🧩SWOT

Key Takeaways

• Most existing platforms focus on the pre-departure stage, such as application guidance, visa processes, and school matching (e.g., ApplyBoard, IDP Education), but offer little support for students after arrival.
  
  

• Emotional and everyday adaptation needs are largely overlooked，there’s a clear gap in helping international students build local social connections, navigate daily life, and manage mental well-being post-arrival.
  
  

• Safety oriented apps (e.g., Keep Me Safe) address mental health from a crisis-intervention angle but lack features that proactively foster community, belonging, or integration.
  
  

• There is an opportunity for a more holistic, post-arrival support system that goes beyond utility to provide cultural, emotional, and experiential grounding for newcomers.
  
  

The design space is relatively untapped when it comes to integrating smart recommendations and shared local experiences to help newcomers ease into their new environment.

💬 Interviews

Topic: To understand the challenge of International students live and studying abroad.

*Introduce:

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to participate in today's interview. My name is weijia, and I am working on my project 1. I am conducting research to understand the experiences and challenges faced by international students studying abroad. Your insights will help us design better products or services to support future international students.

Before we begin, I'd like to go over a few things:

1. This interview is expected to take about [duration, e.g. , 45 minutes]. Please feel

comfortable and relaxed. If you need a break or wish to end the interview early at any point, just let me know.

2.  We highly value your privacy and confidentiality. Everything you share will be used solely

for research purposes and will not be shared with third parties. Your personal identity will remain confidential.

3.  We will be recording this interview for later analysis. If you have any concerns or feel

uncomfortable with this, please inform me, and we can stop the recording at any time. 4. There are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in hearing about your real

experiences and thoughts, so please share as openly and naturally as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know. Before we start, do you have any questions?If not, let's get started. I'll ask the questions through time line, such as before you departure, after you arrive.

Kick off:

Let's start from the stage before you departure.

Before departure Phase:

What your motivation and experiences in deciding to study abroad?

How did you choose your destination country and institution?

What resources did you use to make your decision (websites, forums, advisors)? Was there any specific information you found hard to find?

How did you gather information about the visa process, accommodation, and local culture?

What tools or services did you find most helpful during the preparation phase?

Arrival and Adaptation Phase Culture;/ life

What was your first impression upon arriving in the new country?

How did you manage your first few days/weeks in terms of accommodation, transportation, and daily essentials?

What were the most unexpected challenges you faced upon arrival?

Do you experience any culture shock?

Did you face any language barriers? If so, how did you overcome them?

What kind of support systems (if any) did you have access to (student groups, local

communities)

Academic

How did you find the academic environment and teaching methods compared to your home country?

Have you experienced any academic challenges or differences that were hard to adapt to?

Social Integration

How have you made friends and built a social network in the new country? What activities or groups have helped you feel more integrated?

Social Integration

How have you made friends and built a social network in the new country? What activities or groups have helped you feel more integrated?

Have you faced any social challenges, and how did you address them?

Money

Did you encounter any difficulties with banking, currency exchange, or financial transactions?

Health

What healthcare services have you used, and how was your experience?

How do you manage your physical and mental well-being while studying abroad?

Overall experience

What has been the most rewarding aspect of studying abroad?

What has been the most challenging aspect of your experience?

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience that we haven't covered?

Interview Record 

（Pseudonyms have been used to protect privacy）

Interview 1

**Date:** 7/2/2024

**Time:** 7:00 PM

**Interviewer:** BO, China, 24 years old, studied in the US for 6 years

Introduction and Motivation:

- BO studied in the US starting in 2018 for an undergraduate degree, influenced by his parents

who wanted him to see the world and avoid intense competition in China.

**Preparation and Departure:**

- Preparation for studying abroad was smooth due to comprehensive support from his

international high school.

- Learning English was tough, and transitioning to university-level academics was challenging.

**Academic and Cultural Differences:**

- Academically, materials were familiar due to the use of American textbooks in his international

high school.

- Cultural shocks included traffic systems and everyday interactions.

- The flexibility of the US education system contrasted with the mandatory attendance in China.

