Pathways abroad
Pathways abroad
Pathways Abroad is a thesis project designed to empower students in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) with a practical, accessible guide to studying abroad.
As an EOP student myself, I experienced firsthand the financial stress, lack of clarity, and emotional hesitation surrounding global education opportunities. This project transforms those barriers into structured, achievable steps through intentional design.
Goal:
To make study abroad feel attainable, affordable, and clearly navigable for EOP students.
The Problem
The Problem
Although study abroad is often described as life-changing, many EOP students perceive it as out of reach.
Key Barriers Identified:
Financial concerns beyond tuition (travel, housing, daily expenses)
Limited awareness of funding opportunities
Overwhelming and unclear application processes
Lack of representation within study abroad spaces
Insufficient centralized resources tailored to EOP students
Despite EOP’s academic and financial support structure, study abroad remains underrepresented within this community.
Design Question:
How might we create a resource that simplifies the process while building confidence and visibility for EOP students?
Although study abroad is often described as life-changing, many EOP students perceive it as out of reach.
Key Barriers Identified:
Financial concerns beyond tuition (travel, housing, daily expenses)
Limited awareness of funding opportunities
Overwhelming and unclear application processes
Lack of representation within study abroad spaces
Insufficient centralized resources tailored to EOP students
Despite EOP’s academic and financial support structure, study abroad remains underrepresented within this community.
Design Question:
How might we create a resource that simplifies the process while building confidence and visibility for EOP students?
The Problem
Although study abroad is often described as life-changing, many EOP students perceive it as out of reach.
Key Barriers Identified:
Financial concerns beyond tuition (travel, housing, daily expenses)
Limited awareness of funding opportunities
Overwhelming and unclear application processes
Lack of representation within study abroad spaces
Insufficient centralized resources tailored to EOP students
Despite EOP’s academic and financial support structure, study abroad remains underrepresented within this community.
Design Question:
How might we create a resource that simplifies the process while building confidence and visibility for EOP students?
Research & Community Engagement
Research & Community Engagement
Community Research
Spoke with EOP freshmen about fears and misconceptions
Interviewed students who studied abroad
Interviewed students interested but unsure where to begin
Attended the Study Abroad Fair to observe common questions and behaviors
Institutional Collaboration
Held recurring meetings with the EOP advisor
Met with Study Abroad advisors
Consulted financial aid advisors to ensure financial accuracy
Adapted to departmental transitions during development
Key Insights
Financial anxiety was the primary barrier
Students lacked clear, step-by-step guidance
Peer stories significantly increased motivation
Students needed both emotional reassurance and practical tools
These insights directly shaped the structure and tone of the project.
Community Research
Spoke with EOP freshmen about fears and misconceptions
Interviewed students who studied abroad
Interviewed students interested but unsure where to begin
Attended the Study Abroad Fair to observe common questions and behaviors
Institutional Collaboration
Held recurring meetings with the EOP advisor
Met with Study Abroad advisors
Consulted financial aid advisors to ensure financial accuracy
Adapted to departmental transitions during development
Key Insights
Financial anxiety was the primary barrier
Students lacked clear, step-by-step guidance
Peer stories significantly increased motivation
Students needed both emotional reassurance and practical tools
These insights directly shaped the structure and tone of the project.
Research & Community Engagement
Community Research
Spoke with EOP freshmen about fears and misconceptions
Interviewed students who studied abroad
Interviewed students interested but unsure where to begin
Attended the Study Abroad Fair to observe common questions and behaviors
Institutional Collaboration
Held recurring meetings with the EOP advisor
Met with Study Abroad advisors
Consulted financial aid advisors to ensure financial accuracy
Adapted to departmental transitions during development
Key Insights
Financial anxiety was the primary barrier
Students lacked clear, step-by-step guidance
Peer stories significantly increased motivation
Students needed both emotional reassurance and practical tools
These insights directly shaped the structure and tone of the project.
