The Mission
Student Compass is a smart onboarding and lifestyle app designed to solve the real challenges students face when moving to a new city. Launching in Maastricht, it will expand nationally and internationally. The app centralizes everything students need — administrative procedures, verified housing, financial setups (bank accounts, mobile operators, internet providers), transportation, local deals, handymen, cleaning services, and more — all in one simple, easy-to-use platform. Its unique value lies in comparison and personalization: students can easily compare housing options, service providers, and costs, while the app adapts automatically to their city, showing relevant housing agencies, events, cafes, study spots, and local partners. Another feature of our app — Compass AI — is a personal assistant that can help students with any requests related to student life, whenever they need it. From navigating administrative procedures to making lifestyle choices and finding local services, Compass AI provides timely guidance and support. By partnering with universities, local governments, housing agencies, service companies, and verified local providers, Student Compass builds a connected ecosystem that not only saves students time and reduces stress but also strengthens the communities that welcome them.
The Challenge
Each year, approximately 1.76 million students from abroad enroll in higher education across the EU, representing about 8.4% of all higher education students (European Commission, 2023), and many report difficulties with housing and navigating administrative procedures during their first months. Housing is often a major concern: a 2022–2023 survey by the European Students’ Union (ESU) and Erasmus Student Network found that 25% of students experienced housing scams and 41% lacked sufficient information about housing conditions (ESU & ESN, 2023). Information is often scattered across websites, written in unfamiliar languages, and not adapted to international needs. Students spend many hours researching essential services such as mobile providers, insurance, or accommodation — time that could be spent studying or socializing. Once settled, daily tasks like finding repairs, events, or reliable local services remain a challenge. What should be an exciting transition often turns into frustration and isolation. Despite many platforms offering partial solutions, none provide a single, student-focused tool that supports the entire journey — from arrival to everyday life. Student Compass aims to change that.
The solution
Student Compass is an all-in-one mobile app designed for international students moving to a new city. It brings everything they need into one place — verified services, essential information, partner offers, and reliable local recommendations — so students can get clear, fast, and safe options at every stage of their journey, from arrival to daily life. Key Capabilities: 📍 Verified housing marketplace – Compare listings side-by-side from trusted partner agencies, with direct calls and links for full details and booking. 📍 Administrative support – Step-by-step guidance for registration, required documents, and local procedures, including official links. 📍 Financial & telecom setup – Compare banks, internet providers, and mobile operators, with clear steps and direct provider access. 📍 Daily-life services – Find vetted handymen, cleaners, repair services, and essentials, with direct call and partner links. 📍 Compass AI assistant – Real-time help for admin tasks, checklists, and lifestyle questions, offering clear next steps. 📍 City discovery – Explore events, cafés, study spots, and student-friendly partners with tailored recommendations per city. 📍 Verified partnerships – Built with universities, local authorities, agencies, and vetted service providers to ensure safety and relevance. Value & Impact: Student Compass shortens weeks of research into hours by simplifying every essential decision — from housing and banking to local services and daily life. Students benefit from safer housing through verified partners, smoother onboarding, and a stronger sense of connection to their new city. In parallel, universities and municipalities gain better-supported students with fewer administrative bottlenecks, while local businesses reach a trusted student audience and drive higher conversions through targeted, verified exposure.