ADAPTATION AND INTERACTION PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM INDIAN MALAYSIAN IN PALEMBANG, INDONESIA

Abstract

Indian Malaysian students in Palembang looked quite secluded at the first time they started studying in Sriwijaya University. Instead of speaking Malay Language, they spoke English and Indian, and they also had a problem with adaptation and social interaction. based on that situation, this research raised the problem on the adaptation process of Indian malaysian students in Palembang and the obstacles in the process of adaptation. The subjects of this research were Indian Malaysian students of Sriwijaya University studying in medical faculty. This research used a qualitative approach and phenomenological method by Alfred Schutz’s theory. Data collections were obtained by using observation, interviews and documentation. The results revealed that India students from Malaysia had a cultural identify issue that they were steeped in India culture. This phenomenon affected the process of adaptation during their stay in Palembang. In terms of social interaction, they were still influenced by the habits which they applied in India. So even though their residents were Malaysia and Indonesia particularly Palembang, the students still used a very strong Indian ethnic values, and it was quite difficult for them to adept in Palembang with Malay and Islamic culture.