PeekPMK

Studying abroad is often described as an exciting adventure, but behind the new experiences and opportunities lies the challenge of adapting to a completely different environment. As a Malaysian student in Korea, I often noticed that many of us shared the same struggles: feeling isolated, searching for reliable information, and wishing there was an easier way to connect with fellow Malaysians. This observation became the inspiration for my project — an application designed specifically to strengthen the connectivity of Malaysian students living in Korea.

The idea behind the app was simple yet impactful: create a digital space where students could not only stay connected, but also access resources, share events, and support one another. Building it, however, required careful thought and technical effort. I began with React Native to ensure cross-platform usability, and used Supabase as the backend for authentication and real-time data handling. To visualize the design and user experience, I prototyped in Figma before moving into development. Core features included a community feed for announcements and opportunities, group chat for networking, and an admin panel to manage users and content.

Throughout the process, I learned lessons that went beyond coding. On the technical side, I became familiar with resolving dependency conflicts in React Native, structuring authentication systems, and working with real-time databases. On the human side, I learned to prioritize inclusivity in design, to balance usability with security, and to manage my limited time effectively, much like in a real hackathon setting. These lessons made me realize that building an app is not just about lines of code but about understanding and responding to user needs.

Of course, the journey was not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was handling version and dependency conflicts during setup, which forced me to debug and adapt packages manually. Designing a secure yet user-friendly authentication system also tested my ability to find the right balance between ease of access and proper verification. Finally, the constraint of time meant that I had to leave out some ambitious features, focusing instead on building a stable and functional prototype.

In the end, this project was more than just a technical exercise — it was a step toward building a stronger sense of community among Malaysian students in Korea. By turning a personal pain point into a practical solution, I came to appreciate how technology can be used to bring people closer together. In the future, I plan to enhance the app with features such as event registration, career opportunity sharing, and smoother integration with university systems. What started as an idea born out of loneliness has grown into a meaningful project that has the potential to create lasting impact.

Built With

• a
• and
• application
• authentication
• autoprefixer
• database
• eslint
• for
• full-stack
• lucide-react
• modern
• npm
• postcss
• react-18
• real-time
• supabase-(postgresql)
• tailwind-css
• typescript
• vite
• web
• with