Last modified: 2018-07-07
Abstract
This phenomenological study sought to understand the lived experiences of Indonesian international students studying in Taiwan and their practice of Islam. An open-ended questionnaire was first administered to a group of Indonesian students in a Taiwanese public university then three interviewees were selected based of the richness of their responses. Data from both questionnaires and interview transcripts were used. Using Braun and Clarkes’ (2006) thematic analysis procedures, five major recurring themes were identified: (a) the Taiwan appeal; (b) practice of Islam; (c) support systems; (d) difficulties; and (e) their proposed solutions. Practicing Islam away from home gains a new meaning for them as it becomes their identity. Moving from a majority to a minority experience was the underlying structure of their experience. The essence of their experience was likened to that of sailing with an Indonesian watercraft, the sampan, while in new cultural waters. Conclusions, implications, and recommendations were also drawn from their collective experience.