PROSES ADAPTASI SOSIAL MAHASISWA PERANTAU ASAL LOMBOK TIMUR DI LINGKUNGAN MASYARAKAT LOKAL (Studi komunikasi Antarbudaya Mahasiswa Lombok Timur di Kelurahan Tlogomas, kecamatan Lowokwaru, Kota Malang)

This research aims to understand the social adaptation process of migrant students from
East Lombok within the local community of Tlogomas Subdistrict, Malang City. The
cultural diversity arising from student mobility creates dynamic intercultural
communication that is worth exploring. This study employs a qualitative approach with a
communication ethnography method, using Young Yun Kim’s Cross-Cultural Adaptation
Theory and Mark Orbe’s Co-Cultural Communication Theory as analytical frameworks.
Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, introspection,
and documentation involving eight East Lombok students living in Tlogomas.
The findings reveal that the students experience several stages of social adaptation: preadaptation, culture shock, adjustment, recovery, and integration. Throughout this process,
they adopt nonassertive, assertive, and aggressive co-cultural communication strategies to
navigate cultural differences and establish social relations with the predominantly Javanese
local community. Supporting factors for adaptation include social support, cultural
openness, and a welcoming environment, while barriers include stereotypes, language gaps,
and differing values. This study highlights the importance of intercultural communication
in shaping an effective social adaptation process for migrant students in multicultural
settings.