Empowering Second-Generation Migrants: A Study on Intercultural Communication Between Facilitators and Beneficiaries at a Non-Formal Educational Institution in Malaysia

Abstract

A number of Indonesian migrant workers married and had children in the host country, Malaysia. Their children are referred to as "second-generation migrants." The Faculty of Psychology and Socio-cultural Sciences, Universitas Islam Indonesia, initiated the FPSB International Mobility Program, designating the second-generation migrants as beneficiaries and the university students as the facilitators. Through this program, the researcher observed the intercultural communication between facilitators and beneficiaries, examined the cultural context of Indonesian second-generation migrants in Malaysia, and explored the impact and empowering outcomes of the program. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, content and textual analysis, document analysis, and participatory observation. This study reflects on Samovar et al. 's (2013) of interpreting intercultural communication from three key points: individual uniqueness, generalizing, and objectivity. The findings indicate that intercultural communication requires acknowledging the inherent differences among human beings by involving mutual understanding, constant adaptation, and awareness. Instead of searching for the similarities, understanding the differences is the key. This program demonstrates that intercultural communication can function as a pivotal mechanism in providing support to marginalized communities, particularly second-generation migrants who encounter barriers to formal education, which then became an empowerment that analyzed through equality of access to education, participation, self-resilience, and capacity building. Thus, this study proposes a model for nurturing intercultural communication to empower the society. It offers benefits not only to the educational institutions and sociologists but also to future empowerment facilitators.