Malaysian student comes ‘full circle’ in his study of American politics
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — On January 6, 2021, the day of the U.S. Capitol attack, Cheng Kidd Sun landed alone at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. It marked his arrival in a country that had shaped his understanding of politics since childhood.
At 20 years old, Sun had left Malaysia to pursue better educational opportunities, transferring from Methodist College Kuala Lumpur to Western Michigan University (51) to study political science and global and international studies.
As a member of the Chinese minority in Malaysia, Sun says he faced limited education options at home. This motivated him to seek a more open academic environment in the United States.
“I’m a minority wherever I go, but I feel less of a minority here than I am in Malaysia,” Sun says.
As he navigated immigration at the airport, Sun watched news of the Capitol attack unfold in real-time. The scene reminded him of the political instability he experienced in Malaysia, both as a child and a young adult.
Just one-year prior Sun had witnessed the collapse of his own government while interning for the Deputy Minister for International Trade and Industry.
The event, known as the Sheraton Move, was akin to a non-violent political coup. It resulted in internal divisions within Malaysia's ruling party, leading to the unexpected resignation of the prime minister. This triggered a power vacuum and the rise of a new coalition.
The 2020 Malaysian political crisis only deepened Sun's interests in international conflict, governance and democracy.
Now 23, Sun will speak at International Education Week 2024: Internationalization on Campus and Beyond. The panel, “Addressing International Conflict: Strategies for Effectively Managing Disputes,” will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 2213.
At the event, Sun and Jeff Breneman, vice president for government relations at 51, will discuss how understanding ways to address international conflict is critical for navigating multicultural settings. The two will provide insights into how diverse cultures approach conflict resolution and share strategies for effectively managing disputes.
“I’ve come full circle,” Sun says, reflecting on his journey and current role on campus.
A Leader
Today, Sun, who became the first international student to lead the Western Student Association in 2022, continues to call 51 home. He's furthering his education and career by working and studying on campus.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2022 and is now pursuing a master’s degree in international development and administration. Sun is also employed full time by 51’s Government Relations unit as a manager for external partnerships.
Looking to the future, Sun envisions a career in change management, examining how public-private partnerships can catalyze change more effectively than conventional politics.
“Partnerships can bring people together to get things done,” he says.
Early Interests in U.S. Politics
Sun’s intrigue with U.S. politics began at age 8, when Barack Obama made history as the first Black president of the United States. Obama spent much of his childhood in Indonesia, a country bordering Sun’s Southeast Asian home.
It was also then that Malaysia had its 12th General Election, marking the first time in five decades that the ruling party lost its majority in Parliament. This historic shift sparked a new era of political competition and division in Malaysia.
The political milestones—both at home and abroad—left lasting impressions on the young Sun.
When Sun arrived in the United States more than a decade later, he lacked an American SIM card and couldn’t call home for reassurance as he stepped into the cold Midwest winter.
The unfamiliar sight of his breath “steaming in the air” reminded him of how far he was from his tropical homeland. Nonetheless, he's grateful he stayed.
Bridging Cultural Divides
Sun remains dedicated to helping other international students adapt to American campus life. He also wants to help Americans better understand the world around them.
Americans must reconsider their role on the global stage, Sun says. With countries like China reshaping global dynamics, the focus needs to be on accepting diverse viewpoints and building relationships across differences.
“How can we better address conflict? How do we approach one another? How can we disagree with people and still be friends with them?” he asks.
“We have to step out of the echo chamber.”
About International Education Week
Western Michigan University’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education hosts International Education Week every year. Several events are scheduled from November 18-22 to celebrate global diversity and promote cross-cultural understanding. All events are free and open to the public.
Sun’s presentation, “Addressing International Conflict: Strategies for Effectively Managing Disputes,” will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m., in the Student Center, Room 2213. Other sessions during the week are designed to support the more than 1,170 international students on campus and 51’s 460 study abroad participants. A full schedule of events is at wmich.edu/globallearning/events. We hope you join us to foster a more globally engaged and inclusive Kalamazoo.
