Religious experiences of Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian international students: A case study at the University of Minnesota.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Utilizing hermeneutical phenomenology, this study discovers the themes which denominate the essence of the religious experiences of religiously-committed and active Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian international students in the US. In 2004, 26 international students at the University of Minnesota were interviewed: individually, six Buddhists, nine Muslims, and seven Christians, and, as a separate focus group, four more Christians. The research was framed within the international educational context, focusing on the dynamics and distinctives of international students' religious experience in their encounters with US American society, the US academy, adherents of other worldviews, and other sojourners. Along with the themes, basic typologies were proposed for each religious group.
For Buddhist international students, three themes emerge: (a) religion as a means to academic success, (b) confidence in the open-mindedness of Buddhism, and (c) limiting religious practice. Typologically, Buddhists are either reflective practitioners or social syncretists.
Six themes emerge from the religious experience of Muslim international students: (a) growing religious awareness, (b) struggling to maintain a vital religious life, (c) developing an Islamic apologetic, (d) heightened Islamic identity, (e) appreciating the pluralism of the US university, and (f) critically reflecting on religion. Typologically, Muslims are either confident ambassadors or constructive critics.
The religious experience of Christian international students is marked by six themes: (a) dependence upon God, (b) valuing US American Christians, (c) tension between Christian and academic values, (d) proselytizing academic colleagues and ethnically-similar sojourners, (e) critical reflection on one's faith, and (f) a sense of responsibility for one's homeland and elsewhere. Typologically, Christians are either transformed visionaries or personal renewalists.
A supplementary phenomenology of Christian conversion among international students uncovered six themes: (a) social support and practical assistance from US Americans, (b) incorporation into a community of Christians, (c) honest, critical inquiry, (d) paradigm-transforming event(s), (e) validity markers, and (f) enhanced spirituality.
The results were examined theoretically, utilizing comparisons, constructs, and existing theory about the emotional intensity of intercultural experiences as well as the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity. Policy recommendations are advanced, along with suggestions for further research.