Navigating Transitions: Envisioning Conversational User Interfaces to Support International Students

2026-05-15

AI Summary

This study addresses the psychological stress, loneliness, and cultural misunderstandings frequently experienced by international students during cross-cultural adaptation, noting the lack of tailored support tools in current practice. Through participatory design workshops, the research systematically investigates international students’ specific needs regarding conversational user interfaces (CUIs), integrating human-computer interaction and user experience methodologies to develop a user-centered CUI conceptual prototype. The work identifies key functionalities for mitigating uncertainty, loneliness, and cultural conflict, and proposes design principles for CUIs that support cross-cultural adjustment and psychological well-being. These contributions offer both theoretical grounding and practical guidance for the development of intelligent interfaces aimed at enhancing the welfare of international students.

Abstract

International students face struggles when adapting to the host country. They are more susceptible to mental health problems than domestic students. While Conversational User Interfaces (CUIs) are increasingly researched and implemented, research on how they may help international university students is still scarce. Thus, we conducted participatory design workshops with international students who shared their perspectives and struggles of studying abroad, in which they also envisioned CUIs as aids to support their transitions. Participants proposed features of a CUI to address uncertainty, loneliness, and misunderstandings of cultural differences. Our paper reveals international students' needs and provides design implications for CUIs to support their well-being.

Problem

• international students
• Conversational User Interfaces
• mental health
• cultural adaptation
• transition support

Innovation

• Conversational User Interfaces
• international students
• participatory design
• mental health support
• cultural adaptation