NextHome

NextHome - Your Gateway to Hassle-Free Housing Abroad

Inspiration

During the English Enhancement Program (EEP) at CMU Africa, we saw the challenges faced by international students as their stay in the Phoenix apartment came to an end. Many students were left without a place to call home, struggling to secure accommodation before starting their studies. This experience sparked the idea for NextHome. I realized that creating an app to connect international students with local brokers and Rwandan students could ease this transition, helping them find a home and integrate into the community before they land.

What We Learned

From this experience, I learned the critical importance of pre-arrival planning and community support for international students. I discovered that the process of finding housing could be significantly smoother with proper connections and early preparation. This insight drove me to develop a solution that not only addresses the immediate need for housing but also fosters long-term relationships and cultural exchange.

How We Built the Project

To build NextHome, we began by researching the needs of international students and local housing practices. We designed an app that links students with local brokers and Rwandan students, facilitating communication and housing arrangements. The platform also leverages "Tartan Tuesday" events to connect users with brokers and local contacts. I worked on developing a user-friendly interface that allows students to browse options, communicate, and finalize agreements from their home country. You can find a project look here: Figma

Challenges Faced

One of the main challenges was ensuring that the app could effectively connect students with reliable brokers and housing options. I also had to consider how to integrate cultural orientation features to help students acclimate to their new environment. Balancing these needs with a user-friendly design required careful planning and iterative development.