**Challenges:**

- Financial management was a significant challenge due to currency differences and the lack of

parental oversight.

- Cultural adaptation was difficult, especially with food and transportation issues.

- The initial living conditions in dorms were crowded, and finding new accommodation was

tough without a car.

**Support Systems and Resources:**

- The Chinese student association at his school provided crucial support with transportation and

accommodation.

- Apps like Google Maps and Yelp, as well as recommendations from friends, were useful for

daily life.

**Social Integration and Advice:**

- Initially hid problems from parents to avoid worrying them.

- Advised newcomers to strengthen self-discipline, avoid bad influences, be aware of legal

norms, and get a driver's license for better mobility.

#### Interview 2

**Date:** 7/7/2024

**Time:** 2:15 PM

**Interviewer:** Maria Gonzalez, Mexico, 21 years old, 2nd year in Canada

**Introduction and Challenges:**

- Studying at the University of Toronto has been challenging but rewarding.

- Language barriers were significant, with academic jargon and idiomatic expressions posing

difficulties.

**Cultural Adaptation:**

- Adapting to Canadian social norms, such as small talk and reserved interactions, was

challenging and led to feelings of isolation.

**Homesickness and Coping:**

- Frequent homesickness, especially during holidays, coped with through video calls and joining

cultural clubs.

**Academic Pressure:**

- Managing rigorous coursework was stressful, balanced through time management and

engaging in stress-relieving activities.

**Financial and Visa Issues:**

- Financial strain from high living costs and tuition, balanced by working part-time.

- Visa and immigration regulations added stress.

**Health and Well-being:**

- Adapting to the cold climate and maintaining health was challenging but managed through

good habits and university health services.

**Integration and Support:**

- Joining cultural clubs and university events helped in social integration.

- Emphasized the importance of support systems for international students.

#### Interview 3

**Date:** 7/8/2024

**Time:** 3:20 PM

**Interviewer:** Maleina, studying German and French

**Introduction and Background:**

- Maleina is from the US, studied computer science, and studied abroad in Germany and

Quebec.

- Experiences included studying German in Germany and French in Quebec.

**Language and Cultural Challenges:**

- Using a second language was challenging, particularly with speaking skills.

- Cultural differences included habits like shaking hands and cheek kissing, which were

unfamiliar.

**Academic Environment:**

- Academic styles differed, with German education being stricter and more direct.

**Support and Integration:**

- Language schools provided essential support, but international student organizations were

limited.

- Over time, language skills improved, making social integration easier.

**Financial and Health Issues:**

- Financial management was relatively easy due to the US dollar.

- Health insurance was managed with help from her husband in Quebec and dormitory support

in Germany.

**Rewards and Challenges:**

- Immersing in another culture and understanding jokes in a new language were rewarding

experiences.

- The initial phase was the most challenging due to language barriers and unfamiliar customs.

**Suggestions and Advice:**

- A detailed information resource about what to expect and potential problems would be helpful.

- Speaking with someone who had the same experience could provide valuable insights.

**Loneliness and Family Contact:**

- Loneliness was a significant issue at the beginning, compounded by time zone differences.

- Communication with family was challenging due to time zones and the need to buy a cell

phone without a local ID card.

**Final Thoughts:**

- Encouraged to stay persistent and seek help from those with similar experiences.

- Willing to assist with interviews and provided advice on handling language and cultural

Challenges.

#### Interview 4

**Date:** 7/10/2024

**Time:** 8:20 aM

**Interviewer:** Emma, 20yrs, UK people studying in US

**Introduction and Background:**

- Emma is from the UK, studied Psychology in US

- Provided insightful details about the native English speaker as an international student in the

US.

**Language and Cultural Challenges:**

- Despite being a native English speaker, Emma had to adjust to American slang,

colloquialisms, and different academic terminology.

- Emma experienced culture shock due to the direct communication style of Americans and the

fast-paced environment.

**Academic Environment:**

-The academic system in the U.S. was different, with a greater emphasis on class participation

and continuous assessment.

-Emma had to adapt her study habits and time management skills to keep up with the workload.

