- Oct 9th tutorial with George
- Bring expert in this project o solve the problem that I can not solve by myself on this platform.
- Start to make a sketch of the structure of this platform.
- According to the list I made, I should check if the information I had get enough.
- After I find out which information I need to get help from experts and figure out how can I get these information.
Reflection:
I learned something from George that I think could help with any project. It’s about making a comprehensive list of all the troubles we have right now. This list will be about what problems and obstruction I had or the society had at present according to the second hand research and the feedback from people who join the intervention.
First, I’ll look at what other people have already found out – that’s what we call ‘second-hand research’ because someone else figured it out first. Then, I’ll talk to people who are our target groups. They can tell us about things we might not notice.
Putting together all this information will make a really good list. It’ll be like a guide that shows us where things are messy, so we can avoid making mistakes. It’s like when you make a grocery list so you don’t forget to buy something important at the store.Also, it makes sure we’re not just making wild guesses about problems. We’re being smart and making sure we’ve thought of everything. Then, when we start working on the project, we can be sure we didn’t forget anything. This makes everything easier and better.
2. Talk with stakeholders from the experienced side:
Reflection: I went to talk to the stakeholders about this project, I told myself not to make assumption what they might need or want from it. I wanted to hear it straight from them without my ideas getting in the way. But, deep down, I couldn’t help thinking that maybe they would like the idea of exchanging skills with each other.
After I actually sat down and chatted with them, I realized that even my small guesses could change how everything turns out. What I learned is that I should really just listen and not let my own thoughts sneak in. That way, what they tell me is what they really think and feel, not what I expect them to say. Even a little bit assumption may affect the outcome of the process.
3. Oct 16th tutorial with George
- Change the names of the block. Basic information — Practical information (because basic means simple and easy stuff, but the information I put in this block is more than easy. It is about practicality). Psychology — Mental health and emotional support (because psychology is the name of study. What this project is looking at stuff under psychology which are mental health, experiences and so on.
- Try to think of the tittle for the project. It is an important part of the project because this is how people going to remember about the project.
- We need to understand people may have different capability of issues, like bank account information. These issues may not be related to common sense.
- For how to build connections, I can break down this process. For the first stage, I could do some research about the similar applications. And then, I need to do some research by talking to the consultants. Last but not least, test the draft with stakeholders.
Reflection:
Firstly, when selecting titles or descriptions for different blocks of the project, careful consideration must be given to the meaning and implications of the words chosen. The terminology needs to accurately reflect the content and purpose of the section.
Secondly, tittle speaks a lot.It’s not just a name but a banner under which all the work is presented. It serves as a powerful tool for engagement, recognition, and recall(Alonzi, 2018). A compelling title can intrigue and draw people in, while also providing a quick understanding of the project’s focus. Research into effective titling strategies emphasizes the importance of clarity, memorability, and relevance. Titles that resonate with the target audience and reflect the project’s core benefits have a lasting impact and can significantly contribute to the project’s success(Sera, 2022). This is why dedicating time to craft a thoughtful and impactful title is an essential step in the project design process.
Reference:
Alonzi, A. (2018). How to Write a Good Project Title. [online] proposalforNGOs. Available at: https://proposalsforngos.com/how-to-write-a-good-project-title/.
Sera, S. (2022). Why Should I Name a Project? 3 Benefits for Your Team. [online] Atomic Spin. Available at: https://spin.atomicobject.com/2022/03/15/project-name/#:~:text= [Accessed 23 Nov. 2023].
4. Reflection of the whole project
When I almost finish my project and come up with this application as the solution of it, I get back to do some reflection on my research question again according to Richard’s reminder. I thought it is necessary that we need to go back to the original question often to make sure we are on the right track.
