustrate the performative and dialogic nature of cosmopolitan belonging. By organizing events such as DIY bubble tea workshops and sourcing authentic ingredients, members actively negotiate their cultural affiliations. These practices align with Bourdieu and Wacquant’s concept of habitus (Husu 2013), as they reflect both ingrained cultural dispositions and adaptations to new social contexts. For East Asian members, authenticity in bubble tea preparation reinforces their connection to home cultures, while Western participants embrace adaptations as part of their engagement with East Asian culture. This duality highlights the nuanced ways in which individuals construct cosmopolitan identities through shared cultural practices.

Moreover, food, as Heldke (2016) argues, serves as a medium for intercultural dialogue and belonging. Bubble tea consumption within the society fosters a sense of inclusion and cultural exchange, as members from diverse backgrounds share this practice. For East Asian participants, it provides a platform to introduce their cultural heritage to others, reinforcing both personal identity and group cohesion. For non-East Asian members, engaging with bubble tea becomes an entry point into East Asian culture, broadening their worldviews and fostering a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. This dynamic resonates with Beck’s (2006) vision of cosmopolitanism, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing cultural diversity while fostering shared global responsibilities. However, the commodification of bubble tea as an “Instagrammable” trend complicates its role in fostering authentic cosmopolitan belonging. While platforms like Instagram increase the visibility of bubble tea as a symbol of urban modernity, they also risk diluting its cultural significance. Bourdieu’s (1985) notion of symbolic capital offers insight into how individuals explore these tensions, leveraging bubble tea’s popularity to signal their cosmopolitan identities while grappling with issues of authenticity and adaptation. For instance, the contrast between East Asian students’ preference for “authentic” bubble tea and Western participants’ embrace of localized adaptations highlights how cultural symbols are negotiated within specific social fields.

The Durham Bubble Tea Society demonstrates how cosmopolitan belonging is constructed through everyday practices, reflecting broader theoretical discussions on transnational identity. Bubble tea, as both a personal comfort item and a collective cultural artifact, embodies the dual engagement with local attachments and global mobility that defines cosmopolitanism. However, its commodification highlights the need for critical engagement with cultural symbols to ensure that cosmopolitan belonging extends beyond surface-level inclusivity. These findings contribute to the understanding of how cultural artifacts operate as bridges between personal and collective identities, underscoring the dynamic and performative nature of cosmopolitanism in a globalized world.

3.2. Offering Third Space Between Host Country and Home Culture

The Durham Bubble Tea Society exemplifies the concept of a “third space” introduced by Homi Bhabha (2001) as a hybrid cultural environment where identities are negotiated and cultural binaries are deconstructed. In this third space, East Asian traditions intersect with local student culture, fostering an inclusive environment that bridges cultural divides.

Third spaces, as theorized by Bhabha (2001), are dynamic environments where cultural intersections allow for the emergence of hybrid identities. These spaces dismantle rigid dichotomies of “home” and “host” cultures, providing a platform for individuals to explore their dual affiliations (Appadurai 1996). In the context of the Durham Bubble Tea Society, this theoretical foundation becomes a practical reality. By incorporating East Asian cultural practices such as bubble tea preparation alongside localized student activities like workshops and social events, the society offers members a space to integrate diverse cultural elements into their identities.

For East Asian students, the society provides a bridge between their home culture and the host environment. Members like CT describe bubble tea as an integral part of their daily lives, symbolizing familiarity and continuity in an unfamiliar context. This aligns with Miller and Parrott’s (2009) argument that material culture serves as a mediator between personal and collective identities, allowing individuals to maintain a sense of cultural rootedness while adapting to new environments. The society’s emphasis on authenticity in sourcing ingredients and preparing bubble tea reinforces these connections, reflecting broader trends in diasporic communities where food becomes a critical medium for identity preservation (Heldke 2016). At the same time, the society offers non-East Asian members an opportunity to engage with East Asian culture, facilitating intercultural dialogue. Bourdieu’s (1985) concept of cultural capital is particularly relevant here, as participation in the society allows Western members to signal their cosmopolitan openness through their engagement with bubble tea as a global trend. Members like EG view bubble tea as an “Instagrammable” symbol of urban globalism, illustrating Appadurai’s (1996) notion of “recontextualization” where cultural artifacts gain new meanings in transnational contexts. This duality highlights the society’s role as a space where both the preservation and reinterpretation of cultural practices occur, fostering a sense of shared belonging.

