During the last intervention, besides understanding the specific concerns of the target group and establishing one-on-one connections with them, I also identified some shortcomings, such as the inability to provide precise assistance and the mobility of the audience (some have returned to their home country). After discussing with experts from graduate support, I realized a significant issue is the gap between Chinese art graduates and school resources – many remain silent and do not utilize the school’s offerings. Graduate support resources are also not specifically tailored for Chinese international students. Hence, my project has reached a crossroads: should I continue focusing on the mental balance of individuals during the transition period, or should I work to bridge the gap between Chinese art graduates and school resources? Below is a SWOT analysis for both directions.
After analyzing, I’ve realized that these two directions can support each other. For instance, insights gained from communicating with experts and school resources can offer trusted sources for the target audience, and the specific concerns of the students can aid the school’s initiatives. However, this has also led to my current dilemma of struggling to weigh which direction should be prioritized. As my tutor Zuleika pointed out, opportunities often lie within weaknesses, and the key is how to transform. I believe there’s a lack of creativity in my current intervention, so integrating innovative approaches into my project will be my next focus. My current confusion stems from wanting to maximize the project’s value but it hasn’t wavered my goal to assist transitioning Chinese international art graduates. I’ll continue reading and researching to gain clearer direction for the next steps.