Mughunthan Kavitha Thirumoorthy

International Student Connect

Moving to a new country for university can be exciting, but it can also be challenging. International students often have to navigate unfamiliar places, new cultures, different academic environments, and the difficulty of building meaningful social connections. While existing digital platforms can help people meet others, they do not always address the specific experiences and needs of international students. This thesis explores the design of a digital platform created to help international students connect, communicate, and build supportive social networks during their university experience. The project focuses on creating a welcoming and accessible space where students can discover people with similar interests, take part in activities, and develop connections beyond the classroom.

Surveys and interviews were used to understand the challenges students face when trying to meet new people, form friendships, and feel a sense of belonging. These insights informed the development of the platform features, structure and overall user experience. An interactive prototype was then created and evaluated through usability testing with students. Feedback from these sessions helped identify areas for improvement and refine the design to make interactions clearer, more intuitive, and engaging.

This project explores how thoughtful user-centred design can support the social side of the international student experience. The final concept aims to make it easier for students to take the first step towards meeting others, discovering shared interests, and feeling connected within their university community.