Food-related third spaces have been widely recognized for their role in fostering intercultural exchange and community building (A. Chan 2020). Bubble tea shops, in particular, have been likened to modern coffeehouses for Asian youth, providing spaces where cultural heritage is celebrated while encouraging social interaction and inclusivity (Zhao 2021). The Durham Bubble Tea Society embodies these dynamics by creating a hybrid environment where cultural practices are not only preserved but also adapted to local tastes. For instance, events such as DIY bubble tea workshops incorporate elements of Western food culture, blending traditions to promote inclusivity.

This blending of cultural practices aligns with Kathryn Read’s (2024) observation that globalization encourages the adaptation of traditional cuisines to local preferences, expanding their appeal while maintaining their cultural significance. By hosting events that reflect this hybridity, the society exemplifies Bhabha’s vision of third spaces as transformative environments where cultural boundaries are renegotiated (Bhabha 2001). For East Asian members, these events provide a platform to share their heritage with peers, fostering a sense of pride and connection. For Western participants, they serve as an accessible entry point into East Asian culture, broadening their understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.

The society’s use of digital platforms, such as message boards and Instagram, further extends its role as a third space. Miller and Slater (2020) emphasize the importance of digital communities in shaping cultural exchange, allowing individuals to connect across geographical and cultural boundaries. The society’s message board, for example, facilitates a collective narrative where members share nostalgia, humor, and aspirations, reflecting the fluid and negotiated nature of third spaces. By combining East Asian traditions with local student culture, the society creates a dynamic environment where cultural boundaries are blurred and new meanings are constructed. For East Asian members, it offers a sense of continuity and connection to their roots, while for Western participants, it provides an accessible avenue for engaging with a different culture. This duality highlights the society’s role in bridging cultural divides and fostering a sense of shared belonging.

Drawing from third space theory and supported by the broader literature on hybridity, material culture, and food-related intercultural exchange, this case study demonstrates how cultural artifacts like bubble tea operate as powerful tools for navigating identity in a globalized world. However, the commodification of bubble tea as a global trend raises questions about the depth of cultural engagement, emphasizing the need for critical reflection on the balance between authenticity and adaptation. As third spaces continue to evolve, they remain essential for fostering inclusivity and understanding in increasingly interconnected societies.

Viewed through a post-subcultural lens, the Bubble Tea Society can be interpreted as a fluid affective scene shaped more by shared symbolic practices than by rigid cultural boundaries (Bennett 2011). Its hybridity, informality, and cultural remixing place it within the continuum of contemporary youth scenes that operate across physical and digital terrains (Bennett and Peterson 2004). Just as Guerra (2020) describes how DIY music communities in the Global South construct alternative networks of belonging outside official institutions, the Bubble Tea Society builds its own “scene infrastructure” through casual rituals, curated events, and transnational cultural capital. Tarassi’s (2017) findings on music careers in Milan similarly resonate with the ways members combine social participation with economic imagination, such as student–vendor collaborations or bubble tea pop-up events.

3.3. Expansion of Global Asian Culture

Bubble tea’s journey from a Taiwanese novelty to a global phenomenon mirrors broader trends in the globalization of Asian culture. Like K-pop and sushi, bubble tea has transcended its regional origins to become a symbol of “global Asia”, resonating with diverse audiences worldwide (A. Chan 2020; Read 2024). The globalization of Asian culture represents a significant shift in cultural hierarchies, showcasing the increasing influence of Asian soft power on global trends. Cultural exports such as K-pop, Korean dramas, and East Asian cuisines exemplify this phenomenon, demonstrating how Asian culture transcends regional boundaries to become integrated into global youth culture. Appadurai’s (1996) concept of “global cultural scapes” highlights how cultural practices and commodities circulate through transnational networks, gaining new meanings as they adapt to diverse local contexts. This transcultural adaptability is a hallmark of Asian cultural exports, enabling them to appeal to audiences with varying cultural frameworks.

Bubble tea, in particular, exemplifies this adaptability. Initially a regional beverage rooted in Taiwanese traditions, it has become a global phenomenon celebrated for its novelty, aesthetic appeal, and versatility (Zhao 2021). Scholars like Bourdieu (1985) emphasize the role of cultural capital in such global phenomena, noting how commodities like bubble tea are imbued with symbolic meaning that reflects their consumers’ cosmopolitan identities. Social media platforms have further amplified bubble tea’s popularity by transforming it into an “Instagrammable” commodity, emphasizing its visual appeal and performative consumption (Miller and Slater 2020). This digital visibility underscores the interconnectedness of cultural globalization, as youth worldwide engage with Asian culture through consumption practices that blend tradition with modernity.

