INTRODUCTION


In today`s times there are more people than ever living apart from their families and hometowns. With the advent of current technology such as the internet, there are more means than ever to maintain communication.

But being an international student and living away from my family and home, I have come to realise that there is something that is missing from current means of long distance communication tools. I believe that although it is quite easy to maintain communication between people living far distances, sometimes it is the emotional connection that is missing between me and the feelings that I get from being connected to the people and the places that i grew up in.

This thesis will explore how the design of a new long distance communication tool can express this emotional connection between people living apart from their family and hometown.

The main areas of research that this thesis will explore are transitions of long distance communication tools, what is missing in communication tools today, demographic transitions between people and place, the value that has changed for the family unit and living apart, psychological needs of people living away from home, the international student and their increased feelings of homesickness and nostalgia, belonging to a place, and what design opportunities can be presented from cultural and social precedents