Navigating the College Transition: How Nicholai Williamson's Experience Led to BonaFyde
In August of 2019, Nicholai Williamson and his family migrated to West Orange, New Jersey, where he completed his junior and senior years of high school. The college application process was an overwhelming time. Nicholai frequently questioned why he could only find information about admissions—which was certainly important—but nothing about what life outside the classroom would be like. The focus was entirely on SAT scores and tuition qualifications, with no insight into the daily experiences of students on campus.
He searched social media for information. Unable to visit campuses in person, Nicholai made a leap of faith and chose to attend the University of Delaware without having any knowledge of the campus environment. Nicholai experienced significant culture shock during his first year, which led him to wonder what could have made his transition smoother. Realizing that many other students might face similar challenges, he conducted extensive research and eventually founded BonaFyde.
BonaFyde provides prospective international students with impartial insights into student life and campus culture beyond the classroom at their selected universities. Additionally, the platform aids universities in increasing their international student population by providing authentic student perspectives. Being able to get feedback from people with firsthand experience in the environment also helps students create personal connections, which is something that universities often do not consider for their international students. Nicholai applied for Hen Hatch because it seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurial strategies and the program provided the resources to test and validate his business theories.
Refining His Vision: Nicholai Williamson's Journey with Hen Hatch and Campus Involvement
Furthermore, Hen Hatch provided him with an opportunity to refine his messaging for his business. As he shared his idea on stage Nicholai felt excited seeing the audience fully engaged as he explained a problem that hundreds of thousands of students face each year. Williamson says he would describe Hen Hatch as encouraging, educational, and exhilarating.
Outside of Hen Hatch Nicholai is very active on campus with various activities. He has served as the 2x Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Xi Omicron Chapter, and has also worked as a Teacher’s assistant.
BonaFyde's Impact and Upcoming Launch: Connecting International Students with Campus Insights
BonaFyde has already significantly impacted campuses by connecting prospective international students with current students. Over 100 prospective international students have expressed that a website allowing them to talk to real college students would be their situation when deciding on a university. Nicholai first helped past classmates who were trying to come to the U.S. for school, and facilitating these connections was incredibly rewarding. Feedback from both international students and universities has been overwhelmingly positive.
Nicholai is excited to share that BonaFyde's website is scheduled to launch in September. The official site, which can be accessed at https://www.bonafydeofficial.com/ will serve as a central hub for information and updates about the platform. This launch marks a significant milestone for BonaFyde, bringing its vision to life and offering users a comprehensive look at its services and offerings.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.