Strengthening communion among Catholic students on social media

The impact of multicultural experiences in the digital context

Abstrak

This study explored the meaning of multicultural experiences in building a community of Catholic students on social media. The context of social media was taken because they wanted to explore the multicultural struggles that built the community. The purpose of this study was to analyze the phenomenon of multicultural experiences on social media and foster inclusive relationships. Multicultural experience was a real step to address the ethnocentrism phenomenon that was developing at the time. The research methodology was qualitative, with an analytical descriptive method. Qualitative research was conducted using phenomenological analysis and interviews. Data analysis was carried out by observing the relational philosophy. The results of the analysis showed that multicultural experiences grew on social media and helped build a community. The multicultural experience was an anticipation for Catholic students so they did not get carried away by the spirit of ethnocentrism. Multicultural values became the norm for students in their use of social media. Social media became a place to give birth to multicultural values, such as accepting, respecting, and honoring differences. Multicultural experiences gave rise to an inclusive spirit in relating to others. The multicultural experience became a reflection for self-acceptance in living the diversity of Indonesia.