Vividus International started operating in 2014 in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme with the initial goal of sending a group of teachers from the Vividus Akademie (parent company) on a job-shadowing trip to exchange best practices and teaching methods with a group of teachers from Spain. After this enriching experience and after thorough research the Vividus International team realised how, in the broader context, there was a gap between opportunities for university students and vocational trainees and teachers.

Since then, Vividus International has offered placements to over 1,100 participants and managed over €3.5 million in public European funds, with an average satisfaction score of 96% by the participants. 

Vividus International has recently started a new chapter after successfully submitting its last Erasmus+ project in September 2024 and is now expanding at lightspeed thanks to a strong network of partnerships worldwide.

What inspired Vividus International to begin its journey within the Erasmus+ programme back in 2014?

Back in 2014, Vividus Akademie received a request from a regional government in Angola for 10 vocational training teachers to come to Angola for 3 months and train local students in different professions (builders, electricians, etc.) However, due to political complications and instability in the country, the project had to be put on hold, and the team decided to offer those same teachers the possibility of travelling to Spain to exchange ideas and teaching methods with local teachers with the financial help of the Erasmus+ programme.

With a high participant satisfaction, what do you think participants value most about your programmes?

Our strongest assets, according to participants’ feedback, are the quality of the placements, the tailor-made solutions, the flexibility in terms of destination and duration, as well as the support we offer them not just before but also during and after their stay abroad. Additionally, the strong and trusted network of partners abroad allows us to support them not only from “home” but also from their destination, making sure we’re prepared for emergencies or unplanned situations and can act quickly and effectively.

You’ve expanded across different continents – how do you adapt projects to such different cultural and educational contexts?

Before starting collaborations with new partners, we organise an online meeting to discuss possibilities, working processes, quality standards, and requirements. After that, we go into deeper talks about previous experiences, cultural aspects to be considered, and expectations from both sides.

A central part of the preparation process derived from the diversity of destinations is a presentation each participant has to hold during the preparation session about their host country. This is aimed at making sure they dedicate some time to doing research on practical and cultural aspects and are truly aware of the new culture and their responsibility towards it.

Where do you see Vividus International in the next decade?

Our long-term aim is to have an international team of experts dedicated to making educational experiences abroad as enriching as possible not only for our participants but also for the hosting institutions/companies and the community around them. We want younger generations to grow more respectful of other cultures and more tolerant and willing to adapt to different and unknown situations.

We believe in equal opportunities, so a dream of ours would be to establish a foundation that can support people with fewer opportunities eager to go abroad to upskill and gain international experience.