An Examination of the Content of Mobile Applications Designed to Guide International Students

Abstract

This study aims to identify the challenges faced by international students in their educational and social lives in Turkey, to determine the essential content of a mobile guidance software to address these challenges, and to conduct a pilot evaluation of an exemplary mobile application entitled Software of Student (SOS). A cross-sectional research design and a pilot study/testing method, both belonging to quantitative research approaches, were employed. Data were collected through a survey administered to 40 international students from 21 different countries, as well as through the evaluation of the SOS software. According to the findings, the most frequently perceived challenge by international students is language, while the most significant experienced challenge is obtaining scholarships. Economic and bureaucratic difficulties also emerged as important issues. The features most desired in a mobile guidance application are, respectively, access to scholarship opportunities, language support tools, and school/university information. The pilot evaluation of the SOS software indicated that the majority of participants found the application favorable. The results reveal a strong relationship between the key challenges experienced by international students and their expectations from mobile software. Although the SOS software has been considered a potential support tool, it should be further developed to offer more comprehensive solutions, particularly regarding financial support and language barriers. The findings underscore the importance of designing digital guidance services and mobile applications for international students with a student-centered perspective.