Sprint 1: Research → Sprint 2: Research Analysis → Sprint 3: Ideation → Sprint 4: Prototype
In the fall of 2023, I started my master's program at the University of Toronto. I was excited to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, such as business, social work, and data science.
Our research project focuses on the social challenges international students face in Toronto. We were inspired to undertake this project because of our experiences living in this vibrant and diverse city. We understand first-hand the difficulties arising from cultural differences and language barriers.
We conducted secondary research by looking for online resources such as news, articles, and research papers published in recent years. Our research focuses on understanding the challenges that international students may encounter in terms of adaptation.
Human beings are all trying to find a sense of belonging, which can be particularly hard to find as a newcomer to Canada if your culture differs from the Western culture.
Alejandra H. Blog: Mental Health Struggles as a Newcomer to Canada: Finding a Sense of Belonging. (2023).
Culture Shock Curve
Due to cultural differences, it can be particularly hard for newcomers to get a sense of belonging. This finding helps us narrow the target audience to international students who have re-settled in Toronto within six months because the culture-shock curve suggests that six months is the most challenging moment when people go through culture shock.
<aside> 💡 Key Insights Studying abroad can be a dream come true for international students. However, they often face unexpected barriers that make adapting to a new country difficult, leaving them feeling socially disconnected from their home country and helpless.
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After we researched the issue of international students experiencing social isolation, we collected data from 40 participants, and each participant was given proper consent, highlighting the purpose of our research, their rights as participants, and our commitment to their privacy.
We analyzed surveys from 56 participants, out of which 40 participants passed the screener question (71.4% pass rate) and were included in the analysis. Age data was gathered during interviews for better accuracy, and no outliers were excluded from the survey data.
Q: Who do you live with?
45% of international students live with their roommates while 37.5% live alone. Of these participants, about 71% reported experiencing feelings of isolation.
Q: Rate from 1 to 5, 1 as not important and 5 as extremely important. How important are social connections to your well-being and overall happiness?
Social connections are crucial for their well-being, with 90% of participants considering it essential.