Social Media and Educational Experiences: Internationality in Mexico Through TikTok Chapter in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • Social networks such as TikTok have transformed communication and experience sharing, enabling documenting and sharing personal experiences. This qualitative descriptive study investigates whether TikTok can effectively be used to study the educational experiences of international students in Mexico. A content analysis of 20 public videos in Spanish and English was conducted. The results show that the shared experiences revolve around five main themes: social interactions, educational institutions, heritage and culture, urban environment, and natural environment. Frequently mentioned positive experiences include social interactions and appreciation for heritage and culture. However, negative experiences related to academic and administrative processes, institutional activities and resources, and urban infrastructure and transport were also mentioned. These experiences are articulated in five main aspects: summary, daily routine, impressions, how arrived and first or last day. The use of formatting and content elements varies depending on these shared aspects of the experience, with common video formats including pictorial slideshow, documentaries, and oral discourse, often with text messages and face on. This study concludes that TikTok is valuable for capturing and researching educational experiences, providing multifaceted insights into international students¿ lives in Mexico. Future research integrating nonverbal communication is suggested to achieve a more complete understanding of these experiences. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.

publication date

  • January 1, 2025