Assimilation among Multiracial Students at Berjaya University College

Assimilation, in broad terms, refers to the sociological and cultural process by which individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds are integrated into the prevailing or predominant culture of a society by abandoning their own culture. However, in this study, assimilation is defined as the process of embracing the cultural practices of others without losing our own identity. In multicultural societies, assimilation plays a critical role in facilitating social integration. However, students from multiple racial backgrounds may encounter difficulties in assimilating into the wider cultural context due to many reasons. In line with this situation, this study aims to assess assimilation among multiracial students at a private college in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by using a component of social integration which is assimilation. Employing 85 students as research respondents, this study utilised both a questionnaire and a focus group study to collect data. The findings reveal that generally students felt comfortable to interact with other people of different racial backgrounds such as participating in cultural activities of other racial groups at college. Nevertheless in certain situations, students expressed discomfort with wearing costumes that represent racial groups different from their own.