Stuweg - A Digital Service
for International Students
in Cologne

Stuweg - A Digital Service
for International Students
in Cologne

Stuweg - A Digital Service
for International Students
in Cologne

Master Thesis Project
My role: Service Designer and UX designer

Master Thesis Project
My role: Service Designer and UX designer

Master Thesis Project
My role: Service Designer and UX designer

A service to optimize support for international students’ information needs, communication, and overall satisfaction during their academic journey in Cologne

A service to optimize support for international students’ information needs, communication, and overall satisfaction during their academic journey in Cologne

A service to optimize support for international students’ information needs, communication, and overall satisfaction during their academic journey in Cologne

Brief:

Brief:

Brief:

For 70 % of international students it takes over three months to gather all the necessary information about living in Cologne. Students have incurred financial
losses ranging from 20 to 4000 euros due to these informational deficits.

This project has been established to assist international students in Cologne by providing them with reliable and comprehensive information about daily life and the non-academic aspects of living in Germany. It aims to enhance their communication with other students, bolster support services and student communities in Cologne, and promote better integration into society. The overarching goal is to increase international students’ satisfaction with student life in Cologne and Germany.
The project's outcomes are expected to lead to a reduction in the time and financial losses experienced by international students, as well as a decrease in the hours needed for student services counselling.

For 70 % of international students it takes over three months to gather all the necessary information about living in Cologne. Students have incurred financial losses ranging from 20 to 4000 euros due to these informational deficits.

This project has been established to assist international students in Cologne by providing them with reliable and comprehensive information about daily life and the non-academic aspects of living in Germany. It aims to enhance their communication with other students, bolster support services and student communities in Cologne, and promote better integration into society. The overarching goal is to increase international students’ satisfaction with student life in Cologne and Germany.
The project's outcomes are expected to lead to a reduction in the time and financial losses experienced by international students, as well as a decrease in the hours needed for student services counseling.

For 70 % of international students it takes over three months to gather all the necessary information about living in Cologne. Students have incurred financial
losses ranging from 20 to 4000 euros due to these informational deficits.

This project has been established to assist international students in Cologne by providing them with reliable and comprehensive information about daily life and the non-academic aspects of living in Germany. It aims to enhance their communication with other students, bolster support services and student communities in Cologne, and promote better integration into society. The overarching goal is to increase international students’ satisfaction with student life in Cologne and Germany.
The project's outcomes are expected to lead to a reduction in the time and financial losses experienced by international students, as well as a decrease in the hours needed for student services counseling.

Benchmarking:

Benchmarking:

Benchmarking:

It was important to determine whether there are products that address the information needs of international students. I examined the three main services in Europe and Germany:

It was important to determine whether there are products that address the information needs of international students. I examined the three main services in Europe and Germany:

It was important to determine whether there are products that address the information needs of international students. I examined the three main services in Europe and Germany:

User research (international students):

User research (international students):

User research (international students):

Then I delved deeper and conducted three-phase research to understand the challenges faced by international students in Cologne regarding their information and communication needs.

Then I delved deeper and conducted three-phase research to understand the challenges faced by international students in Cologne regarding their information and communication needs.

Then I delved deeper and conducted three-phase research to understand the challenges faced by international students in Cologne regarding their information and communication needs.

Analyse user research:

Analyse user research:

Analyse user research:

Based on my research, I developed 4 personas, categorizing them based on their:

Based on my research, I developed 4 personas, categorizing them based on their:

Based on my research, I developed 4 personas, categorizing them based on their:

How might we...

How might we...

How might we...

My key findings are presented here as 4 'How might we' questions...

1- How might we provide clear information for international students, making the process of settling down as a student more straightforward and easier to understand?

2- How might we connect student communities like ASTA more tightly to international students?

3- How might we help international students share their experiences and be in touch with new international students around the city and learn from each other?

4- How might we facilitate the city of Cologne's support for international students’ communication and make the process of conducting official activities with public administration easier?

My key findings are presented here as 4 'How might we' questions...

1- How might we provide clear information for international students, making the process of settling down as a student more straightforward and easier to understand?

2- How might we connect student communities like ASTA more tightly to international students?

3- How might we help international students share their experiences and be in touch with new international students around the city and learn from each other?

