Research article | Open Access
International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications 2025, Vol. 16(2) 100-114
Self in Context: Integrating Family Dynamics, Cultural History, and Home Design
pp. 100 - 114
Publish Date: December 31, 2025 | Single/Total View: 0/0 | Single/Total Download: 0/0
Abstract
In the time of rapid transitions and global conflicts, there is an increase in the desire for stability and safety among young adults. As they seek answers and ideas to understand these uncertainties and clarify confusions, the pursuit of self-discovery becomes particularly relevant in educational settings. This study aims to explore students’ learning about self-discovery through a project, which involves uncovering the multidimensional aspects of their family, culture, and space across the past, present, and future. The project is drawn from a course that combines family science and interior design. This interdisciplinary course is a unique and effective context to invite self-exploration and out-of-the-box thinking to enhance student learning and development. Using a qualitative, phenomenological lens, this study analyzed three exemplary final projects selected through instructor assessment of depth and creativity. Each artifact was examined through thematic and content analysis to identify elemental meanings and the culmination of major learnings and insights emerging as a result of the projects. The results of this study affirmed that the project successfully achieved its goal of fostering deep insight, meaningful reflection, and a strong sense of personal integration among students. The emergent themes were “Family bonds, Adaptation and Resilience, Historical architectural significance, and the Tension between old and new” and showed students’ deeper understandings of themselves, their family dynamics, history, and historical family homes, and the environments that shape their lived experiences.
Keywords: Interdisciplinary education, Self-discovery, Family dynamics, Interior design, Culture
APA 7th edition
SUH, J., & HAWKINS, B. (2025). Self in Context: Integrating Family Dynamics, Cultural History, and Home Design. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 16(2), 100-114.
Harvard
SUH, J. and HAWKINS, B. (2025). Self in Context: Integrating Family Dynamics, Cultural History, and Home Design. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 16(2), pp. 100-114.
Chicago 16th edition
SUH, Junghwa and Blendine HAWKINS (2025). "Self in Context: Integrating Family Dynamics, Cultural History, and Home Design". International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications 16 (2):100-114.
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