TRAJECTORIES OF CHINESE-MUSLIM STUDENTS’ CULTURAL IDENTITY AND THEIR CHALLENGES IN UIN MALANG

Abstract

Studying cultural identity among students is considered a pivotal aspect of education. This research explores trajectories of identities among Chinese-Muslim students in Malang. By understanding the identities, individuals can fully understand their positions in the society where they live. It is also expected that citizens and students will develop a more tolerant attitude toward other cultures. In the educational realm, understanding cultural identity is crucial for both teacher and student who interact during the teaching and learning process. In this research, the researcher examines five Chinese-Muslim students’ experiences in the process of constructing their cultural identities using a qualitative design. The research results show that Chinese-Muslim students in Malang are of Hui ethnicity. Physically, they have a close similarity with the Han, the Chinese majority ethnic group and identify themselves as pure Chinese rather than acknowledging their Hui background. In the context of Indonesia, they feel like outsiders because of their facial characteristics. Chinese students’ learning identity is mostly passive and more individual compared to Indonesian students. Due to its individual-based learning, class discussions and group works pose barriers in education, while self and parental motivations serve as supporting factors.

Keywords

• cultural identity
• chinese-muslims
• university students