AI Tools are growing everyday, and new ones are constantly being released, this begs the question what resources should I use? And for what purpose?
We’ve created an AI Toolkit for international Education, the tools below are not a universal recommendation list. They are a practical starting point for international education teams exploring how AI and adjacent education technology can support the student journey.
Institutions should evaluate each tool based on their own goals, budget, accessibility requirements, data privacy policies, procurement rules, and student populations.
AI Toolkit for international Education
The toolkit is organized around four stages:
- Discover — helping students explore programs, institutions, destinations, and opportunities
- Apply — supporting applications, interviews, documents, essays, and visa-related processes
- Thrive — supporting belonging, engagement, wellbeing, and student success
- Learn — supporting academic preparation, language development, tutoring, and reflection
Discover: Tools for Student Discovery, Recruitment, and Program Matching
The discovery phase is where students begin exploring global opportunities.
AI and digital platforms can help students compare options, ask better questions, and connect with institutions or peers earlier in the process.
Element451
An AI-powered student engagement CRM designed for higher education recruitment. International education teams can use platforms like this to manage inquiries, personalize outreach, and support prospective students through early decision-making.
Mainstay
A conversational AI platform focused on student engagement, enrollment, and onboarding. It can support nudges, reminders, and student communication at scale.
Ocelot
An AI chatbot platform for student services, admissions, and financial aid questions. For international education, tools like this can help answer common questions and reduce repetitive staff workload.
Unibuddy
A peer-to-peer student ambassador platform that connects prospective students with current students. This can be useful for international recruitment, peer storytelling, and authentic student-to-student engagement.
ZeeMee
A social platform helping prospective students connect with universities and other students. It can support community-building before enrollment or program participation.
Studyportals
A global course search platform for international students. It helps students explore study options across countries, institutions, and degree programs.
ApplyBoard
A platform connecting international students with schools and programs around the world. It supports the discovery and application process for globally mobile students.
Keystone Education Group
A network of education search platforms that help students find programs globally. Useful for institutions thinking about international visibility and student discovery.
Edvoy
A study abroad platform that supports program search, matching, and application guidance for students exploring international study options.
EduRank
A ranking platform based on research output, citations, and institutional data. Students may use platforms like this when comparing institutions and destinations.
Niche
A reviews and rankings platform focused primarily on U.S. schools, colleges, and universities. It can influence student perception and discovery.
Sonia AI
An AI assistant listed in the toolkit for student services and admissions support. Before publishing or recommending it formally, institutions should verify the specific product fit and official use case.
Apply: Tools for Applications, Interviews, Essays, Documents, and Visa Processes
The application stage can be one of the biggest friction points for students.
AI and digital tools can help students organize materials, prepare for interviews, understand requirements, and manage documents. Institutions can also use these tools to reduce confusion and improve completion rates.
Kira Talent
An asynchronous video interview platform used in admissions. It can help institutions evaluate applicants and support structured interview processes.
CollegeVine
An AI-supported college planning and application platform. Students can use it for application planning, school comparison, and admissions guidance.
Common App
A widely used application platform accepted by many U.S. colleges and universities. While not an AI tool in itself, it is central to the application journey for many students.
EssayPro
A writing and editing assistance platform. Institutions should be careful with academic integrity considerations, but students may use writing-support tools during application preparation.
ChatGPT
A conversational AI assistant that can help with brainstorming, drafting, editing, and simplifying text. In international education, it can support essay brainstorming, advising email drafts, student FAQs, and pre-departure materials. Staff and students should avoid entering sensitive personal data.
Boundless
An online immigration platform focused on visa and immigration processes. Students and families may use platforms like this to understand immigration pathways, though official guidance should always be verified.
Sherpa
Listed in the toolkit as an AI-driven application coaching and admissions guidance tool. Because multiple products use the Sherpa name, institutions should verify the exact provider and use case before linking it in official materials.
Envoy Global
A global immigration management platform. It may be relevant for institutions or organizations dealing with immigration processes and international mobility.
DocuSign
A digital signature platform that can support application paperwork, agreements, waivers, and other documents requiring secure signatures.