**Support and Integration:**

- She overcame homesickness by actively making connections, joining clubs, and staying in

regular contact with her family and friends back home.

- Over time, language skills improved, making social integration easier.

**Financial and Health Issues:**

- The high cost of living in California was a challenge. Emma took on a part-time job and

practiced careful budgeting to manage her expenses.

**Rewards and Challenges:**

-Had a road trip to Yosemite National Park with some friends her made here.

-Had the chance to work on some exciting research projects.

-The cultural nuances and social norms are different.

-Academically, the teaching methods and expectations were different.

**Suggestions and Advice:**

- stay open-minded and patient.

- Embrace the new experiences and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

-Get involved in local activities and clubs to meet people and make the most of your time

abroad.

-And most importantly, give yourself time to adapt and find your footing.

**Loneliness and Family Contact:**

- Homesickness was tough, especially during the first few months.

-She dealt with it by staying busy with my studies and hobbies, and joined a hiking club and a

volunteering group, which helped her make new friends and feel more connected.

- Regular video calls with family and friends also helped a lot.

**Final Thoughts:**

- Learned to navigate and appreciate cultural differences, which will be invaluable in her future

career.

- Overall, feel more confident and independent, ready to take on new challeng

🌐Affinity

To make sense of the qualitative data collected from user interviews, I used affinity mapping to cluster related observations and uncover emerging themes. This process helped visualize not just individual pain points, but patterns of emotion, behavior, and need across different participants.

Following the affinity mapping, I conducted a synthesis debrief to reflect on what these themes revealed about the user journey. By reframing the findings into insights, I was able to define Point of View (POV) statements and generate meaningful “How Might We” questions that guided the design direction.

Synthesis Debrief

Introduction:

This synthesis debrief compiles insights from three interviews with international students, BO, Maria, and Maleina, who shared their experiences studying abroad in the US, Canada, and Germany/Quebec, respectively. The debrief highlights common themes, challenges, and strategies these students used to navigate their new environments.

1. Motivations for Studying Abroad:

BO:

- Motivated by parents to avoid intense competition in China and to see the world.

- Studied in the US for undergraduate studies starting in 2018.

Maria:

- Chose to study at the University of Toronto, finding it challenging but rewarding.

Maleina:

- Studied abroad twice for language learning (German and French) and for international

relations.

2. Preparation and Support:

BO:

- Received comprehensive support from his international high school for applications.

- Faced language learning challenges.

Maria

- Managed part-time work and visa status alongside her studies.

- Faced financial strain due to high living costs and tuition fees.

Maleina:

- Conducted online research for Germany; relied on boyfriend’s recommendation for Quebec.

- Encountered different visa processes in Germany and Canada.

3. Cultural and Academic Differences:

BO:

- Experienced cultural shocks such as traffic systems and different educational systems.

- Noted the flexibility in US education compared to mandatory attendance in China.

Maria:

- Struggled with social norms and making friends in Canada.

- Found academic jargon and idiomatic expressions challenging.

Maleina

:- Adjusted to different social customs like shaking hands and cheek kissing.

- Found German teaching style stricter and more direct.

4. Challenges Faced:

BO:

- Managed financial challenges due to currency differences and overspending.

- Faced difficulties in cultural adaptation, particularly with food and transportation.

- Had trouble finding accommodation and adjusting to crowded dorms.

Maria:

- Dealt with language barriers that affected academic performance and confidence.

- Experienced homesickness and social isolation.

- Felt the pressure of rigorous coursework and maintaining visa status.

Maleina:

- Initially intimidated by language barriers in both Germany and Quebec.

- Encountered initial loneliness and difficulties in communicating frustrations.

5. Useful Resources:

BO:

- Utilized Google Maps and Yelp for daily navigation and finding services.

Maria:

- Joined cultural clubs and participated in university events to feel more connected.

Maleina:

- Language schools provided significant support, but there were limited international student

organizations.

6. Health and Well-being:

BO:

- Did not specifically mention health-related issues.

Maria:

- Struggled with adjusting to the cold climate in Canada.

