Connecting amazing people together.
Designing a new user interface to connect olim and native and create a new type of integration.
Connecting amazing people together.
Designing a new user interface to connect olim and native and create a new type of integration.
Connecting amazing people together.
Designing a new user interface to connect olim and native and create a new type of integration.
This app, will help olim to make their integration easier/ softer.
How: like a matchmaker taking into account their common points.
On both side, they need to build a strong profile and let the magic happen.
Goals: improve and strengthen Hebrew and create a connection with Israelis and their culture.
Case study
When you arrive in Israel, with finally your identity number, which you obtained after months of appointments and administrative procedures, you are proud and at the same time exhausted. We have many challenges ahead of us, including being able to speak the language. The latter is the key to good integration.
I personally made aliyah in February 2007, and I encountered this major problem:
how to communicate and how to become Israeli?
Let's the olim speak…
We gave the floor to a group of 19 olim, to first identify the level of their Hebrew at the time of their aliyah and their level today. In order to understand if the level of Hebrew is linked to the quality of integration. The answer is definitely yes.
We ask then this simple question:
Do you think your integration in the israeli society has been successful? Why?
Let's the olim speak…
We gave the floor to a group of 19 olim, to first identify the level of their Hebrew at the time of their aliyah and their level today. In order to understand if the level of Hebrew is linked to the quality of integration.
The answer is definitely yes.
We ask then this simple question:
Do you think your integration in the israeli society has been successful? Why?
Let's the olim speak…
We gave the floor to a group of 19 olim, to first identify the level of their Hebrew at the time of their aliyah and their level today. In order to understand if the level of Hebrew is linked to the quality of integration.
The answer is definitely yes.
We ask then this simple question:
Do you think your integration in the israeli society has been successful? Why?
Reactions about an application that connect native and olim
What do you think about a mobile application connecting native and new immigrant?
Reactions about an application that connect native and olim
What do you think abouta mobile appl ication connecting native and new immigrant?
Reactions about an application that connect native and olim
What do you think about a mobile application connecting native and new immigrant?
Flow1 : Ruben adds a new group to his group list
Flow2 : Ruben adds a new buddy to his
list
Flow1 : Ido receive a request from Ruben
“Meeting people from another country is enriching.”
Goals: Meet new people if possible in my field but not exclusively. Help olims to integrate better by sharing our culture with them.
Expectations: Have the ability to filter profile matches. And have flexibility in meeting time.
Pain point: etween my family and my work, I hope to find time.
Persona 2
Let's design
Prototype
Native Buddy. A mobile app that connects new immigrants with local natives through profile-based matching. Users build authentic relationships and practice language in real-world contexts. The experience merges Tinder’s matching mechanics, Meetup’s social discovery, and language app engagement patterns.
Add a new Buddy to your list
You can add a new buddy to your list at any time. Search filters help you narrow down and customize your search to find the perfect match. These filters can be modified whenever needed to refine your results.
Once you’ve found someone you’d like to connect with, simply send a buddy request to your selected contact. You’ll receive a notification as soon as they respond to your invitation.
Managing your buddy list is straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to grow and expand your network whenever you want to connect with new people.
Join groups matching your interests based on your registration profile, which you can update anytime to reflect changing preferences.
For example, Ruben looking for music enthusiasts in Tel Aviv can easily discover local music groups through his profile to share his passion and build connections.
Whether you’re into sports, arts, cooking, or other activities, our matching system helps you find your community and build friendships from day one.
Getting Started Guide
Join Groups Based on Your Interests
From your very first navigation on the application, you’ll be guided through every step to ensure a smooth experience. We’ll show you how to quickly and easily identify other members using our simple color-coding system: yellow represents Native Buddies (local community members ready to help), and red identifies New Immigrants (fellow newcomers). This visual system makes it effortless to connect with the right people based on your needs and shared experiences.
Key features
Users have the choice to connect either through a group based on their hobbies and interests, or directly with a specific individual. This dual approach doubles your chances for better integration and meaningful connections.
Users also have access to a map with their favorite and useful addresses, a chat function to communicate with their buddies, and a calendar to keep track of their appointments.
Impact
This platform tackles critical challenges newcomers face: social isolation, limited language practice opportunities, and difficulty accessing local networks. The design enables authentic connections through profile-based matching and guided interactions. Key intended outcomes include improved language confidence in real-world contexts, expanded professional and social circles, and accelerated cultural integration—all within a safe, welcoming environment.”
