ConnectEd
More than 57.000 of Colombian students pursue their higher education abroad. While many aim to strengthen their careers, they encounter obstacles such as limited funding, unclear information, and lack of guidance. To address these challenges, ConnectEd emerges as a digital platform that links prospective students with peers who have already experienced studying abroad, offering support, guidance, and tools to boost confidence and motivation throughout the process.
Understanding the pain points
Design Process
Audience
Wireframes
Research revealed four key insights: students prefer guidance from peers or experts with firsthand experience; financial resources are difficult to access and often shared only by word of mouth; fears and uncertainties slow down their search; and networking abroad is seen as essential for professional opportunities. Together, these findings highlight a common need—the importance of connecting people.
Designing with Intent
Design System
Final results
ConnectEd is built on three pillars:
Safe guidance through verified ambassadors and non-verified student advisors.
Social connections linking students with peers and institutions.
Shared learning via community journeys and recommendations.
The platform serves both aspirants and supporters through mentorship workshops, adaptive interfaces, and iterative design. Each user type has a tailored experience: yellow for aspirants, purple for ambassadors, and blue for advisors.
