Designing OnePlaceDK: A Centralized Platform to Support International Students' Everyday-Life Information Needs in Denmark
Authors
Mun, Khandakar Sanjana Akter ; Asraf, Rifat ; Bist, Birendra
Term
4. term
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-06-01
Pages
129
Abstract
International students in Denmark often struggle to find clear, trustworthy information for everyday tasks such as housing, healthcare, taxes, transport, banking, and using digital public systems. Information is spread across many platforms, making it hard to know where to start and how different processes connect. This study examines how international students search for, access, and make sense of everyday information in Denmark’s digital and administrative landscape. It uses the Double Diamond design framework (discover, define, develop, deliver) and draws on Everyday-Life Information Seeking and Information Practices (how people find and use information), Information Resilience (how they cope and adapt when information is hard to find), and Communities of Practice (peer groups that share knowledge). Methods: A mixed-methods approach combined a systematic literature review, semi-structured interviews, an expert interview, a survey, and usability testing. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis (identifying recurring patterns and themes). Findings: Students faced recurring issues: fragmented sources, interconnected administrative steps, language barriers, and uncertainty about which sources to trust. Many relied on peer networks and online communities for clarification and reassurance. Solution: Based on these insights, the study proposes OnePlaceDK, a centralized digital platform offering step-by-step guidance, video explainers, simplified texts, links to official resources, and AI-assisted support. Usability tests showed positive responses and suggest the platform can improve access to information and reduce settlement-related uncertainty. Conclusion: The study deepens understanding of international students’ everyday information seeking and shows how user-centered design can inform practical support solutions in Denmark.
Internationale studerende i Danmark har ofte svært ved at finde klar og pålidelig information om hverdagsopgaver som bolig, sundhedsvæsen, skat, transport, bank og digitale offentlige systemer. Information er spredt på mange platforme, hvilket gør det svært at vide, hvor man skal starte, og hvordan forskellige processer hænger sammen. Dette studie undersøger, hvordan internationale studerende søger, får adgang til og forstår hverdagsinformation i Danmarks digitale og administrative landskab. Det anvender Double Diamond-designrammen (opdage, definere, udvikle, levere) og bygger på teorier om Everyday-Life Information Seeking og Information Practices (hvordan mennesker finder og bruger information), Information Resilience (hvordan de håndterer og tilpasser sig, når information er svær at finde) og Communities of Practice (fællesskaber, der deler viden). Metode: En mixed-methods tilgang kombinerede en systematisk litteraturgennemgang, semistrukturerede interviews, et ekspertinterview, en spørgeskemaundersøgelse og brugertest. Data blev analyseret med tematisk analyse (at identificere tilbagevendende mønstre og temaer). Resultater: Studerende oplevede gentagne problemer: fragmenterede kilder, forbundne administrative trin, sprogbarrierer og usikkerhed om, hvilke kilder der er troværdige. Mange brugte netværk blandt medstuderende og onlinefællesskaber til afklaring og tryghed. Løsning: På baggrund af disse indsigter foreslår studiet OnePlaceDK, en central digital platform med trin-for-trin vejledning, video-forklaringer, forenklede beskrivelser, links til officielle ressourcer og AI-assisteret støtte. Brugertests viste positive reaktioner og peger på, at platformen kan forbedre adgangen til information og mindske usikkerhed i bosættelsen. Konklusion: Studiet giver bedre forståelse af internationale studerendes hverdagsinformationssøgning og viser, hvordan brugercentreret design kan bruges til at udvikle praktiske støtteløsninger i Danmark.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]