1.1 million
students studying in the U.S. 2022 to 2023
Why is it important?
12 percent
enrollment increase from the last year
40 billion
contribution to the U.S economy
Overview
Ease is your go-to digital companion for navigating life abroad. Built for international students, it delivers personalized, step-by-step guidance that turns overwhelming transitions into confident and informed decisions.
Role
UX Designer, UX Researcher, Design Strategist
Skills
User Experience, Design Strategy, User Research, User Testing, Wireframing, Prototyping, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Stakeholder collaboration
Challenge
Develop an end-to-end design process, from ideation to implementation, for a chosen concept using mixed-method research, rapid prototyping, iterative user testing, etc.
Client
Primarily U.S based universities, with the potential to scale to institutions supporting international students globally.
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How it all began....
It started with a visit to an old friend’s apartment. What we walked into wasn’t just a small space, it was a powerful reminder of how challenging moving abroad can be without the right support. As we caught up, he shared his story: navigating everything alone—finding housing, figuring out where to start, and not knowing who to turn to. With limited information, he managed to make it work, but it came at the cost of limited options and unnecessary stress. Sure, he found a place. But it left us asking: Why does starting a new chapter have to feel like such a struggle?
That conversation sparked an IDEA!
What if moving abroad didn’t have to feel so overwhelming? With the right guidance, real support, and a welcoming community, we knew this experience could be better, easier, smoother, and more empowering. That’s when the vision for "Ease" came into focus: a platform designed to help international students navigate their move with confidence, clarity, and a true sense of belonging.
Design Process
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Understanding the pain points
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International students face significant challenges when planning their move and adjusting to life abroad
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A lack of timely support, practical knowledge, and personalized guidance often leads to uninformed decisions and overwhelming experiences
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Many are forced into survival mode, navigating uncertainty and a new life with anxiety and stress
User Group
HMW?
The AHA moment!
A one-stop digital platform built to help international students navigate life abroad with confidence. Offering personalized support and and step-by -step guidance to empower smarter, more informed decisions at every step of the way.
How might we support international students in navigating life abroad through tailored guidance and community-driven support systems that make transitions and daily living less overwhelming?
Participatory Workshop
User Feedback Synthesis
Information Architecture
User-centered onboarding
Access to local resources and essential services
User feedback: “Financial Documents” or “Visa Appointment” might not be self-explanatory for new users, something like a pop up with brief information would help
Social Impact
Improvement: Added info icon beside words that would give more context and clarity for new users
Prototype
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Questions are straightforward and kept to a minimum, reducing cognitive overload
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Contextual questions regarding city, university, and priorities help in personalization of the experience from the start
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Progress indicator helps indicate the journey for the user, improving navigation clarity
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The dashboard offers centralized access to local resources and essential services
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From connecting with college alumni and exploring community support, to following a guided, step-by-step journey
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Users can also browse diverse topics, consult the Ease Chat Assistant for personalized help, and customize their profile for a more tailored experience
Prototype refinements
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Ease helps international students feel at home in a new country, fostering emotional comfort and cultural belonging, a huge key for mental well-being
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By connecting users to alumni, peers, and resources, Ease reduces isolation and creates cross-cultural bridges, enhancing mutual understanding and empathy
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Personalized onboarding and step-by-step guidance help students feel more capable and self-reliant in a new environment
Next Steps
Lo-Fidelity Wireframes
Design System
Differentiating Factors
Ease Values
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Pre-Arrival Guidance: Unlike many platforms that focus solely on post-arrival support, Ease prepares students before they even set foot abroad, addressing critical early-stage needs often overlooked
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University-Backed Model: Operates on a B2B partnership with universities, enhancing trust, credibility, and seamless integration with official processes
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Personalized, Step-by-Step Support: Provides tailored, sequential guidance based on individual needs, reducing confusion and empowering confident decision-making
User Insights
Interviews
So what's the meaning behind ease?
"Ease" is inspired by the phrase “with ease,” reflecting the vision of creating a seamless, stress-free experience for international students navigating life in the U.S.
