Simplifying Student Life
Breaking Cultural Barriers for CUNY’s International Students
ROLE
UX Designer
PLATFORM
Mobile
YEAR
2022
With a user-centered approach, we designed a mobile app that addresses the unique challenges faced by international students, fostering connections and providing essential resources for a smoother transition to life in the U.S.
Timeline
From explorations to final designs in 5 weeks while working with multiple projects at the same time
Background
In the heart of New York City, CUNY stands as a beacon of diversity. Yet beneath this vibrant multicultural surface, international students face a hidden struggle. As they navigate life in a new country, these students grapple with challenges ranging from academic hurdles to emotional isolation. Having experienced similar transitions in my own life, I recognized an opportunity to transform these challenges into connections.
Through 10 in-depth interviews with international students from diverse backgrounds, each lasting 20-30 minutes, we uncovered patterns of shared struggles and aspirations. Our online survey, structured across four key areas (General Information, Cultural differences, Technology, and Goals), provided quantitative backing to our qualitative findings.
78% of students reported feeling isolated during their first semester
65% struggled with basic daily tasks like banking and transportation
89% expressed a desire for more cultural connection opportunities
92% used their smartphones as their primary tool for information and connection
Using an Affinity Diagram, we distilled our research into four critical areas:
Academic Battlegrounds
Beyond just coursework, students faced language barriers that affected their classroom confidence and assignment completion
Daily Life Labyrinth
Simple tasks became complex puzzles - from finding accommodation to understanding public transportation
Emotional Isolation
Homesickness and cultural disconnect created invisible barriers to success
Cultural Navigation
Understanding American social cues and building friendships proved more challenging than expected
Our solution emerged as a mobile application designed to serve as both a practical tool and emotional support system. Key features included:
Cultural Discovery Hub: Educational modules about American culture and campus life
Community Connections: Peer-to-peer matching based on shared interests and backgrounds
Smart Assistant: AI-powered support for common questions and concerns
Resource Navigator: Streamlined access to essential services and information
Through careful prototype iteration, we focused on creating an experience that felt welcoming and intuitive. Our design principles emphasized:
Clear Visual Hierarchy
Making information easily scannable for non-native English speakers
Community-First Features
Facilitating organic connections between students
Personalized Pathways
Adapting content based on individual student needs and backgrounds
While still in the prototype phase, early user testing has shown promising results:
85% of test users reported feeling more confident about navigating campus life
92% found the cultural learning modules engaging and helpful
78% expressed interest in using the community features to make connections
This project reinforced several crucial insights
Empathetic Design
Personal experience plays a vital role in driving empathetic and user-centered design.
Thorough Research
Uncovering unspoken user needs requires in-depth research and a data-driven approach.
Balancing Practicality & Emotion
Designing for both functional and emotional user needs enhances engagement and usability.
Bridging Cultural Gaps
Thoughtful technology design has the potential to connect diverse communities effectively.
By comprehending the distinct obstacles confronted by students from abroad and embodying empathy in our design, we’ve designed a digital tool that enables them to excel in their new surroundings. This initiative stands as a proof of the strength of design focused on human needs when it comes to tackling tangible problems and generating beneficial societal influence.