- Used university health services and maintained good health habits.

Maleina:

- Managed health insurance with her husband’s help in Quebec.

- Benefited from dormitory support in Germany.

7. Integration and Social Support:

BO:

- Relied on the Chinese student association for initial support and smooth transition.

Maria:

- Found joining cultural clubs and university events beneficial for integration.

Maleina:

- Improved language skills over time, which helped with social integration.

8. Advice and Suggestions:

BO:

- Emphasized the importance of self-discipline, avoiding bad influences, and understanding

legal norms.

- Recommended getting a driver’s license to improve mobility and quality of life.

Maria:

- Highlighted the importance of support systems for international students.

- Suggested that universities improve their services for international students.

Maleina:

- Suggested having a detailed information resource about what to expect, potential problems,

and cultural differences.

- Recommended speaking with someone who had a similar experience for valuable insights.

9. Loneliness and Family Contact:

BO:

- Did not specifically mention issues with family contact.

Maria:

- Frequently felt homesick and coped through video calls and social media.

Maleina:

- Experienced challenges with time zone differences and initial lack of phone access in dorms.

Conclusion:

The interviews reveal common themes among international students, including the challenges

of cultural adaptation, language barriers, financial management, and the importance of support

systems. Each student's experience highlights the need for better resources and support

structures to help international students navigate their new environments more effectively. The

insights gathered can guide universities and support organizations in enhancing their services to

foster a more inclusive and supportive experience for international students.

💡POV & HMW

1.When applying to or arriving in a new country, a clear and visible guide to the process and experience can eliminate many of the unknowns.

● HMW create a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for international students to navigate the application and arrival process ( but already have similar product) ( but lack of Guidance platforms in areas other than applications ）

● HMW involve current international students in creating resources that reflect real-life experiences and challenges

● HMW design an easily accessible digital platform that provides all necessary information for new international students

● HMW ensure that the guide is available in multiple languages to cater to diverse student backgrounds

2.International students always experiencing homesickness and social isolation, forming close friendships and maintaining their mental health in a new country is hard.

● HMW creating a platform to collect ideas from different international students to make them feel that they are not alone

● HMW establishment of skills exchange platforms, hobby groups to promote the integration of international and local students

● HMW provide access to counseling services that understand and address the unique challenges of homesickness and social isolation ( mental health platform)

3.As international students facing rigorous academic demands but not familiar with academic requirements, they often encounter difficulties with language barriers, understanding academic jargon, and adapting to different teaching styles.

● HMW have platform that peer mentorship programs where experienced students can help newcomers navigate academic challenges

● HMW provide workshops focused on understanding academic jargon and improving language skills

● HMW integrate language support services within academic departments to assist with coursework and comprehension

4.As international students dealing with language barriers, their confidence and academic performance can be significantly affected by their ability to communicate and understand the local language.

● HMWset up language exchange programs where students can practice speaking with native speakers in a low-pressure environment

● HMW use technology to provide real-time language translation and support tools for students during lectures and discussions

● HMW have some interesting ways to help them understand local culture, law, life facilities meanwhile practice using local language?

5.As international students managing the complexities of visa and immigration requirements, international students need clear guidance and assistance with these processes.

● HMW create a centralized online resource that provides up-to-date information on visa and immigration requirements

● HMW develop partnerships with immigration lawyers to provide free or low-cost legal advice to students

6. Understanding and adapting to these differences is crucial for their successful integration and comfort in the new environment.

● HMW provide mentorship programs that pair international students with local students to ease cultural adaptation

● HMW organize regular social events that allow international students to experience local culture first-hand

● HMW create online cultural sensitivity training modules for international students

7.International students navigating financial challenges and high living costs, effective financial management is essential to ensure they can cover their expenses and focus on their studies.

● HMW create budgeting tools and resources to help students manage their finances effectively

● HMW provide information on part-time job opportunities and work-study programs available to international students

8.Integration into a new country where many of the resources of life are unfamiliar.

● HMW develop a comprehensive guide to local resources and services available to international students

● HMW create an app that connects international students with local services and resources based on their needs