Design Strategy & Development
Design Strategy & Development
Deliverables
Digital website prototype (Figma)
Printed guide / zine
Financial breakdown resources
Step-by-step application roadmap
Student testimonial integration
Collaborative resource file with student-recommended tools and apps
Branding & Visual Direction
Built from school colors while increasing vibrancy
Refined design to feel more unisex and inclusive after feedback
Developed a collage-inspired visual system
Created a cohesive animation style for digital continuity
Implemented strong typographic hierarchy for clarity
Accessibility Focus
Clear section navigation
Simplified financial explanations
Gradual information flow to reduce overwhelm
Direct, supportive tone
The design balances warmth (personal narrative) with structure (practical guidance).
Deliverables
Digital website prototype (Figma)
Printed guide / zine
Financial breakdown resources
Step-by-step application roadmap
Student testimonial integration
Collaborative resource file with student-recommended tools and apps
Branding & Visual Direction
Built from school colors while increasing vibrancy
Refined design to feel more unisex and inclusive after feedback
Developed a collage-inspired visual system
Created a cohesive animation style for digital continuity
Implemented strong typographic hierarchy for clarity
Accessibility Focus
Clear section navigation
Simplified financial explanations
Gradual information flow to reduce overwhelm
Direct, supportive tone
The design balances warmth (personal narrative) with structure (practical guidance).
Design Strategy & Development
Deliverables
Digital website prototype (Figma)
Printed guide / zine
Financial breakdown resources
Step-by-step application roadmap
Student testimonial integration
Collaborative resource file with student-recommended tools and apps
Branding & Visual Direction
Built from school colors while increasing vibrancy
Refined design to feel more unisex and inclusive after feedback
Developed a collage-inspired visual system
Created a cohesive animation style for digital continuity
Implemented strong typographic hierarchy for clarity
Accessibility Focus
Clear section navigation
Simplified financial explanations
Gradual information flow to reduce overwhelm
Direct, supportive tone
The design balances warmth (personal narrative) with structure (practical guidance).
Challenges | Timeline & Impact
Challenges | Timeline & Impact
Challenges
Managing extensive research alongside design production
Coordinating with multiple advisors during departmental changes
Refining branding based on early feedback about inclusivity
Maintaining clarity while addressing complex financial information
These challenges strengthened my adaptability, communication, and project management skills.
Timeline
Fall: Research, interviews, advisor collaboration
January–February: Visual language & content development
February–March: Prototype & zine drafts
March–April: Testing, feedback, revisions
April–May: Final production & thesis exhibition
Impact
Pathways Abroad reframes study abroad as an achievable opportunity rather than an exclusive privilege. By combining lived experience, community research, and intentional information design, the project equips EOP students with clarity, confidence, and actionable steps toward global education.
Challenges
Managing extensive research alongside design production
Coordinating with multiple advisors during departmental changes
Refining branding based on early feedback about inclusivity
Maintaining clarity while addressing complex financial information
These challenges strengthened my adaptability, communication, and project management skills.
Timeline
Fall: Research, interviews, advisor collaboration
January–February: Visual language & content development
February–March: Prototype & zine drafts
March–April: Testing, feedback, revisions
April–May: Final production & thesis exhibition
Impact
Pathways Abroad reframes study abroad as an achievable opportunity rather than an exclusive privilege. By combining lived experience, community research, and intentional information design, the project equips EOP students with clarity, confidence, and actionable steps toward global education.
Challenges | Timeline & Impact
Challenges
Managing extensive research alongside design production
Coordinating with multiple advisors during departmental changes
Refining branding based on early feedback about inclusivity
Maintaining clarity while addressing complex financial information
These challenges strengthened my adaptability, communication, and project management skills.
Timeline
Fall: Research, interviews, advisor collaboration
January–February: Visual language & content development
February–March: Prototype & zine drafts
March–April: Testing, feedback, revisions
April–May: Final production & thesis exhibition
Impact
Pathways Abroad reframes study abroad as an achievable opportunity rather than an exclusive privilege. By combining lived experience, community research, and intentional information design, the project equips EOP students with clarity, confidence, and actionable steps toward global education.
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