Hello Carolina
From Empathy to Design
The Problem
How might we help international students feel more confident navigating a new environment? Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming — from figuring out transportation to understanding social cues. Many international students at UNC face challenges adjusting to daily life on and off campus.
Product Design
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Hello Carolina is an interactive learning platform designed to support international students in in adapting to life in Chapel Hill.
The platform breaks down common challenges into clear, step-by-step task cards. It enables students to easily revisit procedures after completing a related course, solving the problem of forgetting key steps when facing these tasks in real life.
To support platform’s content, a transportation course is built to supports learners in understanding and using the bus system around Chapel Hill
My Role
Prototype Design (Team-based)
The platform prototype was designed in Figma, with leadership focused on user flow structure, interface interactions, and alignment with the real-world needs of international students. The work was carried out collaboratively with one additional team member.
Course Development(Independent)
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Full-cycle design, including curriculum mapping, visual asset creation, storyline prototyping, and voiceover integration
Process of Course Development
Hello Carolina: Transportation Module
A Self-paced Course for New International Students
Project Overview
This module is part of a larger course designed to help international students in Chapel Hill navigate the public transportation system.
Tools:
Storyline 360
Vyond
Adobe Premiere Pro​
Google Cloud
Designer
​Fuqing Ye
Audience
International Students who are new in the U.S.
01
Course Planning & SME Insights
To design this course, I used a backward design approach to align learning goals, assessments, and activities. The module focuses on helping international students build real-world transportation skills, including using apps, navigating routes, and communicating with drivers.
To ground my design in authentic needs, I interviewed a former international student now working in New York. He described early struggles with cultural differences—like tipping and pre-tax pricing—and the emotional stress of adjusting alone in a new country. These insights reminded me that international students need more than just step-by-step instructions; they also need cultural context and emotional support.
This interview directly informed my course planning, helping me create activities that not only teach practical tasks but also reduce confusion and anxiety.
02
Course Draft
Based on the course mapping, I created a detailed draft of the first lesson: Taking the Bus — Riding RTP Like a Local.
This lesson combines short videos, scenario-based questions, cultural comparisons, and real-world tasks to help students build both knowledge and confidence. Each activity is directly tied to a learning objective, covering topics like using transit apps, understanding bus etiquette, and responding to unexpected situations.
The structure is designed to be simple, interactive, and supportive, especially for students who may be navigating a public transportation system for the first time.
03
Final Curriculum Design
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The final course was developed and published using Articulate Rise, allowing for an interactive and mobile-friendly learning experience. The content is structured into short, focused sections, combining visuals, videos, real-life examples, and quick assessments.
To support first-time bus users, the course walks students through:
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Basic system knowledge (e.g., number lines, app setup)
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Social and cultural etiquette
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Safety scenarios based on real student experiences
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A practice task encouraging students to try a real or simulated bus ride
The tone is supportive and practical, designed to reduce anxiety and help students feel more prepared to navigate public transportation independently.