I’ve learned from this tutorial that my project needs to make a stronger link between homesickness, the evidence, and the intervention I’m creating.
My current study investigates how Chinese expatriates may use touch, smell, and things to cope with homesickness. Up until now, a large portion of the project has evolved from my personal experience studying overseas and my observations of others. Although this personal beginning is significant, I came to the conclusion that the project’s broader assertions cannot be supported solely by personal experience.
One crucial conversation concerned how I perceived safety and homesickness. I had previously associated homesickness with feelings of loneliness, nervousness, and being uncomfortable. But I was forced to consider whether these emotions are truly the same during the tutorial. It is possible for someone to feel insecure without experiencing homesickness or to feel comfortable but still experience homesickness. I realized that I had blended a number of distinct emotional experiences too rapidly as a result.
Going future, I must define homesickness more precisely by conducting scholarly study and having direct discussions with my stakeholders. I could ask people more honestly, “When do you feel homesick?” instead of making assumptions about what homesickness is like. For you, what does homesickness mean? What items, scents, locations, or experiences come to mind when you think of home?
My intervention is the subject of another crucial reflection. In order to provide emotional support, especially for Gen Z overseas students, I have been creating a unique character and stuffed animal. But I came to the realization that I had assumed that soft toys are inherently calming to young people. I started to doubt the reasoning for this choice after watching the tutorial. How might I convince an investor that a plush item is actually a suitable way to deal with homesickness rather than just a design choice based on my personal taste?
This alters my perception of the project’s next phase. I should utilize action research to determine whether my current notion is correct rather than attempting to prove it.
Therefore, I will strengthen the initiative in two ways as my next move. I’ll start by delving deeper into the topics of homesickness, belonging, sensory memory, and emotional attachment to items. Instead of depending solely on materials that support my preconceived notions, I will also consult the course librarian to find pertinent academic resources.
Second, I’ll keep using stakeholders to test the intervention. In addition to determining whether participants enjoy the character or plush item, I also want to know why it makes them feel comfortable, when they would use it, what they would associate with it, and whether touch or aroma affects their emotional reaction.
I became more conscious of my place in the research as a result of the instruction. I am both the researcher and, in a sense, a stakeholder because this project started with my own experience of studying overseas. Instead of eliminating my experience entirely, I must identify the ways in which it shapes my presumptions and consistently contrast them with data from other sources.
After this tutorial, my largest change has been from creating a solution based on what I believe people need to creating an intervention based on what I can learn from them. The character, stuffed animal, and aroma shouldn’t be considered the definitive response just yet. They are instruments that enable me to explore the experience of homesickness and the ways in which sensory items could foster a sense of belonging.
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