Risking Relationships

Navigating Tensions Between Student Religion and Local Context

Abstract

A student on a U.S. government funded program is found to be handing out Christian conversion cards to rickshaw drivers with her fellow housemate and program participant present, and after the program's Resident Director instructs the student to refrain from such activity, the participant initially agrees but does not follow through. As the situation worsens, the RD advises the U.S.-based staff to send the student back to the U.S. but they decline to do so. This case study poses questions for discussion in considering this and similar situations.