At ALG, we not only foster professional growth through international projects but also provide unique opportunities for personal and cultural expansion for our employees. Our Erasmus Programme is a prime example of how global mobility can enrich both careers and personal lives.
This programme allows employees to request an exchange to any of our offices worldwide. More than just a change of location, this experience represents an invaluable opportunity to weave an international network of contacts, increase satisfaction and a sense of belonging, and foster knowledge and cultural exchange. Additionally, it establishes strong personal bonds between our offices, strengthening our global community.
To understand the impact of such opportunities, we spoke with Erica Marques Oliveira, one of our consultants, who recently experienced the “Erasmus Programme”. Erica spent three months at our Madrid office, where she not only improved her professional skills but also gained unique insights into diverse cultures.
Erica's testimonial: a journey of professional and personal growth
Erica works at the São Paulo office and previously had a study experience in Madrid, where she completed a Master's in Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (2019-2021). Since then, she has developed a great appreciation for the city and Spanish culture, and she had the desire to live in Madrid again, this time in a professional context. For this reason, she requested the office exchange through our Erasmus Programme.
Erica's time in Spain turned out to be more than just a professional development endeavor; it was a profound cultural immersion that broadened her worldview. "I can confidently say it was the best experience of my life, even better than when I was studying in Madrid. In three months, I was able to connect with the people and the culture in a way I did not expect, and I had the opportunity to work on projects in other countries, something that does not happen often in the São Paulo office, as we are in a very closed market", Erica explained.
For Erica, switching offices and countries was an invitation to step out of her comfort zone and integrate into a new team and a new dynamic of interaction and assigned projects. “I am an ambitious person who loves stepping out of my comfort zone. Switching languages, cultures, and coworkers at ALG, a company with a dynamic environment in terms of schedule and types of projects, as well as diverse teams and working methods, is an opportunity I have always wanted to experience,” she added.
Her story also emphasizes the sense of belonging and community that ALG fosters, encouraging a vibrant exchange of ideas and strengthening the professional ties that bind our global network. “Working on projects in different geographies has been a personal challenge, since I joined ALG in 2021, I had the desire to take advantage of that possibility in a global company. However, something that surprised me and I had not anticipated is understanding that, in terms of corporate culture and the quality of the professionals, the country does not matter. ALG has the ability to retain extremely competent people, but also, and I think even more importantly, good people who create an extremely welcoming and friendly environment. I have met incredible people who were not only willing to teach me about their culture but also wanted to learn about mine; they wanted to know me and enjoy the experience of interacting with people from different geographies”.
Erica strongly recommends changing environments, not only because it challenges the individual but also because it helps them grow personally and professionally: “It may sound a bit cliché, but it really is where you learn and grow the most. This can be achieved in different ways and at different levels. Although I was already fluent in the language, I had to integrate into the office routine, adapt quickly to the dynamic environment, and relate to my colleagues, both from the office and the project I was assigned to”.
Her words are filled with gratitude towards the Madrid office, highlighting the welcoming environment and the integration that the professionals provided her with at all times. “I felt like one more colleague, and this not only helped me on a personal level but also allowed me to succeed in the projects assigned, as I felt comfortable interacting with everyone, from analysts to managers, and contributing my value to the project”, she added.
Now that she's back at the São Paulo office, Erica fondly recalls with immense joy everything she has learned, not only in technical terms but also culturally. Her experience was one of complete openness to getting to know other people, being part of their habits, customs, preferences, and ways of interacting. “Having the opportunity, in the same environment, to meet people from different regions of Spain who wanted to share with me their customs, history, and local festivities was something unexpected and very meaningful to me. This proximity allowed me not only to establish relationships on a professional level but also to make friends who I will surely carry with me for a lifetime”, she concluded.
Building bridges beyond borders
Erica's experience is a testament to how the Erasmus Programme not only helps develop professional skills but also cultivates a global perspective within our consultancy. By moving across borders and immersing themselves in different cultural contexts, consultants like Erica can experience personal growth that resonates with both her and us. Her experience is a testament that highlights the profound impact of our commitment to nurturing a global, interconnected workforce.
