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@article{201016,
        author = {Dr. Rais Abdul Hamid Khan and Takunda Lennox J Galanje and Bernardo Eduardo Dramos Jr and Margret Andrea Dominic Safir and Preachmore Chanetsa},
        title = {Multi-Provider Digital Ecosystem for International Students: Integrating Cultural Assets and Support Services},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {12},
        pages = {1900-1904},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=201016},
        abstract = {International students face complex challenges abroad, including securing housing, finding culturally appropriate services, and overcoming language barriers. In 2022, there were about 6.9 million globally mobile tertiary students, many of whom report difficulty finding safe and affordable accommodation and cultural amenities. This study proposes a specialized digital marketplace – a multi-vendor platform – to address these gaps by aggregating verified vendors of housing, food, translation, legal aid, and cultural events, all enriched with multilingual support. We followed a user-centered, agile development process: conducting interviews and surveys with foreign students, iteratively designing prototypes (in Figma), and performing usability testing. Our prototype features include “validated partner” badges, advanced filters, language-switching support, and a student forum. Evaluation results showed that these features significantly improved usability and trust: participants more quickly found suitable housing and services, and appreciated culturally tailored recommendations. By democratizing access to resources, the platform enhances student well-being and creates new opportunities for local businesses. This solution serves as a scalable framework that can be adapted in diverse contexts, improving international student integration.},
        keywords = {International Students; Digital Ecosystem; Multi-Vendor Marketplace; User Experience (UX); Usability; Cultural Integration; Language Support.},
        month = {May},
        }