VisaWyzr
Listed in the toolkit as an AI tool for simplifying visa applications and document checklists. Institutions should verify the official site and product before formal use.
AdmitKard
A study abroad consulting and application support platform, particularly known in the South Asian student market.
Perplexity
An AI-powered research engine that can help users explore program information, compare institutions, summarize sources, and research destination context. Outputs should be checked against official sources.
Thrive: Tools for Belonging, Engagement, Student Support, and Wellbeing
International education does not end when a student is accepted.
Students need to feel prepared, connected, supported, and able to navigate unfamiliar academic, cultural, and social environments.
Digital engagement and AI-supported student success tools can help institutions improve belonging and support across the student journey.
Modo
A mobile campus app platform for student life and engagement. It can help institutions centralize student information, services, and mobile communication.
Ready Education
A student engagement app and community platform for higher education. It can support student communication, belonging, and campus connection.
CampusGroups
A student organization and community management platform. Useful for managing student groups, events, engagement, and campus communities.
Presence
A co-curricular engagement platform for tracking student involvement. It can help institutions understand participation and engagement beyond the classroom.
Discord
A real-time communication and community platform widely used by students. While not built specifically for higher education, it can support cohort communication and informal peer communities.
Mighty Networks
A branded community platform for cohorts, courses, and groups. It can be useful for building student communities around programs, themes, or global learning experiences.
Ivy.ai
An AI chatbot trained on university content for 24/7 student support. It can help answer student questions and reduce pressure on staff.
AdmitHub / Mainstay
AdmitHub is now part of Mainstay. It focuses on conversational AI for student success, reminders, and engagement.
Hanover Research
A research and analytics partner for higher education strategy. It can support data-informed planning, benchmarking, and student success initiatives.
TalkCampus
A peer mental health support app for university students. International students and study abroad participants may benefit from accessible peer support, especially when navigating adjustment and belonging.
Togetherall
An anonymous peer-to-peer mental wellbeing community. It can provide additional support for students experiencing stress, transition, or isolation.
Learn: Tools for Academic Support, Language Learning, Tutoring, and Reflection
Learning is the heart of international education.
AI and digital learning tools can help students prepare academically, practice languages, receive tutoring, organize research, and reflect on their experiences.
Microsoft Copilot
An AI assistant for writing, research, summarization, and productivity tasks. It may be especially useful for institutions already using Microsoft systems.
Khanmigo
Khan Academy’s AI tutor designed to support personalized learning and Socratic dialogue. It can help students prepare academically and practice concepts.
Photomath
A math problem-solving app that uses a phone camera to provide step-by-step explanations. Useful for students needing academic support in quantitative subjects.
Quizlet
A study platform for flashcards, study sets, and AI-supported learning tools. Students can use it to review vocabulary, concepts, and course material.
Socratic by Google
An AI homework help app that provides explanations and learning resources. Useful for students seeking quick academic support.
Brainly
A crowd-sourced and AI-supported homework help platform across multiple subjects. Students should use it responsibly and in line with academic integrity policies.
Course Hero
A platform offering study guides, notes, and tutoring support. Institutions should consider academic integrity implications when discussing tools like this with students.
Google Gemini
Google’s conversational AI assistant for research, writing, analysis, and productivity. It can support brainstorming, summarization, and learning activities.
Duolingo Max
An AI-powered version of Duolingo that supports language learning and conversational practice. Useful for students preparing for travel or study in another language environment.
Babbel
A structured language learning platform focused on practical conversation skills.
ELSA Speak
An AI English pronunciation coach that provides real-time feedback. Useful for students working on spoken English confidence and clarity.
Speak
An AI conversation partner designed to help users practice spoken language fluency.
Busuu
A language learning platform with native speaker community feedback. Useful for students preparing for intercultural and multilingual environments.
Lingvist
An adaptive vocabulary learning platform powered by AI. It can support targeted language development.
Claude
An AI assistant useful for writing, analysis, tutoring, summarization, and nuanced reasoning. It can help faculty and staff draft materials, analyze feedback, and support academic preparation.
How to Use the AI Toolkit?
If AI in international education is something you’re not familiar with, or you want to understand deeper how to use AI as an international educator, check out our guide to using AI learning resources.