Supervisor: Jung Choi, Assistant Professor of Visual and Media Studies
Student Researchers: Tessa Luong (Class of 2025), Luna Luong (Class of 2025)
About the Project:
International universities, known for their liberal arts education and open environment, are increasingly gaining popularity due to globalization and the promotion of global citizenship. These institutions aim to provide enriching educational experiences for both local and international students while fostering local economic growth. However, this model also presents challenges, such as student segregation and communication barriers. A comparative analysis between a traditional university in Vietnam and Duke Kunshan University in China revealed that segregation based on communication preferences creates distinct social bubbles, limiting cross-cultural interactions and inhibiting the formation of a cohesive community.
With this in mind, the team has designed a social networking service that caters to the unique needs of international university students, fostering their social lives and promoting a sense of unity among all student groups. The design of our platform is guided by insights from an initial survey completed by 139 DKU students and faculty. This survey explores engagement experiences on online platforms, focusing on communication challenges between Chinese and international students. It also examines the effectiveness of current event promotion methods at DKU and collects suggestions for a more engaging communication platform.
Based on the survey data, the team has developed a platform that integrates impactful features inspired by globally popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, and WeChat. To address the problem of decentralized platforms and differing preferences, we incorporated functions such as groups that support more members than a group chat in WeChat can hold, with tagging and archiving options for seamless access to past conversations. Event management is enhanced with RSVP tools that include attendee tracking and calendar integration. A centralized discussion forum offers categorized topics, such as academic resources, cultural adaptation tips, and local living advice. Additionally, the platform includes a life-navigation section with links to academic and administrative tools and curated guides for living in China. This section is particularly helpful for all students with academic inquiries, especially international students adapting to the local environment. Furthermore, we encourage real-time participation through live event feeds and notifications, while supporting cross-cultural exchanges with bilingual interfaces and forums that promote cultural diversity. The application also incorporates personalized content and spaces that foster a collective identity within DKU’s diverse student body. These features collectively create a utility-driven platform that not only addresses existing problems but also enhances student engagement and connectivity.