Celine Amiel
Celine Amiel, 2025
Flow2 : Ruben adds a new buddy to his list
Flow1 : Ruben adds a new group to his group list
“I finished ulpan, now I have to find a way to integrate myself as best I can into Israeli society.”
“I finished ulpan, now I have to find a way to integrate myself as best I can into Israeli society.”
Goals: Integrate quickly and improve my Hebrew for work and everyday life. Create my network and make new friends.
Goals: Integrate quickly and improve my Hebrew for work and everyday life. Create my network and make new friends.
Expectations: to be put in touch with native speakers who share the same interests as me and to be able to learn and improve my Hebrew.
Expectations: to be put in touch with native speakers who share the same interests as me and to be able to learn and improve my Hebrew.
Pain point: making myself understood for simple everyday things is a real challenge. It's exhausting.
Pain point: making myself understood for simple everyday things is a real challenge. It's exhausting.
Persona 1
Flow1 : Ido receive a request from Ruben
“Meeting people from another country is enriching.”
Goals: Meet new people if possible in my field but not exclusively. Help olims to integrate better by sharing our culture with them.
Expectations: tHave the ability to filter profile matches. And have flexibility in meeting time.
Pain point: etween my family and my work, I hope to find time.
Persona 2
Let's design
Research: Persona 2
Ido Senfield
25 y
Married+2
Tel Aviv
Software programmer
Goals: Meet new people if possible in my field but not exclusively. Help olims to integrate better by sharing our culture with them.
Expectations: Have the ability to filter profile matches. And have flexibility in meeting time.
Pain point: Between my family and my work, I hope to find time.
Hobby: travelling and softball
“Meeting people from another country is enriching.”
Advanced
Fluent
Languages
Prototype
Native Buddy. A mobile app that connects new immigrants with local natives through profile-based matching. Users build authentic relationships and practice language in real-world contexts. The experience merges Tinder’s matching mechanics, Meetup’s social discovery, and language app engagement patterns.
Getting Started Guide
From your very first navigation on the application, you’ll be guided through every step to ensure a smooth experience. We’ll show you how to quickly and easily identify other members using our simple color-coding system: yellow represents Native Buddies (local community members ready to help), and red identifies New Immigrants (fellow newcomers). This visual system makes it effortless to connect with the right people based on your needs and shared experiences.
Join Groups Based on Your Interests
Join groups matching your interests based on your registration profile, which you can update anytime to reflect changing preferences.
For example, Ruben looking for music enthusiasts in Tel Aviv can easily discover local music groups through his profile to share his passion and build connections.
Whether you’re into sports, arts, cooking, or other activities, our matching system helps you find your community and build friendships from day one.
Add a new Buddy to your list
You can add a new buddy to your list at any time. Search filters help you narrow down and customize your search to find the perfect match. These filters can be modified whenever needed to refine your results.
Once you’ve found someone you’d like to connect with, simply send a buddy request to your selected contact. You’ll receive a notification as soon as they respond to your invitation.
Managing your buddy list is straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to grow and expand your network whenever you want to connect with new people.
You can add a new buddy to your list at any time. Search filters help you narrow down and customize your search to find the perfect match. These filters can be modified whenever needed to refine your results.
Once you’ve found someone you’d like to connect with, simply send a buddy request to your selected contact. You’ll receive a notification as soon as they respond to your invitation.
Managing your buddy list is straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to grow and expand your network whenever you want to connect with new people.
Key features
Impact
Users have the choice to connect either through a group based on their hobbies and interests, or directly with a specific individual. This dual approach doubles your chances for better integration and meaningful connections.
Users also have access to a map with their favorite and useful addresses, a chat function to communicate with their buddies, and a calendar to keep track of their appointments.
This platform tackles critical challenges newcomers face: social isolation, limited language practice opportunities, and difficulty accessing local networks. The design enables authentic connections through profile-based matching and guided interactions. Key intended outcomes include improved language confidence in real-world contexts, expanded professional and social circles, and accelerated cultural integration—all within a safe, welcoming environment.”
Celine Amiel
Celine Amiel, 2025
Celine Amiel
Celine Amiel, 2025