Week 58: Wednesday 12th February [13:00-15:00]
= Development Consultation
Independent Study
Tasks:
- Everyone is invited to contribute talking points to our Development Consultation agenda document [here]. These should be specific issues you are facing and need advice on. Please make sure that you have submitted your points by end-of-day on Tuesday 11th February.
- One self-elected student to organise the agenda points once they have been submitted (e.g. on the morning of Wednesday 12th February) / or to structure the agenda document with sub-section areas.
- Re-read our Critical Friend agreement document from Week 55 [here].
Read + Watch + Listen + Prepare:
- TBC. These resources will be light and positive. No heavy reading.
Live Sessions
Collectively working through your co-authored agenda document, we will look at the various delivery associated challenges your projects are facing and begin posing solutions or alternative ways of approach. Please make sure you have added your points to the agenda, and we encourage one student to coordinate / arrange the order so that points are grouped where there is an overlap.
Please remember that we encourage a communal feedback structure where everyone is welcome to provide ideas and support. We also prompt using case-studies to illustrate your ideas. E.g. “maybe you should look at this project, they did [action] which might be applicable to your problem”.
Continuing with my project!!!!!
“What’s something that’s been on your mind lately?” – This is open-ended, non-threatening, and gives people the freedom to share anything, big or small.
“If you could tell the world one thing right now, what would it be?” – Makes people feel like their voice matters and invites a mix of deep or lighthearted responses.
“When was the last time you felt truly seen or understood?” – This taps into the theme of identity and connection, tying in beautifully with you drawing them.
“What’s a piece of advice you’ve received that stuck with you?” – Encourages storytelling and reflection while feeling positive and inviting.
“What do you wish more people knew about you?” – Gets to the heart of personal identity and could spark meaningful conversations.
“What’s something about your culture that you wish more people understood?”
– This invites people to reflect on their background and opens up space for intercultural exchange.
“What does ‘home’ mean to you?”
– This taps into personal and cultural identity, evoking different interpretations based on experiences, migration, family, and belonging.
“What’s a tradition or cultural practice that’s important to you?”
– Encourages people to share something meaningful about their heritage.
“Have you ever felt like an outsider? If so, when?”
– This question directly engages with themes of positionality, belonging, and identity.
“What’s a piece of wisdom from your culture that you carry with you?”
– Allows for storytelling and could generate poetic, heartfelt, or humorous responses.
“If you had to describe your culture in one word, what would it be?”
– Simple yet effective, and it sparks curiosity.
“Have you ever been in a place where you felt like you didn’t quite belong? What was it about that place that made you feel that way?”
“Have you ever been somewhere that made you feel like you stood out? What was different about it?”
This invites people to reflect on cultural differences without making it obvious that’s what you’re asking.
It allows for a wide range of answers—some may mention language, customs, or even the way people interact in public spaces.
“What’s something that felt completely normal to you growing up, but then you realized it’s not the same everywhere?”
Encourages reflection on cultural norms and differences without making it feel like an interview.
Could spark stories about food, greetings, social behaviors, etc.
“What’s something about the way people interact here that feels different from other places you’ve been?”
Perfect for capturing the contrast between London’s fast-paced, individualistic vibe and Nicosia’s close-knit, community-driven atmosphere.
“Have you ever been in a place where you weren’t sure how to act? What happened?”
This could lead to funny or deep responses about social expectations, cultural faux pas, or even just the feeling of being new somewhere.
“Do you feel like people in this city are connected to each other? Why or why not?”
Could bring up the difference between London’s anonymity and Nicosia’s strong sense of community.
Allows people to express whether they feel a sense of belonging or isolation.
“What’s something small that makes you feel at home in a new place?”
Encourages people to think about what gives a city its personality—could lead to discussions about culture, community, or even personal rituals.
“Have you ever walked through a city and felt like an outsider? What was it that made you feel that way?”
Similar to your favorite idea but slightly reworded to feel even more natural.
“What’s something about this city that would surprise someone who’s never been here before?”
This can reveal cultural insights about both London and wherever they’re from, since people naturally compare to their own background.
“What’s something normal in your hometown that feels unusual here?”
Encourages them to reflect on cultural habits they didn’t realize were unique until they left home.
Could lead to fun or deep comparisons (e.g., social behaviors, food, nightlife, academics).
“Do you think it’s easier or harder to make friends in London compared to where you’re from?”
Subtly highlights the difference between London’s fast-paced, individualistic culture vs. a more close-knit community like Nicosia.
Gets students to open up about belonging and social norms.
“What’s one thing about your culture that you wish more people here understood?”
Makes them feel like their culture matters and gives them space to express something personal.
“If you had to teach someone one unwritten rule about where you’re from, what would it be?”
Could lead to fun insights about politeness, greetings, or customs people don’t even realize are cultural.
“What’s a stereotype about where you’re from that’s actually kind of true?”
Lighthearted and invites humor but can also lead to deeper discussions.
City & Social Life Comparisons
“Where do you feel more at home—here or where you grew up? Why?”
Gets them thinking about belonging and what makes a place feel like home.
“Do you think people in London keep to themselves more than where you’re from?”
Naturally sparks discussion about how people interact in different cultures.
“What’s something that made you experience culture shock when you moved here?”
Great for international students or even locals who moved from smaller towns.
“What’s something you can do here that you couldn’t do back home?”
Encourages a positive perspective while still contrasting cultural differences.
“If you could bring one thing from your hometown to London, what would it be?”
Could be a dish, a way of socializing, a tradition—helps them talk about what they value from their culture.
I love the “TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR CULTURE AND GET A FREE PORTRAIT” sign! It’s clear, inviting, and gives people an immediate reason to stop—especially in a fast-paced city like London. I think it will work really well there.
For Cyprus, though, the cultural context is different. Since Nicosia is more homogenous and people might not immediately think of “culture” in the same way as Londoners do (where diversity is a daily experience), you might need a different hook.
Cyprus Hook Ideas:
“What’s something uniquely Cypriot that you love (or struggle with)?”
This invites both pride and critique, which can get people talking more naturally.
“What makes someone truly Cypriot?”
This subtly explores identity and cultural expectations without making people overthink.
“If someone visited Cyprus for the first time, what’s the first thing they should experience?”
People will likely mention food, traditions, or social behaviors—great for starting a cultural discussion.
“What’s one thing about Cyprus that outsiders don’t understand?”
Encourages them to reflect on what makes Cypriot culture unique.
If you still want to keep the “TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR CULTURE” approach but adapt it for Cyprus, you could tweak it to something like:
“TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CYPRIOT – GET A FREE PORTRAIT”
“SHARE A PIECE OF CYPRUS WITH ME – GET A FREE PORTRAIT”
NOTES FROM ELLIOT
CSM (EMAIL estateshelpdesk@arts.ac.uk FOR PERMISSION TO SET UP A BOOTH IN CSM
( ON THE STREET) – name of that corridor in csm.
also tell philip- head of security.