Another significant dimension of global Asian culture is its role in fostering inclusivity and cultural dialogue. A. Chan (2020) argues that food-related cultural artifacts, such as bubble tea, serve as gateways for global audiences to explore Asian traditions, challenging pre-existing cultural hierarchies. This process, often termed “transcultural capital”, enables individuals to explore multiple cultural frameworks while participating in global trends. However, this global integration raises questions about cultural authenticity and appropriation, as traditional practices are often simplified or aestheticized to appeal to broader audiences (Wong et al. 2024). These tensions highlight the complexity of globalization, where inclusivity and commodification coexist.

The Durham Bubble Tea Society provides a microcosm for examining the globalization of Asian culture. By promoting bubble tea as both a product and a cultural artifact, the society embodies the dynamics described in the literature. Members engage with bubble tea not only as a beverage but also as a symbol of cosmopolitanism, reflecting cultural capital. For East Asian participants, bubble tea serves as a nostalgic connection to their cultural roots. For non-Asian members, the society acts as an entry point into exploring East Asian culture. This mirrors the broader impact of global cultural exports like K-pop or Korean cuisine, which introduce global audiences to Asian traditions while fostering intercultural dialogue (Cruz et al. 2019). However, the commodification of bubble tea also presents challenges. While its global popularity creates opportunities for cultural exchange, it risks reducing complex traditions to aesthetic markers (Papastergiadis 2005). Members’ discussions within the society highlight these tensions, as some emphasize the importance of authenticity, while others celebrate the drink’s global accessibility, which warns that the oversimplification of cultural practices can undermine their deeper significance (Bramadat 2005).

Social media plays a critical role in these tensions. Digital platforms amplify the visibility of cultural artifacts, allowing them to reach global audiences while shaping perceptions of authenticity. For the Durham Bubble Tea Society, platforms like Instagram serve as tools for promoting inclusivity while preserving the drink’s cultural significance. Members’ posts celebrating bubble tea’s aesthetic appeal and cultural roots reflect the performative aspect of global youth engagement with Asian culture, illustrating how cultural globalization operates at the intersection of tradition and modernity. The Durham Bubble Tea Society offers a compelling case study for understanding the globalization of Asian culture. By promoting bubble tea as both a cultural artifact and a global trend, the society explores the complex dynamics of cultural globalization, blending tradition with modernity to foster inclusivity and dialogue. This dual role reflects broader trends in the globalization of Asian culture, where cultural exports like K-pop, Korean cuisine, and bubble tea transcend their regional origins to become integral components of global youth culture. As bubble tea continues to evolve as a global phenomenon, its role in fostering intercultural understanding highlights the importance of balancing authenticity with accessibility. The society’s efforts to create an inclusive third space illustrate how cultural globalization can serve as a platform for both preserving heritage and promoting dialogue in an interconnected world.

4. Materials and Methods

To investigate why students at Durham University seek a culturally specific society centered around bubble tea, this study employs a qualitative ethnographic approach, combining survey research, semi-structured interviews, and participant observations. Bubble tea, a drink deeply rooted in East Asian culture yet increasingly globalized, serves as both a cultural anchor for international students and a symbol of cosmopolitan participation. The Durham Bubble Tea Society provides a unique space where students navigate questions of identity, belonging, and social integration through shared consumption practices. By examining this society, the study explores how transnational youth engage with food-based cultural symbols to sustain familiar traditions while embracing new, hybrid identities. To capture a broad spectrum of perspectives, an online survey was distributed through internal society networks and university emails, targeting both active members and event attendees. Conducted between 2019 and early 2020, the survey received 17 responses, offering insights into participants’ demographics, familiarity with bubble tea, motivations for joining, and frequency of engagement. Building on these findings, eight semi-structured interviews (Louise Barriball and While 1994) were conducted via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions (Torrentira 2020), allowing for a deeper exploration of how students construct cultural identity through their participation in the society. Interviewees were selected to represent three key groups: active members involved in leadership, peripheral members with minimal engagement, and event attendees who had interacted with the society without formally joining. Lasting between 60 and 120 min, the interviews were tailored to each participant’s background, ensuring a nuanced understanding of their experiences while remaining open-ended to accommodate emergent themes (Brod et al. 2009).

The participants in this study ranged in age from 19 to 25, with the majority being full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students at Durham University. Most were enrolled in humanities and social science disciplines, though a minority came from business and STEM fields. While the majority resided in university accommodations or nearby student housing in Durham city, several lived in shared flats in surrounding neighborhoods. The cohort included both international students as well as British students with a keen interest in Asian popular culture. This diverse demographic composition reflects a shared cosmopolitan orientation, with members connected not only by nationality or ethnicity but also by overlapping lifestyle preferences, diasporic experiences, and cultural tastes.

