As stated in my learning contract, I connect this community with social capital theory. The Hallians community suits the theory very well due to the fact that firstly, their identities are exclusive as well as homogenous. That is why I categorized them in bonding social capital.
Hallians are exclusive because not everyone can just join the group. It is exclusive to only the students who stay in Malaysia Hall. Even those living outside who befriends the Hallians are not automatically included in the community. They would be just friends or acquaintances of the Hallians. Not only that, they are homogenous because they do things and activities together. Living in Malaysia Hall requires them to do chores such as cooking, cleaning as well as volunteering to help organizing all events held in the hall or somewhere else.
Putnam said that, “… social capital refers to connections among individuals—social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them. In that sense social capital is closely related to what some have called “civic virtue””. Trustworthiness is one of the values the Hallians build during their stay in the hall together. Through their shared experiences, they develop the value and that made them even more closer like a one big family.
Looking at the answers from the interview I had with all of them, they practically said the same thing. When asked what the other Hallians mean to them, they said that they are like brothers and sisters that makes up a big family. Another question asked involves their opinions and feelings on how unique their community is. To sum up their answers, they are unique because they are among the selected students who come from different backgrounds, races, religions and other things, who get to live in Malaysia Hall Melbourne. One of them said, “We function as a singular body”. It shows how much they rely on each other and they work as one regardless their personalities.
The Hallians are great people. They are nice, friendly people and they will always be Hallians no matter what happens.
