A mobile phone game was developed by academics at the University of Portsmouth specifically for helping international students cope with 'culture shock' and university life in Britain.It includes moments of cultural awakening like going to the pub or watching people being affectionate to each other in public. The mobile game is dubbed 'C-Shock' and was developed by University of Portsmouth's academic and games technology expert Nipan Maniar, that had arrived in the UK from India as an International student five years ago.
According to him, the game would be a sort of 'e-mother' for new students and is meant to make them accustomed to the habits and culture of people from the UK.
"I thought it would be great to have a learning vehicle or device to help people overcome the culture shock because if you have not experienced such things before, it's hard to know how to react or behave appropriately", Nipan said.
Along with his research, assistant Dr. Emily Bennett, Nipan developed the prototype of the mobile game after consulting with the University's International Office and British Council.
The game follows an international student arriving in the UK for the first time, on his/her first day at the university. The student will be shown a map of the campus and given tasks to find specific locations. Clicking on images along the way will warn the student about what to expect, pointing out, for example, that showing affection in public is acceptable.
Other important information, such as police and emergency phone numbers, is also included. C-Shock is in its final stages of development and should become available for download through the University of Portsmouth website later this year.
According to him, the game would be a sort of 'e-mother' for new students and is meant to make them accustomed to the habits and culture of people from the UK.
"I thought it would be great to have a learning vehicle or device to help people overcome the culture shock because if you have not experienced such things before, it's hard to know how to react or behave appropriately", Nipan said.
Along with his research, assistant Dr. Emily Bennett, Nipan developed the prototype of the mobile game after consulting with the University's International Office and British Council.
The game follows an international student arriving in the UK for the first time, on his/her first day at the university. The student will be shown a map of the campus and given tasks to find specific locations. Clicking on images along the way will warn the student about what to expect, pointing out, for example, that showing affection in public is acceptable.
Other important information, such as police and emergency phone numbers, is also included. C-Shock is in its final stages of development and should become available for download through the University of Portsmouth website later this year.