4- How might we facilitate the city of Cologne's support for international students’ communication and make the process of conducting official activities with public administration easier?

My key findings are presented here as 4 'How might we' questions...

1- How might we provide clear information for international students, making the process of settling down as a student more straightforward and easier to understand?

2- How might we connect student communities like ASTA more tightly to international students?

3- How might we help international students share their experiences and be in touch with new international students around the city and learn from each other?

4- How might we facilitate the city of Cologne's support for international students’ communication and make the process of conducting official activities with public administration easier?

Meaning Directions:

Meaning Directions:

Meaning Directions:

Process:

Process:

Process:

User research (Service providers):

User research (Service providers):

User research (Service providers):

I needed to delve deeper and communicate more with the stakeholders. So, I conducted several in-depth interviews with them.

I needed to delve deeper and communicate more with the stakeholders. So, I conducted several in-depth interviews with them.

I needed to delve deeper and communicate more with the stakeholders. So, I conducted several in-depth interviews with them.

Key insights:

Key insights:

Key insights:

  • International students require additional support at the beginning.

  • Students are eager to connect with peers from the same study program and country before arriving and after receiving their admission letters.

  • The International Office is considering developing a mobile app for international students. They believe it represents a modern approach to engaging with students, offering a more direct method than the university website alone.

  • The General Students’ Committee is willing to collaborate on the app to answer questions from international students and can also provide financial support for this initiative.

  • International Student Associations endorse an information and communication service for international students, as it would be beneficial for them to connect with students through such a platform.

  • A sense of belonging among peers is a significant predictor of academic achievement and retention rates.

  • Social connectivity is crucial for the academic success of international students.

  • International students require additional support at the beginning.

  • Students are eager to connect with peers from the same study program and country before arriving and after receiving their admission letters.

  • The International Office is considering developing a mobile app for international students. They believe it represents a modern approach to engaging with students, offering a more direct method than the university website alone.

  • The General Students’ Committee is willing to collaborate on the app to answer questions from international students and can also provide financial support for this initiative.

  • International Student Associations endorse an information and communication service for international students, as it would be beneficial for them to connect with students through such a platform.

  • A sense of belonging among peers is a significant predictor of academic achievement and retention rates.

  • Social connectivity is crucial for the academic success of international students.

  • International students require additional support at the beginning.

  • Students are eager to connect with peers from the same study program and country before arriving and after receiving their admission letters.

  • The International Office is considering developing a mobile app for international students. They believe it represents a modern approach to engaging with students, offering a more direct method than the university website alone.

  • The General Students’ Committee is willing to collaborate on the app to answer questions from international students and can also provide financial support for this initiative.

  • International Student Associations endorse an information and communication service for international students, as it would be beneficial for them to connect with students through such a platform.

  • A sense of belonging among peers is a significant predictor of academic achievement and retention rates.

  • Social connectivity is crucial for the academic success of international students.

Solution Framing:

Solution Framing:

Solution Framing:

Service Concept

Service Concept

Service Concept

The Business Model section outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges encountered by international students transitioning to life in Germany, particularly in Cologne. With a focus on providing essential information, fostering early networking opportunities, and promoting social integration, the proposed digital service aims to streamline the student experience from pre-arrival to settlement. Tailored specifically for non-EU students enrolled in public universities in Cologne, the service's value propositions, customer segments, channels, and revenue streams are meticulously designed to enhance academic success and facilitate the internationalization of universities. By forging key partnerships, leveraging university systems, and prioritizing user feedback and data security, this initiative seeks to establish a robust platform that meets the diverse needs of its target audience while ensuring sustainable growth and scalability.

The Business Model section outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges encountered by international students transitioning to life in Germany, particularly in Cologne. With a focus on providing essential information, fostering early networking opportunities, and promoting social integration, the proposed digital service aims to streamline the student experience from pre-arrival to settlement. Tailored specifically for non-EU students enrolled in public universities in Cologne, the service's value propositions, customer segments, channels, and revenue streams are meticulously designed to enhance academic success and facilitate the internationalization of universities. By forging key partnerships, leveraging university systems, and prioritizing user feedback and data security, this initiative seeks to establish a robust platform that meets the diverse needs of its target audience while ensuring sustainable growth and scalability.

