Ethnic identity formation is an interactive process by which individuals engage with community members and others in society (Svensson, Berne, and Syed Citation2018). Identity formation begins at birth and continues throughout one's lifespan (Erikson Citation1994). Ethnicity is the product of shaping and reshaping ethnic and cultural activities of the place of origin that define one’s culture and identity.

Enculturation is a lifelong and the most essential process that makes a person a social and cultural being. It is the degree to which a person adheres to the values and behaviours of an indigenous or ethnic culture (Del Prado and Church Citation2010).

At present, the aspiration for higher education abroad has encouraged many Malayalee youths to find slots in educational institutions in North America, Europe, various regions of Asia, Australia, etc. (Zachariah and Sebastian Citation2016).