-
Welcome Page
Inspiration
Moving to a new country is exciting, but also confusing. As half of our team comprises of international students and new immigrants, we realized how difficult it can be to find reliable information about affordable restaurants, cultural events, meeting new like-minded people and local attractions. Many apps focus on just one need, but we wanted to create a central hub that makes it easier for newcomers to explore and feel at home in Canada.
What it does
CanFind is a one-stop web platform designed to help newcomers and international students discover essential local resources, learn about Canadian culture, and find events happening nearby. From affordable dining spots to tourist attractions and housing options, CanFind combines practicality with cultural education to help users integrate faster and more confidently.
How we built it
We built CanFind using a full-stack approach with React + Vite for the frontend and Node.js (Express) for the backend. The frontend, located in the canfindfrontend folder, handles the user interface and navigation, while the backend manages APIs for location data and newcomer resources. We collaborated through GitHub for version control, using Tailwind CSS for styling and integrating APIs for maps and local information. The project was developed and tested locally before preparing for future deployment.
Challenges we ran into
We faced a few challenges while building our project. It was difficult to connect and use APIs correctly and to manage location data so it updated in real time. We also had to learn how to host and link the frontend with the backend, which took some trial and error. Since this was our first hackathon, we had to manage our time carefully and divide tasks in a way that kept us on track. Finally, we worked hard to design a simple and attractive interface that newcomers would find easy to use.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud that we were able to create a functional and visually appealing prototype within the short hackathon timeframe. It was our first time collaborating using Git and GitHub, and we successfully built a full-stack project from scratch. Most importantly, we’re proud that we created something meaningful that supports newcomers like us and helps make settling in Canada easier.
What we learned
We learned the basics of React, Vite, and API integration, which helped us understand how different parts of a web app connect. We also learned how to work under time pressure, divide tasks efficiently, and value good UI/UX design for clarity and accessibility. Most importantly, we realized that even small steps, like displaying data on a page, can lead to big milestones in building a complete app.
What's next for CanFind
Next, we plan to add more features like personalized recommendations, real-time event updates, and community reviews to make CanFind even more useful. We also want to develop a mobile version so users can access it easily on the go. In the future, we hope to partner with local organizations and universities to reach more newcomers and help them feel at home in Canada.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.