Educatius Awards $5,000 to International Student for Peer Community Support Network

GOTHENBURG, [December 17, 2024] – Global student exchange organization Educatius is proud to announce Kelly Bui from Vietnam as the winner of the $5,000 Community Impact Fund for her innovative project, The Helper. Inspired by her experience as an international student, Kelly’s project will create a peer-to-peer support network to help international students navigate cultural transitions, strengthen resilience, and thrive during their exchange year.

Kelly studied with Educatius at a private high school in the USA for two years and is now attending Pacific Lutheran University. Her project addresses a growing need for accessible, student-driven support systems, providing practical advice and emotional reassurance for students navigating a new culture, language, and environment.

The need for peer support in international education
Research has shown that mental health challenges are widespread among students globally, particularly first-year and international students:

• In the World Health Organization’s international college student survey, nearly one-third of first-year students screened positive for anxiety, mood, or substance use disorders.
• A UK study found that 75% of students facing mental health difficulties disclosed their struggles to peers, while only a small fraction sought help through formal services.
• Peer-run programs for mental health have been shown to produce significant reductions in symptoms, performing as effectively as professional-led interventions in community settings.

These findings demonstrate that students naturally turn to peers for guidance and support—especially when barriers like stigma or access limit their ability to seek professional help.

The Helper: A platform with purpose
Kelly’s project, The Helper, builds on this evidence. By connecting current and former exchange students, the platform will provide:

• Practical guidance: Advice on integrating into host families, improving language skills, and navigating school and community life.
• Peer-driven support: Virtual small chats, “hangouts,” and shared experiences to ease transitions.
• Community connection: A safe, supportive space for international students to feel heard and understood.

Judges praised Kelly’s project for its scalability, simplicity, and alignment with Educatius’ Global Youth Resilience Initiative, which focuses on equipping students with tools to overcome challenges while abroad.

“The Helper aligns perfectly with our focus on student well-being. Peer-to-peer networks are incredibly powerful—students trust advice from their peers most,” said one judge. Another added: “Kelly’s project offers meaningful, hands-on support that can directly impact our students—current, future, and alumni—while creating a sustainable community platform.”

Celebrating all finalists
Educatius congratulates all four finalists—Kelly from Vietnam, Fabian Andersen from Norway, María Dolores Martinez from Spain, and Céline Stutz from Switzerland—for their projects focused on positive change, inspired by their high school exchange program. Each finalist will receive a free Global Skills Prep Course to support their future endeavors.

Supporting Kelly’s vision
To help bring The Helper to life, Kelly will receive mentorship from a dedicated panel of Educatius staff, including Ana Rodriguez, Student Experience Advisor; Annsleigh Carter, Director of Student Experience; Jodi Del Razo, Director of Student Placement USA; and Julia Zhou, Director of Customer Success.

Collectively, this team brings almost 40 years of experience supporting international students while on Educatius exchange programs. They will provide Kelly with guidance, resources, and feedback as she develops and launches The Helper ahead of the 2025 academic year.

Educatius’ commitment to student resilience
With 20 years of experience and a presence in 22 countries, Educatius facilitates enriching exchange programs for over 8,000 high school students annually. Through initiatives like the Global Youth Resilience Initiative, Educatius ensures that students receive the tools and support they need to thrive academically and personally. Kelly’s project is a natural extension of this mission—fostering community, resilience, and success among international students.