Project Open Doors was made in partnership with the International Refugee Committee. The IRC was looking for ways to create a "next step" for refugees that they work with. Project Open Doors is a proposal for a platform to make it easier to start the process of beginning college.
The first step for any prospective college student is typically to find a program to enroll in. To aid in this process, users select topics that interest them.
Using the topics selected, a list of programs is compiled based on overlapping interests. Each program profile shows what interests the program includes, a description of the program, a link to the corresponding college application page, and other basic information.
The College Checklist page provides a step by step guide on what a user needs to do to complete the application project. This includes checklists for personal documents, links to additional resources, and some basic financial aid information. On any particular step or document, a user can select a drop-down that provides more detailed descriptions or instructions.
As this platform is geared towards refugees, an important component of Open Doors is the mentor program. Prospective refugee students can sort through a mentor profiles to connect with someone who was also a refugee and has completed their degree. This provides them with the support of someone who has been in their shoes and can help guide them through their college experience. Each profile includes a short introductory video, basic information on the mentor, and a link to contact them to talk further.
