Can We Support Exchange Students Virtually? – Tests in RIGO Final Event Suggest Yes

READY, IMMERSE AND GO! (RIGO) project (September 2023—January 2026) addresses these concerns by developing a virtual platform that aims to help and support students to overcome difficulties linked to exchanges abroad.  By enhancing preparedness, RIGO aims to encourage more students to seize exchange opportunities, hoping to see many more students participating in exchange programs in the future. 

Insights from 110 exchange students- Driving change in Mobility 

The virtual platform contains scenarios of different challenges that exchange students face abroad. The scenarios are designed based on 22 co-creation workshop results. Over 110 exchange students participated in the workshops and shared their experiences with exchange programs and student life abroad. 

All the challenges were closely linked to the following key themes that emerged from the workshop data: free time and socialization, culture shock, loneliness and mental health, job search, housing challenges, managing administrative procedures, transportation and guidance; safety and security; academic problems, and language difficulties.  

Turning Fears into Confidence: Making the Exchange Decision Easier  

In the RIGO Final Event 14.11.2025, over 60 people tested the virtual platform and different scenarios that have been built. Many testers confirmed that the contents validated their concerns about exchange programs, and they got a feeling that they are not alone with their thoughts – which was the main goal of the project! 

From a technical point of view, the platform is still in its early stages, with development ongoing.  

Test it here! 

RIGO – READY, IMMERSE, GO! Immersive VR Experience for International Mobility is a project to foster the Ulysseus Mobility Experience priority and serves as a satellite project for Ulysseus. 

RIGO has received funding from European Union’s Erasmus+ program under the grant agreement No E10224899.