Table 3.

Problems or situations mentioned by an actress during sessions and examples of corresponding crowd responses.

Problem/Topic	Indicative Excerpt
Opening a discussion	User: I have been stressed for the past few weeks really and it’s very difficult to focus on my studies and it would be nice just to talk about that. Robot: What is stressing you about your studies?
Moving to a new city	User: I moved from Belgium to the Netherlands 3 months ago to do this minor so its new city and new house I am living in. Robot: Are there any language barriers you have to deal with? User: Not really because in Belgium we speak Flounderish and in Holland, they speak Dutch and it’s the same language. Robot: So, the differences between your studies and studying life are feeling overwhelming?
Difficulty in study	User: So, I’m doing a minor here in Eindhoven and it’s new subjects and it’s so different working than before…I am anxious about it⋯ it’s a new style of working…new content, so I do not know how to deal with that. Robot: Why did you chose this subject? User: I thought it was interesting… it is more focused on user experience. Robot: But learning it is not giving you happiness? User: I think it will give me… we disagree maybe because I think my study gives me fulfillment. Robot: How come fulfilment and stress at same time?
Difficulty in finding people for an interview	User: I need to find people to interview and I don’t know so many people. So, I have tried putting an Ad up, but it didn’t work. It mixes up with all my planning. Robot: Try social media for getting connections. User: so, what would you put up on social media who would like to go out for a coffee with me then. Robot: Yes, they have groups for locals on places like Meetups.
Noisy roommates	User: I was hoping I would get some sleep, but I have 5 extremely noisy roommates. Robot: Can you try playing low volume rain sounds or something to drown them out? User: What is white noise? Robot: A background sound that’s relaxing to listen to that will drown out the loud sounds that your roommates make.
Showing empathy	User: I am saying that I am very stressed and that I like to speak about that, and I can’t focus on my studies Robot: Oh, that’s terrible what can I do to help?