Asian International Students' Journey to Connection
User Research
Context
SI 422 Usability Needs & Evaluation
Role
UX Researcher + Designer
Methods
UX Research, Qualitative Interviews, Thematic Analysis & Coding, Affinity Diagramming, User Journeys, Personas
Timeline
February 2025 - April 2025
Objective
Understand the pain points of Asian International students when engaging in conversations with domestic students at the University of Michigan.
Pinpoint highlights in users’ current interaction with domestic students, and brainstorm potential solutions or products
Affinity Map
I developed 13 codes to categorize my data, making it significantly easier to identify recurring patterns. As these themes continued to emerge, I recognized that data saturation had been reached—each code was bolded and numbered below.
To further organize the coded data, I created an affinity diagram, refining each subset into meaningful clusters. In the diagram, different colors represent the perspectives of individual participants: green for P1, dark green for P2, lilac for P3, teal for P4, and blue for P5.
Persona
I compiled the data and concluded key features that collectively stood out.
Having a persona in hand guided my next steps in identifying user pain points & goals.
Journey Map
These are all important steps to help me brainstorm potential solutions/products that can be useful in fostering meaningful social interactions.
Reflection
Through research and student interviews, key challenges and potential solutions emerge:
Key Challenges:
Cultural & Linguistic Barriers:
Differences in communication styles (e.g., indirect vs. direct communication) can lead to misunderstandings.
Language proficiency gaps, especially in casual or fast-paced conversations, create social anxiety.
Unfamiliarity with American campus culture (e.g., networking norms, humor, small talk) makes integration difficult.
Social Exclusion & Self-Segregation:
Domestic students may unintentionally exclude international peers due to assumed disinterest or discomfort.
International students often retreat into co-national groups for comfort, reinforcing social divides.
Stereotypes (e.g., "quiet," "studious but not social") limit opportunities for deeper connections.
Limited Structured Integration Opportunities:
Many social events (e.g., parties, Greek life) cater to domestic students, leaving international students unsure of how to engage.
Academic collaborations are often short-term (e.g., group projects), lacking sustained relationship-building.
Opportunities for Improvement:
Structured Cross-Cultural Programs:
Mentorship initiatives pairing: encourage long-term guidance between domestic and international students.
Cultural exchange workshops: foster mutual understanding through language partners and storytelling sessions.
Collaborative academic/creative projects: Increase exposure to mixed team dynamics.
Campus-Wide Awareness & Training:
Workshops for domestic students: build inclusive communication and cultural sensitivity.
Enhanced Support Systems:
Peer-led discussion groups: help students navigate social dynamics in a new cultural context.
Inclusive event planning: reduce barriers to participation through low-pressure socials and interest-based meetups.
Impact of Effective Integration:
For International Students: Increased confidence, professional networking, and a stronger sense of belonging.
For Domestic Students: Exposure to diverse perspectives, improved intercultural competence, and broader worldviews.
For the University: A more inclusive, globally engaged campus community where all students thrive.