Every year more than 300 students from different countries of the world come to study at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). In Kaunas, overseas students not only develop their scientific and creative competencies but also contribute to the city’s development. Choosing Kaunas, the new KTU exhibition reflects the inspiring moments of international students’ lives in Kaunas.
The exhibition, which can be seen on the fence of the former construction site of the Merkurijus shopping centre in the heart of the city, shows Kaunas in international students’ eyes.
Fascinating green spaces in Kaunas
A green, lively city attuned to the needs of young people – this is how KTU students who come to Lithuania from all around the world describe Kaunas. Martin Gomez, an Ecuadorian KTU student, first heard about Kaunas from a friend.
To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, or to have a picnic and play volleyball with friends, international students head to Dainava, Ąžuolyno, Draugystės Parks and Panemunė forest. Yasser Chibel, a KTU Electronics and Electrical Engineering student from Morocco, says that all the activities in nature encourage him to fall in love with Kaunas anew every day.
“It was not difficult to decide to move to Kaunas – I knew that I would receive a comprehensive education here, learn from experienced teachers, and gain a lot of professional practice during my studies. It didn’t take me long to integrate into Kaunas life, as the people are very welcoming,” says Chibel.
Locals are friendly and love basketball
Cultural life in Kaunas is thriving, with many events taking place, and the atmosphere is enriched by the friendliness of the city’s citizens. Pavlo Vilkhovyi, a Ukrainian KTU student, says that during national holidays, the whole city of Kaunas is painted in the colours of the Lithuanian flag – yellow, green and red.
“I admire the locals’ love for basketball. However, in the three years in Kaunas, it was the kindness of the people that amazed me the most – I got help to find a home, quickly made new acquaintances and expanded my circle of friends,” says Vilkhovyi, who is studying Informatics at KTU.
Safiyya Baba-zada, a Business Digitalisation Management student from Azerbaijan also points out the friendliness of the locals as a distinctive feature: she remembers asking for directions and getting not only what she asked for but also personal recommendations on the sites of interest.
“I was impressed by the fact that students come to Kaunas from all over Lithuania – from small villages, towns and other big cities. Kaunas full of life, youthful ideas and cultural activities – I visit museums and festivals, and I can choose my favourite concert from a long list of them,” says Baba-zada.
The photography exhibition Choosing Kaunas is a unique opportunity to see what life is like for international students here and why Kaunas has so quickly become their second home.
