Institute for Study Abroad
The Institute for Study Abroad needed a public-facing, student-driven program discovery tool — 50 searchable program filters, AI-assisted matching, comparison tools, and integration with their existing Salesforce CHART registration system. Cloud Nerd built it from scratch.
Engagement at a glance
Salesforce Communities
AngularSalesforce APEXProgram filter elements — 19 public, 31 advanced (authenticated)
Architecture through production go-live
Program comparison for authenticated students
Live cross-connect to CHART registration system
IFSA's existing program discovery system, CHART, required students to search by location or major — a narrow, transactional experience that didn't reflect how students actually chose study abroad programs. IFSA needed a completely new discovery tool that matched students to programs based on culture, climate, research interests, volunteer opportunities, and dozens of other life factors — all while remaining connected to CHART for registration.
Cloud Nerd architected and built Global Wayfinder: a gamified Angular application living inside Salesforce Communities, with 50 searchable program filter elements, an authenticated student toolbox with saved programs and a personal journey builder, program comparison for up to four programs simultaneously, a home institution approval workflow with petition guidance, and full reporting back into Salesforce. Public users could search without authenticating; full features required registration.
IFSA went live with a fully functioning student program discovery experience — a first of its kind for the study abroad sector — that turned a transactional search into an engaging, personalized matching process, with every student interaction captured in Salesforce for marketing, advising, and reporting.
The matching engine needed to evaluate 50 distinct program elements — cultural factors, climate, research opportunities, volunteer options, and more — against student preferences. Logic rules governed which filters displayed before and after authentication, how top matches were ranked, and how program comparisons were generated.
Unauthenticated users could search with up to five of the nineteen initial filters. Full access to all fifty filters and the student toolbox required account creation. The application needed to handle both states seamlessly while driving conversions to registration.
Wayfinder data had to flow back into IFSA's existing Salesforce CHART system — student records, program matches, and application status all needed to be connected. Single sign-on had to work across both systems.
Cloud Nerd reviewed IFSA's existing Salesforce org and CHART system, defined all object and field requirements, documented data movement models, and produced a full technical design specification.
Cloud Nerd built the internal Salesforce data layer — all custom objects, automation, and data movement — then began exposing the data externally through Salesforce Communities using Angular.
Cloud Nerd built the authenticated student toolbox, program comparison feature, home institution approval workflow, and ran initial and final UAT with the IFSA team.
Final end-to-end system testing, as-built documentation, and production deployment for the July 2019 go-live date.
Program elements searchable and matchable for students
Saved programs, comparison, advising topics, and personal journey — all in Salesforce
Wayfinder data flowing directly into registration and advising workflows
July 2019 go-live delivered as committed
What's next
IFSA planned Phase Two extensions including packages (program bundles), student-to-student connections with current students abroad and alumni, and expanded social features inside the Wayfinder platform.
Technologies in this engagement
Salesforce Communities
AngularSalesforce APEXReady to do this?
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