<![CDATA[As the largest contributor to the global pool of international students, China’s position as a destination for international study has risen significantly over the past decade, in line with its advancements in various fields. This article examines Indonesian Muslim students' motivations and learning experiences pursuing their studies at Chinese universities. Using in-depth interviews with 20 Indonesian Muslim students currently studying at, and alumni of, Chinese universities, this study explores how the motivations and experiences of Indonesian students with Islamic religious identities have influenced their decision to study at Chinese universities in recent years. The findings reveal that Indonesian Muslim students' motivations are diverse, with scholarship opportunities as the primary driver. Additional motivations include China’s rapid economic development and the alignment of their studies with career aspirations. Their learning experiences as Muslims on campus are predominantly positive, as they encounter a competitive, disciplined, and open academic environment. Unlike some previous studies that have documented religious discrimination against international Muslim students in non-Muslim-majority countries, this study found no reported experiences of such discrimination among its Indonesian Muslim students in China.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
