HEROES Alliance

How can innovation methods be applied in real-world professional practice—and what you can really take away from a short, intensive programme?In this episode, Mads Andreasen (University College of Northern Denmark) is joined by Lisa Claessen (Thomas More, Belgium) and Sam Crielard (Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands) to reflect on their participation in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) as part of the HEROES Alliance.The programme brings together students from across Europe to work with real-world problems. Throughout the conversation, the participants reflect on how innovation and facilitation can be applied in fields such as social work and teaching, and what you can gain from a short, intensive learning experience.The episode offers insights into interdisciplinary collaboration, international learning environments, and how students can be trained to facilitate innovation processes in addressing complex societal challenges.Recorded during a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Aalborg, Denmark, hosted by University College of Northern Denmark, as part of the HEROES Alliance.ParticipantsMads Andreasen – Host, Student of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University College of Northern DenmarkLisa Claessen – Social Work Student, Thomas More (Belgium)Sam Crielard – Social Studies Teacher Student, Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)

In this episode of our Heroes Podcast, our guest host Theresa Köck takes listeners deep into the Bavarian Forest, recording on location in Finsterau alongside Professor Florian Wahl (DIT, Germany) and two international students, Lucien (Fontys, the Netherlands) and Karolina (Thomas More University, Belgium).The conversation centers on the Blended Intensive Programme “Leveraging Crowdsourced Data for Sustainable Tourism in the Bavarian Forest National Park.” Together, they explore how innovative, data-driven approaches can support more sustainable tourism while reflecting on the academic and personal value of the experience.Lucien and Karolina share their insights into working in an international team, earning academic credits through the programme, and what it’s like to spend one week abroad – with culturethemed evenings and making new friends. From practical learning to unforgettable moments in the forest, this episode highlights how collaboration, travel, and education come together in the HEROES project.