Beyond survey and interview data, ethnographic observations played a crucial role in contextualizing the findings. Attending Bubble Tea Society events provided first-hand insights into how members engaged with bubble tea as both a social ritual and a cultural marker. Informal conversations during meetups, group chat discussions, and social media interactions further illustrated how students negotiated identity and belonging through shared experiences. By triangulating survey responses, personal narratives, and real-world observations, this study presents a multilayered analysis of how everyday consumption practices shape transnational students’ cultural affiliations, reinforcing the Bubble Tea Society’s role as a third space where identity and globalization intersect.

Ethical considerations were at the core of the research design. Participants’ anonymity was ensured, and their data were securely stored and processed and strictly confidential (Petrova et al. 2014). Written consent was obtained before the interview, and the study was approved by the university’s ethics committee (Miller and Bell 2012). In terms of data analysis, the study aimed to achieve thematic saturation, focusing on the emergence of new codes or themes (Ando et al. 2014). Despite the limitations of COVID-19 and funding, the data show coherent and recurring themes, ensuring sufficient credibility.

5. Conclusions

The Durham Bubble Tea Society stands as a microcosm of the broader dynamics of cultural globalization, offering a nuanced lens through which to examine the negotiation of identity, belonging, and cultural adaptation among transnationally mobile students. This study, through its ethnographic approach and qualitative data collection, has illuminated how the society functions as a site of cultural identity and transnational belonging, revealing the multifaceted ways in which students engage with bubble tea as both a cultural artifact and a symbol of cosmopolitanism.

The research findings highlight three overarching themes that emerge from the activities and interactions within the society: 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 interweave to create a complex tapestry of belonging, where individual and communal practices intersect, enabling participants to explore their transnational identities in a supportive and familiar environment.

Firstly, for students originating from regions where bubble tea is a cultural staple, the society provides a means of maintaining daily consumption habits, anchoring them to familiarity and home. This cultural reproduction not only satisfies personal longings but also facilitates a communal space where others can engage with and celebrate their cultural identities. The deliberate act of founding the society underscores how transnational individuals can reclaim and recontextualize aspects of their heritage to foster continuity and comfort in unfamiliar settings.

Secondly, for another cohort of students, predominantly those without prior exposure to bubble tea, the beverage represents an entry point into a broader cosmopolitan identity. These students engage with bubble tea as a global cultural symbol, linking their participation in the society to their experience of globalization. The visibility of bubble tea on social media platforms amplifies its appeal, fostering a sense of inclusion in a globally interconnected community. For these students, participating in the society affirms their presence in this transnational dialogue, enabling them to embrace a lifestyle emblematic of urban globalism.

Thirdly, the Durham Bubble Tea Society functions as a symbolic “third space”, bridging cultural divides and fostering transcultural connections. This hybridity is evident in the society’s role at Durham, accommodating diverse participants and offering comfort to those seeking familiarity while providing novelty to those embracing exploration. The society’s activities actively negotiate cultural affiliations, creating a dynamic environment where cultural boundaries are blurred and new meanings are constructed.

The study’s findings contribute to broader theoretical discussions on transnational identity, cosmopolitan belonging, and the role of cultural artifacts in shaping globalized identities. Bubble tea, as both a personal comfort item and a collective cultural artifact, embodies the dual engagement with local attachments and global mobility that defines cosmopolitanism. However, its commodification highlights the need for critical engagement with cultural symbols to ensure that cosmopolitan belonging extends beyond surface-level inclusivity. As a post-subcultural scene, the society exemplifies how youth form flexible, interest-based communities beyond national or ethnic frameworks (Bennett 2011). These scenes are characterized not by resistance or subversion per se but by cultural play, translocal connection, and lifestyle-oriented sociality (Bennett and Peterson 2004).

The Durham Bubble Tea Society exemplifies how everyday practices, such as bubble tea consumption, can become powerful tools for navigating identity and belonging in a globalized world. The society’s activities and interactions reveal the dynamic interplay between cultural preservation and adaptation, highlighting the importance of third spaces in fostering inclusivity and understanding. As cultural globalization continues to shape interconnected societies, this study underscores the need for critical reflection on the balance between authenticity and adaptation, ensuring that cultural artifacts like bubble tea remain meaningful symbols of identity and belonging.