Q&A: Indonesian visiting scholar explores Southeast Asian Muslim culture, identity in Canadian society

In the three months Dr. Yuyun Sunesti (PhD) spent at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the colder weather was one of the biggest challenges she experienced.

Sunesti is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) in Surakarta, Indonesia. She arrived at the USask College of Arts and Science in September to observe how Muslim immigrants from Southeast Asia adapt and integrate their cultural identities in Saskatoon.

Her visit was funded through an inaugural fellowship by the Canadian Southeast Asian Studies Initiative / Initiative canadienne pour l’étude du sud-est asiatique (CSEASI/ICESEA).

CSEASI/ICESEA aims to build capacity and raise awareness about Southeast Asian studies in nine Canadian universities, including USask. The initiative supports pedagogy, graduate training, research and outreach, and facilitates cross-cultural academic exchanges between Canadian universities and partner institutions across Southeast Asia.

The College of Arts and Science asked Dr. Yuyun Sunesti about her CSEASI experience and her three-month experience in Saskatoon.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

College of Arts and Science: How did you learn about the CSEASI fellowship?

Dr. Yuyun Sunesti (PhD): I learned about the CSEASI fellowship program through my academic network, particularly from friends in the field of Southeast Asian studies.

This program caught my attention due to its focus on fostering cooperation between Canada and Southeast Asia. Moreover, as a consortium of nine universities in Canada, it offers a broad scope for institutional collaboration, which means I will have the opportunity to expand my network significantly.

I decided to apply in early 2024, and after going through the selection process, I am grateful to have been accepted as the first participant in this program. I would like to especially thank Dr. Susanna Barnes (PhD), who is in charge of this program at the University of Saskatchewan. Her support has been invaluable in helping me to carry out this program smoothly and successfully.

A&S: During your CSEASI fellowship, you planned on studying themes of identity and cultural integration among Southeast Asian Muslims in Saskatoon. What were some of your observations/outcomes of your studies?

Sunesti: In this brief research, I aimed to explore how Muslim immigrants from Southeast Asia adapt and integrate into Canadian society, which is multicultural and significantly different from Indonesian culture.

Indonesian culture emphasizes collectivism, influencing religious practices that are often communal and take place in public settings. In Indonesia, religious activities are typically conducted together, supported by social structures and community ties.

In contrast, Canada views religion as a private matter, not a dominant aspect of public life. This difference presents challenges for Southeast Asian Muslims, particularly Indonesians, in negotiating their religious identity. They strive to maintain their Muslim identity while also integrating into the pluralistic Canadian society.

However, Indonesian Muslim immigrants in Saskatoon demonstrate a remarkable ability to adapt. This adaptability stems from their background in a tolerant, open, and moderate Indonesian culture.

A&S: What was it like to work and collaborate with colleagues in the Department of Anthropology at USask?

Sunesti: During my time here, I collaborated with several lecturers on various academic activities, ranging from guest lecture exchanges to joint research projects.

For the guest lecture exchange, two lecturers from the USask Department of Anthropology delivered lectures in our Sociology of Religion and Sociology of Gender courses at the UNS Sociology Department. In return, I also gave lectures in the Introduction to Anthropology course at the University of Saskatchewan and presented public lectures at the Department of Anthropology.

In terms of joint collaboration, Dr. Barnes and I conducted short research in Saskatoon, focusing on the Southeast Asian Muslim immigrant community and their strategies for adapting to life in Canada.

Working with colleagues in the anthropology department, including both lecturers and administrative staff, has been a truly enjoyable experience. They welcomed me warmly, always full of smiles, and I felt very much a part of this department during my three-month stay. The staff were incredibly generous in assisting me with both academic and non-academic matters.

I noticed that the academic atmosphere here is quite similar to that of my campus in Indonesia. Fellow lecturers at both institutions share a passion for academic work and are dedicated to supporting students with their educational needs. The primary difference I observed was the campus atmosphere here, which is quieter and calmer compared to my busy campus back home.

A&S: How was your CSEASI fellowship experience overall?

Sunesti: My experience as a CSEASI fellow has been both academically and personally enriching. This program has provided me the opportunity to gain valuable academic experience at a Canadian university and to meet many scholars from diverse research interests. These interactions have broadened my academic horizons and will undoubtedly be beneficial for my future academic career.

Additionally, this program will strengthen my institution's relationships with international partner universities, such as the University of Saskatchewan and other Canadian universities within CSEASI consortium.

The fellowship can also open up opportunities for further academic collaborations, including joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and the development of more global curriculum.

Through my involvement in this program, I hope to serve as a bridge between UNS and academic institutions in Canada, particularly in exploring collaborative projects that have a positive impact on both sides.

The biggest challenge, and yet an extraordinary experience, for me has been the weather. Coming from a tropical country with warm temperatures year-round, experiencing winter with temperatures dropping to -35 degrees has been a real struggle. While it is a significant challenge, I really enjoy it, because I love gaining new experiences in my life.

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