Social Vibes recently partnered with KEA (Copenhagen School of Design and Technology) to strengthen student retention through Social Vibes adventures, helping students build social connections and to improve retention rates in higher education.

On August 30th, we launched “KEA Connections,” an adventure-based team-building experience designed to not only build social bonds but also introduce relevant educational concepts within Business Economics and IT.

Check out the story in video format here (Danish)

According to a 2017 report by the Danish Evaluation Institute (EVA), approximately “30% of students in higher education drop out within the first year“. This high dropout rate has significant costs for the students, the institutions, and society as a whole.

Research indicates that social and academic integration early in the student’s experience plays a critical role in reducing dropout rates. A longer, meaningful start to studies—where students can build strong social connections—has been shown to have a substantial impact on retention.

Social Vibes addresses this need by offering social and academic adventure-based activities that integrate both team-building and educational content. The “KEA Connections” event demonstrated how these activities can positively influence students’ early experiences at university.

With “KEA Connections” we created an experience that combines team-building with relevant educational learning.

The event consisted of a series of challenges designed to strengthen students’ relationships while enhancing their understanding of IT and business development—key focus areas for KEA’s Business Economics & IT program. Through tasks such as identifying everyday IT, recognizing sustainable companies, and developing business growth ideas, students were able to test their academic skills while building strong social connections.

Feedback from both teachers and students was overwhelmingly positive. KEA especially highlighted the strong combination of social interaction and educational learning as a factor that not only created a fun experience but also provided students with valuable tools to engage with their studies in a new way.

According to a 2018 report by EVA, it’s essential not only to target students at risk of dropping out but also to promote both academic and social integration for all students. Social Vibes is committed to continuing this collaboration with KEA and other educational institutions by offering a broader range of adventures that enhance both students’ social lives and their academic competencies.

We are planning to develop more adventures focused on team-building, project management, study motivation, and agile methodologies to help with offering student retention through Social Vibes adventures. These adventures will give students the opportunity to form study groups, improve their collaboration skills, and learn how to better structure their work—all with a focus on both academic and personal growth.

As EVA’s research highlights, students’ early experiences at university are crucial to their success. Social Vibes aims to provide activities that support both social and academic integration long after the initial start of studies. This not only strengthens the connection between students but also helps them thrive and stay engaged throughout their academic journey.

Through this successful collaboration with KEA, Social Vibes has demonstrated how our platform can play a key role in improving the academic environment and student retention in higher education across Denmark. Our goal is to become a long-term partner for educational institutions by delivering both social and academic-focused adventures that ensure students remain engaged, proactive, and motivated throughout their studies.

By creating innovative and engaging activities, we help reduce dropout rates and strengthen the social and academic foundation students need for success. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with KEA and expanding our efforts to more educational institutions across the country.

For more information on how Social Vibes can help your educational institution, contact us today.