From the sunny shores of Venezuela to the streets of Kaunas, Maria Rosa Rojas Noguera’s academic journey has been anything but ordinary. With a Bachelor’s in Physics and a dream to live in Europe, she pursued a Master’s in Medical Physics at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) – combining both goals in one decisive step.
Studying in Lithuania offered more than she expected. Alongside hands-on skills, Maria became part of an international community, meeting people from all over the world and building lasting connections.
“I knew almost nothing about Lithuania. I expected architecture like Portugal or Italy, so the Soviet-style buildings were a surprise,” Maria admits.
But learning their history made her appreciate them, and the well-organised university structure and library quickly became her second home. Even the student dormitories, initially underwhelming, eventually felt like home.
Academically, Maria’s biggest lesson was applying physics in a clinical setting. “It’s a big shift to think about real medical problems. I learned to adapt knowledge to practical needs and realised the importance of multidisciplinary teams and communication in medicine,” she explains.
Now graduating, Maria will start a traineeship at Biomapas, a Kaunas-based life sciences company, working in medical device quality assurance. “I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned and improve my Lithuanian,” she says.
Reflecting on her experience, Maria would join more student activities and research projects sooner and take full advantage of international opportunities like Erasmus. Her advice for first-year students: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, connect with international students, and talk to your lecturers – they are here to help.”
A PhD might be in her future, but for now, Maria is focused on her career in Lithuania. Would she recommend KTU? “Yes, definitely – but be honest about the challenges, like adapting to a new culture or living in dorms. In the end, the education, people, and personal growth make it absolutely worth it,” says Maria.