I have already did the research about what is cross cultural adaptation and how people evaluate if they have achieved it. Cross-cultural adaptation refers to the process by which individuals adjust to and integrate into a culture different from their own, including aspects like language proficiency, understanding and adopting local customs and norms, building social networks, and achieving psychological comfort in the new environment. Evaluating whether one has achieved cross-cultural adaptation is complex and subjective, as it involves a spectrum of experiences and adjustments. Typically, indicators such as effective communication skills, participation in local social and cultural activities, forming relationships with members of the host culture, and a sense of psychological well-being are considered signs of successful adaptation(Wang,2018). However, there is no one-size-fits-all metric, and individuals often assess their own level of adaptation based on personal goals, satisfaction, and comfort within the new cultural context. This self-reflection, combined with external observations and feedback, can provide a comprehensive view of one’s adaptation journey.
And I tried to mock some scenarios to find out if they achieve cross cultural adaptation. For example, if a person only wants to live in London. His English is not good enough to talk to local people but enough for him to buy stuff or navigate around here. He doesn’t want to get involved in local cultural activity, and only hang out with people from his country. But these capabilities are enough for him, and he think he lives well in this country. Can we call him achieved cross cultural adaptation? I asked some people this question. Some people thinks that it could be called he has achieved cross cultural adaptation, because this person is satisfied with the situation. Some people don’t agree. One of the participants give me the idea of functional adaptation, which I also got from some of the feedback of the application. Therefore, I did more research on this.
I find out the definition of functional adaptation: The individual has adapted sufficiently to meet their basic needs and live independently in the new environment(Arestad et al., 2017). This includes having enough language proficiency to handle daily transactions like buying goods and ordering food. If the person feels content with this level of adaptation and it meets their needs, this can be considered a successful functional adaptation. However, choosing not to engage with the local culture or community and primarily socialising with people from their own country suggests a limited level of social and cultural integration.
Therefore, the functional adaptation could be considered a fundamental aspect or initial stage of cross-cultural adaptation. It forms the basis on which deeper levels of cultural adaptation can be built. Once an individual has achieved functional adaptation, they have a stable base from which to explore and integrate more deeply into the new culture. Without this foundational level, deeper engagement with the host culture can be more challenging(Sheng, Dai and Lei, 2022). However, the process of people pursuing functional adaptation could help with people have a more deeper understanding of the cultural adaptation. Being able to function effectively in everyday situations could unpurposely help people have a deeper cultural understanding.
Therefore, as the reflection on my project and my application. I recognize that cross-cultural adaptation is a complex process that encompasses aspects like language proficiency, social integration, cultural understanding, and psychological adjustment. According to the feedback and the testing result, I think my application could be helpful. Firstly, it plays a pivotal role in helping sojourners manage daily life challenges in a new country, laying the groundwork for deeper adaptation. Also, some parts also provide the chance for people to gain essential agencies for achieving the cultural adaptation. Typically, cross-cultural adaptation implies a deeper engagement with the host culture, including building relationships with locals, participating in cultural activities, and a broader understanding and acceptance of cultural norms and values. This application provide people the opportunity to make connections and gain skills. But maybe in the following steps after graduation if I am going to continue this project. I should try to add more part that could help with the cultural adaptation part more directly.
In conclusion, I know that adaptation is a subjective experience and varies greatly from person to person. What constitutes sufficient or successful adaptation can differ based on individual goals, needs, and perspectives. An important aspect of any form of adaptation is the individual’s personal satisfaction and sense of well-being. If the person feels happy and comfortable with their lifestyle in London, this is a positive outcome in terms of personal adaptation.
Reference:
Arestad, K.E., MacPhee, D., Lim, C.Y. and Khetani, M.A. (2017). Cultural adaptation of a pediatric functional assessment for rehabilitation outcomes research. BMC Health Services Research, 17(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2592-6.
Sheng, L., Dai, J. and Lei, J. (2022). The impacts of academic adaptation on psychological and sociocultural adaptation among international students in China: The moderating role of friendship. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 89, pp.79–89. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2022.06.001.
Wang, Q. (2018). Studying cognitive development in cultural context: A multi-level analysis approach. Developmental Review, 50, pp.54–64. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2018.03.002.