Project Overview

International students in Canada face loneliness due to homesickness, culture shock, and language barriers. To support them, we need a comprehensive approach that includes research into their daily frustrations and actions, talking to them directly with empathy, and with social and digital support.

About The Project

We conducted secondary and primary research to understand the challenges that international students may encounter regarding adaptation. Based on the qualitative data and quantitative data, we build our persona and think about their current journey. Transitioning into the ideation phase, we think outside the box, develop diverse ideas, and prioritize the possibility of feasibility and impact. Lastly, we crafted the mid-fidelity wireframe with a structured user flow and then conducted usability testing with our target users.

My Role as an Ideation Lead

Coordinated and directed productive brainstorming sessions to promote the inclusivity of different perspectives and generate an array of imaginative ideas.
Analyzed and evaluated the results of the ideation sessions with a constructive approach, considering the feasibility and impact factors to identify the most promising ideas.
Collaborated with team members to prioritize and refine ideas, ensuring alignment with project goals and user needs before advancing to the next stages of development.

Problem

Loneliness is a significant problem among international students in Canada, particularly for young adults who experience homesickness, culture shock, and language barriers. The lack of resources available to support them in building meaningful connections can lead to feelings of isolation, exacerbating the negative consequences of loneliness and impacting their overall well-being. To improve mental health and promote cross-cultural adaptation, we must implement a comprehensive approach that includes social and digital support.

<aside> ✨ For most college students growing up in a digital world, online social network platforms could be a way to help them adapt to the new environment and reduce loneliness.

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Solution

Create a platform that allows international students to connect and expand their social network easily beyond classmates, without spending too much time at social events and without the fear of rejection in person. Features include building a social calendar, personalized friend recommendations, and reaching out to new friends with trust.

Process

Our team and I discussed international students' challenges when adapting to a new environment, particularly cultural differences and language barriers. As foreigners in Toronto, we all agreed that these challenges could be daunting, but we were determined to overcome them and make the most of our experience.

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Quick link to each process