The Business Model section outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges encountered by international students transitioning to life in Germany, particularly in Cologne. With a focus on providing essential information, fostering early networking opportunities, and promoting social integration, the proposed digital service aims to streamline the student experience from pre-arrival to settlement. Tailored specifically for non-EU students enrolled in public universities in Cologne, the service's value propositions, customer segments, channels, and revenue streams are meticulously designed to enhance academic success and facilitate the internationalization of universities. By forging key partnerships, leveraging university systems, and prioritizing user feedback and data security, this initiative seeks to establish a robust platform that meets the diverse needs of its target audience while ensuring sustainable growth and scalability.

Develop Information Architecture:

Develop Information Architecture:

Develop Information Architecture:

I conducted a survey to gain a comprehensive understanding of the detailed information and services that international students require from this service. For the next stage of co-creation and shaping the information architecture (IA), I organised a workshop with international students at my faculty and enlisted their assistance in refining the information for each section of the mobile application. Additionally, for the desktop app, I created the information architecture aligned with the mobile app's IA, drawing from the data I analysed from numerous in-depth interviews I conducted with various service providers in Cologne.

I conducted a survey to gain a comprehensive understanding of the detailed information and services that international students require from this service. For the next stage of co-creation and shaping the information architecture (IA), I organised a workshop with international students at my faculty and enlisted their assistance in refining the information for each section of the mobile application. Additionally, for the desktop app, I created the information architecture aligned with the mobile app's IA, drawing from the data I analysed from numerous in-depth interviews I conducted with various service providers in Cologne.

I conducted a survey to gain a comprehensive understanding of the detailed information and services that international students require from this service. For the next stage of co-creation and shaping the information architecture (IA), I organised a workshop with international students at my faculty and enlisted their assistance in refining the information for each section of the mobile application. Additionally, for the desktop app, I created the information architecture aligned with the mobile app's IA, drawing from the data I analysed from numerous in-depth interviews I conducted with various service providers in Cologne.

Students expressed a desire to see the following information integrated into the mobile app.


Students expressed a desire to see the following information integrated into the mobile app.


Students expressed a desire to see the following information integrated into the mobile app.


Discuss the information students need for each stage of living in Cologne and Germany, as well as the features the mobile application needs for community building and integration.

Discuss the information students need for each stage of living in Cologne and Germany, as well as the features the mobile application needs for community building and integration.

Discuss the information students need for each stage of living in Cologne and Germany, as well as the features the mobile application needs for community building and integration.


Mobile Application Wireframe:


Mobile Application Wireframe:


Mobile Application Wireframe:


Desktop Application Wireframe:


Desktop Application Wireframe:


Desktop Application Wireframe:

Wireframe Test Process:

Wireframe Test Process:

Wireframe Test Process:

I conducted interviews with five international students and five service providers in Cologne. I shared the prototypes with them and assigned tasks to evaluate the app flows. They also shared their screens, and I asked them questions about the user experience. Based on their feedback and the tasks they performed, I made iterations to improve the high-fidelity prototype later.

I conducted interviews with five international students and five service providers in Cologne. I shared the prototypes with them and assigned tasks to evaluate the app flows. They also shared their screens, and I asked them questions about the user experience. Based on their feedback and the tasks they performed, I made iterations to improve the high-fidelity prototype later.

I conducted interviews with five international students and five service providers in Cologne. I shared the prototypes with them and assigned tasks to evaluate the app flows. They also shared their screens, and I asked them questions about the user experience. Based on their feedback and the tasks they performed, I made iterations to improve the high-fidelity prototype later.


Mobile Application High-fidelity Prototype:



Mobile Application High-fidelity Prototype:



Mobile Application High-fidelity Prototype:



Desktop Application High-fidelity Prototype:



Desktop Application High-fidelity Prototype:



Desktop Application High-fidelity Prototype:


Usability Test:

Usability Test:

Usability Test:

To quantitatively assess the usability of the digital service provided to international students and service providers, I employed the “System Usability Scale” (SUS). This standardised questionnaire is a reliable tool for measuring the usability and learnability of various systems.
Overall, based on the feedback I received, I find that the app is well-received, easy to use, and likely to be beneficial in its intended context. I particularly appreciate the integration of its functions and how well it aligns with user expectations. From my perspective, the app appears to be a promising tool for service providers in Cologne.

