Country of Residence
United States
Age
16
Project title
The international bridge
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
I created the International Bridge, an organization dedicated to empowering and helping international students successfully navigate the American education system.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
https://www.instagram.com/the.international.bridge?stkn=MWs1ZmM2Ymp3bGlnaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Project Category
My project is an existing project that I started
Project Stage
Growth (We’ve moved past the very first activities and are beginning to have consistent weekly or monthly impact)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
At fifteen years old I have been through 11 different schools and 3 different school systems in 3 different continents between Europe, North America and Africa. At fifteen I moved back from Nigeria to America and was immediately confronted with challenges that extended far beyond adapting to a new culture. Separated from my family, I navigated a new educational system, an unfamiliar environment, and the expectations of junior year without the support network I had always relied upon. The isolation was overwhelming, and I quickly realized that many international students faced similar obstacles but lacked the guidance needed to overcome them. As I adjusted to life in the United States, I experienced firsthand the barriers international students encounter, from understanding academic requirements and college preparation to adapting to a completely different school culture. Rather than allowing these challenges to define my experience, I saw an opportunity to create meaningful change. Driven by my own journey, I founded International Bridge to help other people who are also in similar positions.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
70% of International students who come to America lose opportunities because they lack information. I was one of those students, struggling in a new country that I was supposed to be so accustomed to. I didn't understand what AP classes were, what standardized testing was, or what GPA was, nor did I have a GPA. I was also accelerated a grade because my counsellor didn't understand the Nigerian-British system. This is the same for many international students who have not schooled in America and come to America. This problem matters to me because I have seen so many international students who struggle with academics and adjusting. For example, one of my friends who came from England to America failed at American coursework because they didn't understand it. I was able to help her because I was schooled in England, and in Nigeria I was under the British curriculum, but I realized there are so many people like me and her in a wider range who need help, so I created the International Bridge to help those people.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
What began as a response to my personal struggles grew into a community of more than 1,000 students supported by 70 volunteers. Through mentorship, resource-sharing, and educational outreach, International Bridge gives students the information, support, and sense of belonging I wish I'd had when I first arrived. By sharing my experiences and helping others understand the pathways available to them, I have transformed personal adversity into a platform for service and advocacy. The International Bridge addresses these transition challenges through a multi-faceted approach, including informative social media content, website resources, and student-led workshops featuring successful international peers. We host fundraising events- such as selling baked goods, bracelets, crafts, and drinks-having successfully raised $200 in our first week, alongside running structured tutoring sessions. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our outreach to middle and elementary schools while scaling our support system nationally and internationally.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
Moving between 11 schools on 3 different continents was hard, so I tried my best to expand the International Bridge as much as possible. In just three months, The International Bridge has built an electric online community of over 1,000 students and mobilized over 70 global and local volunteers. Our website attracts 80+ weekly visitors, and our newly launched tutoring program supported 15+ students in its first month alone, successfully boosting students' test scores- specifically international students- by an average of 30%. Through our targeted digital outreach, we have reached over 20,000 individuals globally. Locally, our impact is increasing; our high school chapter launched at Folsom High School secured over 100 student sign-ups. To date, we have raised $200 towards our initial 1,000 milestone, which will directly fund resources for international students.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
When I moved to America, I faced a complete blind spot regarding the American education curriculum, and I found no centralized guidance anywhere. I realized this was an ongoing, unaddressed challenge for newcomers, such as my friend who came from England to America and was also struggling in subjects such as math because it was different in England. I was able to guide her because I have been through the British curriculum both in Nigeria and England, but I realized these issues need to be addressed on a wider scale. So, I created the International Bridge, a pioneering digital platform and initiative that provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to help international students successfully navigate and succeed within the American school system.
How many people are on your team?
10
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
Our 10-member team operates through shared collaborative leadership. I serve as president. Online directors, Amal and Amani, drive research for our social media and website, information management, social media outreach, and expansion into NYC and the UK. Our Folsom leadership team: Radhika (Vice President), Alexis (Secretary), Allison (Treasurer), Meghna (Event Coordinator), Akshita (PRC) lead fundraising, events, outreach, and tutoring coordination.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Over the next 9 months, my goals are to scale the international bridge by partnering with established organizations such as the Students Basic Needs Coalition and MV3. I plan to pursue formal nonprofit status, launch a targeted fundraising campaign toward our $100,000 goal to directly support and aid transitioning international students, tutor at least 100 students by the end of May, and initiate a material donation drive for students in need.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
To incentivize participation, we offer school graduation cords for volunteers who complete 70 to 90 volunteer hours in Folsom, alongside with certificates and leadership positions both globally and in Folsom for those reaching 200 hours. To date, we have engaged over 70 passionate volunteers who actively coordinate events, lead fundraising, manage workshops, oversee tutoring sessions, and mentor incoming students.
