Place attachment & belonging of Christian and Muslim students in Yogyakarta. A qualitative study on the experiences of students with a different religious background. Their attachement & belonging to their learning and living environment and the influence of religious diversity

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2017-08-30
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en
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This study investigates the experiences of Christian and Muslim students in Indonesia. It focuses on their attachment and belonging to their learning and living environment and the influence of religious diversity. Twenty-two students from three different types of universities in Yogyakarta participated in this research. The findings show that both Christian and Muslim students do feel attached to their university and mention similar factors that influence their attachment and belonging to this place. Although Christians experience more oppression from the religious imagery within national society which complicates their daily religious practices, their degree of belonging to their campus is similar to that of Muslims students. Within the city of Yogyakarta, the religious and cultural differences become more visible making it more difficult to adapt to this environment, causing their connection with the city is less present. The results of this research also demonstrate the religion of students and the religious climate of the campus are of influence to the extent they encounter people with a different belief. While the majority of participants showed a more open attitude towards religious diversity based on their lived experiences, the great importance of religion within the Indonesian culture might divide people in potential groups and shows challenges in governing and practicing religion still remain.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen