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Spoken Interaction for Cultural Onboarding : A Voice-Based Assistant for First-Year International Students

Spanova, Indira (2025) Spoken Interaction for Cultural Onboarding : A Voice-Based Assistant for First-Year International Students.

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Abstract:For many first-year international students, starting university can be a challenging experience involving practical, emotional, and cultural transitions. However, existing onboarding tools often overlook the cultural dimension, leaving students to navigate unfamiliar norms without structured support. This study investigates the potential of Onboarding Buddy, a voice-based assistant designed to support cultural integration through spoken interaction and role-play scenarios. The research began with qualitative interviews with eight international students to identify key cultural challenges and expectations. Based on these insights, a low-fidelity prototype was developed and subsequently evaluated with seven students. The evaluation focused on perceived usefulness, relatability, and emotional safety. Results showed that students found the tool helpful, emotionally supportive, and especially valuable for building confidence in unfamiliar social situations. These findings suggest that thoughtfully designed spoken interaction can provide an accessible and empathetic approach to cultural onboarding for international students in higher education.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Programme:Business & IT BSc (56066)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/107395
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