Mitigation of Homesickness in International Students Through an Immersive User Experience in Virtual Reality
UX Maturity:
Level 5 (Integrated)
Timeline:
October 2023 - March 2024
Role:
Master Thesis
Problem
Homesickness is a prevalent issue among international students, often manifesting in feelings of isolation, anxiety, and disconnection from one’s cultural roots. The challenge was to develop a VR-based intervention that could help alleviate these feelings, particularly for students from culturally diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the project aimed to explore how different levels of immersion—from static slideshows to full VR experiences—impact emotional engagement and connection to home.
Design Process
Study Design
Step 1 - Preliminary Survey: The preliminary survey was conducted to gather data on how homesickness manifests in international students and the strategies they use to cope with it. This phase used both quantitative and qualitative questions, allowing for thematic analysis of open-ended responses. Key themes included feelings of isolation, cultural disconnection, and reliance on family and cultural traditions to mitigate the effects of homesickness.
Themes & Word Cloud
Step 2 - Slideshow Experience: Participants were shown a 5-minute slideshow featuring images from Lahore, Pakistan, designed to evoke a sense of home. Following the slideshow, participants completed a survey assessing their emotional responses, such as their connection to home, comfort levels, and perceived homesickness.
A Few Examples of the Slideshow Content
Step 3 - VR Experience: Participants were then exposed to a fully immersive 360-degree VR experience, showing culturally relevant scenes from Lahore. The aim was to compare how the slideshow and VR experiences affected their emotional connection to home and to assess the added value of immersion.
2D Depiction of 360° VR Content
Step 4 - Post-Experience Surveys: After each experience (slideshow and VR), participants completed detailed surveys to measure emotional responses. Quantitative data, including ratings on homesickness, emotional connection, and user experience, were collected. The results were analyzed using ANOVA to explore the differences between the static and immersive experiences, as well as between Pakistani and non-Pakistani students.
Solution
Content Creation: The solution involved creating a 360-degree VR experience featuring key cultural landmarks and daily life in Lahore, Pakistan. The content ranged from bustling city streets to quiet courtyards, providing a balanced representation of home environments.
Study Design: The study involved two phases: the preliminary survey, which focused on understanding the manifestations of homesickness and coping mechanisms among international students, and the main study, which explored the impact of immersive VR experiences on emotional connection.
Assessment: Homesickness levels were measured at various stages, comparing the emotional impact of static slideshows and immersive VR environments. The study used a combination of qualitative insights and quantitative analysis to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
Outcome
Enhanced Emotional Engagement: The immersive VR experience was significantly more emotionally engaging than the static slideshow, helping users connect more deeply with a sense of home.
Cultural Resonance: Pakistani students felt a stronger connection to the VR experience due to familiar cultural elements, highlighting the power of culturally tailored content.
Broader Impact on International Students: Both Pakistani and other international students reported feeling closer to home, suggesting that immersive experiences can universally support emotional well-being, though cultural specificity enhances impact.
Homesickness Level Comparison at Different Stages of the Study
Emotional Connection Comparison between Slideshow and VR Experience