<aside> 👤 Sujoy Datta Product @Hike Messenger Linkedin, Email

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Idea

The idea is to build a personalized recommendation engine that helps students choose the best universities for studying abroad. The product takes into account various factors such as academic programs, affordability, location, culture, and job opportunities to provide students with a shortlist of the most suitable universities. UniScholars is an intuitive and user-friendly platform that caters to the individual needs of each student, ensuring that they can make informed decisions about their education and future career prospects.

Exploring the problem(s)

<aside> 💡 To explore the pilot initiative of enabling a user-friendly interface that lets students choose the best university as per their needs, it is essential to understand the audience and the problems in question.

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Data points

https://www.iie.org/news/us-institutions-top-choice-for-intl-students/ https://www.iie.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IIE_FallSnapshot_2021_KeyFindings_FINAL.pdf | | Student preferences | This data point refers to the factors that students consider when selecting a study abroad program. These factors could include the program's location, cost, academic program offerings, or cultural opportunities. Surveying students about their preferences can provide valuable insights into what is most important to students when choosing a study abroad program. | A survey conducted by the Institute of International Education found that the top factors influencing student decisions about study abroad programs include academic quality, program cost, location, and personal safety.

https://www.iie.org/news/2017-07-06-iie-survey-of-college-admissions-international-students-fall-2017/ | | Program popularity | This data point refers to the study abroad programs that are most popular among students. Understanding which programs are in high demand can help universities and organizations adjust their offerings to better meet the needs and preferences of students. It can also give insights into the factors that are driving student interest in certain programs. | https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/he-science/insights https://www.iie.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IC3-2021-Paper_International-Student-Mobility-Flows-and-COVID_2021_08_11.pdf

According to data from the Institute of International Education, some of the most popular study-abroad destinations for US students include the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany. A survey by the British Council found that the most popular destinations for Indian students studying abroad are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. | | Student satisfaction | This data point refers to how well study abroad programs are meeting the needs and expectations of students. Measuring student satisfaction with different programs can help universities and organizations identify areas where they can improve their programs to better meet the needs of students. | The International Student Barometer is a survey that measures student satisfaction with various aspects of the study abroad experience. According to data from the survey, students are most satisfied with academic quality, campus facilities, and campus environment, while they are least satisfied with the cost of living and financial support.

https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/international/isb2021.cfm | | Support services | This data point refers to the support services available to students who are considering or participating in study abroad programs. These services may include advising, pre-departure orientation, and in-country support. Evaluating the quality and availability of these support services can help universities and organizations address the challenges that students may face when navigating the study abroad process. | According to a survey conducted by the Forum on Education Abroad, some of the most commonly offered support services for study abroad students include pre-departure orientation, academic advising, and in-country support services such as emergency assistance and cultural activities. The same survey found that students who receive support services tend to have a more positive study abroad experience and are more likely to recommend their program to others.

https://forumea.org/resources/data-collection/ |

Key Findings from Data

<aside> 💡 Legend → 🔴 Priority 1, 🔵 Priority 2, 🟢 Priority 3 The above-mentioned legends are in decreasing order of urgency. The v1.0 of the product can include 80% of the P1 problems and 20% of the P2 problems. The P3 problems are good to have.

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https://indianexpress.com/article/education/indians-going-abroad-for-higher-studies-up-by-68-in-2022-8427568/

When it comes to opting for higher education offshore, a majority of the students prioritise safety followed by employability and the reputation of the university or institution. These factors, however, do not manifest as an important criterion for selecting a university in India. According to the study, students prioritise good weather, safety and social life when choosing a college or institution.

Is it worth kickstarting a solution for students who wish to study abroad but are overwhelmed by the number of options available?

The decision to launch a product for students who wish to study abroad but are overwhelmed by the number of options available depends on several factors, such as the demand for such a product, the level of competition in the market, and the resources available for product development and marketing.

• Increasing demand for study abroad programs: The number of students seeking international education has been increasing over the years. According to the Institute of International Education, there was a 1.5% increase in the number of US students studying abroad in the 2021-2022 academic year, with a total of 7,47,099 students studying abroad. This suggests that there is a growing market for products and services that support students in their study abroad journey.
• Need for guidance and support: As mentioned earlier, many students report feeling overwhelmed by the number of program options available, and there is significant demand for support services and guidance. Offering a product or service that addresses these challenges can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that students may experience during the study abroad process.
• Opportunity for innovation: While there are existing products and services that cater to study-abroad students, there is always room for innovation and improvement. By conducting market research and identifying gaps in the market, a product or service can be developed that offers a unique value proposition and differentiates itself from competitors.
• Potential for revenue generation: Developing a product for the study abroad market can have significant revenue potential. According to a report by Research and Markets, the global market for study abroad programs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.37% from 2020-2024. Additionally, a well-designed and marketed product can attract a large user base, resulting in revenue from subscriptions, advertisements, and partnerships.
• Social impact: Studying abroad has the potential to broaden students' perspectives and help them develop intercultural competencies. By offering a product or service that makes the study abroad process more accessible and manageable, more students may be able to experience the benefits of international education. This can have a positive social impact by promoting cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship.

<aside> ✅ Considering the above factors, it looks favourable to help students who wish to study abroad.

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Project Launch JTBD