To quantitatively assess the usability of the digital service provided to international students and service providers, I employed the “System Usability Scale” (SUS). This standardised questionnaire is a reliable tool for measuring the usability and learnability of various systems.
Overall, based on the feedback I received, I find that the app is well-received, easy to use, and likely to be beneficial in its intended context. I particularly appreciate the integration of its functions and how well it aligns with user expectations. From my perspective, the app appears to be a promising tool for service providers in Cologne.

To quantitatively assess the usability of the digital service provided to international students and service providers, I employed the “System Usability Scale” (SUS). This standardised questionnaire is a reliable tool for measuring the usability and learnability of various systems.
Overall, based on the feedback I received, I find that the app is well-received, easy to use, and likely to be beneficial in its intended context. I particularly appreciate the integration of its functions and how well it aligns with user expectations. From my perspective, the app appears to be a promising tool for service providers in Cologne.

Future Research Directions:

Future Research Directions:

Future Research Directions:

Looking ahead, there are several key areas where ‘Stuweg’ can expand and evolve to better serve its users. Firstly, the potential for nationwide scalability is immense, requiring focused research on developing algorithms and databases to tailor content based on the user’s location and specific city guidelines. Additionally, inclusive community engagement is vital, necessitating deeper discussions and interviews to ensure that the service design remains representative of the diverse student body, irrespective of community size. Multilingual support, particularly in German, and accessibility in design to accommodate users with disabilities are also crucial aspects for future iterations of ‘Stuweg’. Moreover, considering the inclusion of private universities and their unique needs further enhances the project's scope and impact.

In ongoing discussions and practices, feedback from TH Köln’s international office highlights actionable insights, including the importance of customization aligned with each university’s corporate identity and the necessity of maintaining a community-focused approach. Operational concerns such as content updates, data protection regulations, and legal considerations underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and collaboration with university stakeholders. Ultimately, the positive reception from TH Köln and the willingness to share the prototype affirm the relevance and potential impact of ‘Stuweg’, signaling a promising path forward in shaping the landscape of international student services in Germany.

Looking ahead, there are several key areas where ‘Stuweg’ can expand and evolve to better serve its users. Firstly, the potential for nationwide scalability is immense, requiring focused research on developing algorithms and databases to tailor content based on the user’s location and specific city guidelines. Additionally, inclusive community engagement is vital, necessitating deeper discussions and interviews to ensure that the service design remains representative of the diverse student body, irrespective of community size. Multilingual support, particularly in German, and accessibility in design to accommodate users with disabilities are also crucial aspects for future iterations of ‘Stuweg’. Moreover, considering the inclusion of private universities and their unique needs further enhances the project's scope and impact.

In ongoing discussions and practices, feedback from TH Köln’s international office highlights actionable insights, including the importance of customization aligned with each university’s corporate identity and the necessity of maintaining a community-focused approach. Operational concerns such as content updates, data protection regulations, and legal considerations underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and collaboration with university stakeholders. Ultimately, the positive reception from TH Köln and the willingness to share the prototype affirm the relevance and potential impact of ‘Stuweg’, signaling a promising path forward in shaping the landscape of international student services in Germany.

Looking ahead, there are several key areas where ‘Stuweg’ can expand and evolve to better serve its users. Firstly, the potential for nationwide scalability is immense, requiring focused research on developing algorithms and databases to tailor content based on the user’s location and specific city guidelines. Additionally, inclusive community engagement is vital, necessitating deeper discussions and interviews to ensure that the service design remains representative of the diverse student body, irrespective of community size. Multilingual support, particularly in German, and accessibility in design to accommodate users with disabilities are also crucial aspects for future iterations of ‘Stuweg’. Moreover, considering the inclusion of private universities and their unique needs further enhances the project's scope and impact.

In ongoing discussions and practices, feedback from TH Köln’s international office highlights actionable insights, including the importance of customization aligned with each university’s corporate identity and the necessity of maintaining a community-focused approach. Operational concerns such as content updates, data protection regulations, and legal considerations underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and collaboration with university stakeholders. Ultimately, the positive reception from TH Köln and the willingness to share the prototype affirm the relevance and potential impact of ‘Stuweg’, signaling a promising path forward in shaping the landscape of international student services in Germany.