A Chat Application Transforming the Study Abroad Experience
For aspiring students planning to study abroad, the journey is often accompanied by overwhelming decisions regarding courses, universities, student life, education loans, visas, curricula, and post-graduation job prospects. However, Uniting, a pioneering platform, is changing the game by providing a direct 1-1 communication channel with seniors and alumni who have studied the same course or at the same university, offering genuine insights and guidance.
Authenticity and peer-to-peer connections have become paramount for today’s students, leading them to seek advice beyond corporate marketing. According to a recent market survey conducted by Uniting in 2021-2022, with inputs from 20,000 current students and study abroad aspirants, the findings speak volumes:
- 9% of students felt that overseas education agents lack first-hand experience of studying abroad, making their guidance unreliable.
- 85% of students felt that they received incorrect program and university recommendations from study abroad agents.
- An astounding 97% of students felt more confident about their study abroad journey after speaking with current students or alumni.
These figures from the Uniting survey shed light on the challenges faced by aspiring students and the crucial role that peer mentorship plays in their decision-making process.
Factors Influencing Study Abroad Decisions
The survey also explored the top factors influencing aspiring students’ study abroad decisions. The results, sourced from the ‘Uniting’ Market Survey, provide valuable insights into the priorities of study abroad aspirants:
- Financial aid & Scholarships
- Departments/majors/courses
- Location
- Career opportunities after graduation
- Quality of facility/teaching
- Student support services
- Sports/clubs/social life
- University’s ranking & reputation
- University’s values
- Influence from family and friends
Uniting: Empowering Students through Personalized Connections
Uniting stands out as a user-friendly 1-1 chat application, akin to WhatsApp, enabling personalized communication and connections between aspiring students and alums or current students. Through text, audio, and video calls, Uniting addresses the challenge of accessing up-to-date, reliable, and accurate information about bachelor’s and master’s programs in preferred universities and countries. The platform ensures that verified mentors, including alums and current students, serve as trusted sources, sharing personalized information and authentic student life experiences.
The success of Uniting’s beta version, initially launched for Ireland studies, has been impressive. In just two months, the platform has partnered with over 100 seniors, garnered over 6,000 downloads, and facilitated 4,000 student interactions. This positive response led Uniting to unveil its new version at an official launch event, marking its transition from beta to a public platform.
Mr. Ilaya Bharathi, Managing Director of Uniting, expressed his sentiments during the launch: “Having my dreams of studying abroad shattered by deceitful information was devastating! I was desperately seeking unbiased guidance and real-time insights that seemed elusive. That’s precisely why Uniting was created, with the app designed to cater to the needs of this generation.”
Expanding Horizons and Commitment to Student Empowerment
Building on their early success, Uniting has plans to expand its mentor network to cover other countries and aims to serve one million students by the end of 2025. Uniting’s commitment to empowering students with reliable information and personalized support ensures that their study abroad journey is fulfilling and successful. The platform has already secured exclusive partnerships with the top 200 international schools and 150 private universities in India.
The Importance of Connecting with a Mentor
The survey conducted by Uniting highlighted students’ concerns about making the wrong