Partnership Brought to Life - Theodor-Heuss School Students Complete Internships in Vietnam Through Erasmus+

Offenbach – Eleven students from Theodor-Heuss School completed company internships in Vietnam as part of the Erasmus+ programme. The internships were organised by the school's partner institution, Viendong College.

Throughout their stay, the students were accompanied by German-language learners from Viendong College, who served as interpreters and provided continuous support as local contacts. The programme combined international professional experience with intercultural exchange while creating new opportunities for future cooperation in sustainability, water management, and Theodor-Heuss School's Aquaponics project. The partnership between the German and Vietnamese institutions has been brought to life through practical collaboration.

As part of the Erasmus+ Individual Mobilities programme, the students gained valuable work experience in a variety of professional settings, including logistics companies, language schools, and traditional Vietnamese medicine.

School principal Michaela Makosz commented:

"This journey is a remarkable example of how international partnerships are actively brought to life at our school. Our students not only gained valuable professional experience in Vietnam but also experienced firsthand how openness, cooperation, and mutual learning contribute to high-quality vocational education."

By combining their academic knowledge with practical experience abroad, the participants broadened their perspectives and gained new inspiration for both their future studies and career paths.

Successful exchange: The visit to Vietnam generated concrete ideas for future cooperation between the German and Vietnamese partners.

Students Gain New Perspectives

Another major focus of the programme was sustainable project work. In particular, Theodor-Heuss School's Aquaponics model was presented in Vietnam and generated considerable interest and discussion.

The Aquaponics system combines fish farming and plant cultivation within a closed-loop ecosystem. Nutrients from fish waste are naturally used to nourish the plants, while the plants simultaneously purify the water. This practical model enables students to better understand topics such as climate change, food security, resource conservation, and the circular economy.

The model also played an important role during visits to Vietnamese universities. At the Vietnamese-German University (VGU), both sides discussed opportunities for future cooperation, including collaboration with the university library and initiatives in water management. The Aquaponics project is also expected to be further developed and connected with international partners.

Dr. Knut Beuck, one of the accompanying teachers from Theodor-Heuss School, said:

"What impressed us most was the strong interest shown by our Vietnamese partners in the Aquaponics model. Our discussions led to several concrete ideas for future cooperation, particularly in the fields of water management, sustainability, and the circular economy."

Students shared selfies online to keep friends and family connected in real time—proving that meaningful exchanges can happen even across a distance of more than 9,000 kilometres.

The participants combined their academic knowledge in business, healthcare, and service industries with valuable hands-on experience gained during their internships in Vietnam.

Another highlight of the programme was the visit to UEH Mekong in the Mekong Delta. There, the participants exchanged ideas with students and lecturers on sustainable development. Discussions focused on the circular economy, green value creation, sustainable supply chains, asset management, and the important role young people can play in building a more sustainable future.

The programme therefore went far beyond internships, laying a solid foundation for long-term cooperation between the German and Vietnamese partners.

The collaboration will continue as early as September, when two Vietnamese lecturers will travel to Germany and spend six months at Theodor-Heuss School. During their stay, they will support joint projects, deepen professional exchanges, and further strengthen the partnership between the school and its Vietnamese partners.