“If a country could be a kindred spirit, Lithuania would be mine. I can even say that it has healed something in me,” says Sofiia from Kyiv. She came to Kaunas to study Materials Physics and Nanotechnologies – just like Illia, a Ukrainian born in Uzbekistan. Both students chose the same study programme at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). Although their stories are different, the decision was the same – to go beyond what the environment they grew up in offered.
Illia’s childhood was shaped by constant movement, Sofiia’s – by a constant search for direction. Both stories took a new turn in Kaunas.
When every corner deserves a photo
Illia Filipas, born in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent and raised in a Ukrainian family that frequently moved, is no stranger to change. “My first day in Kaunas wasn’t dramatic, but what stood out immediately was how calm everything was. Coming from busier cities, I was surprised by how peaceful and relaxed people seemed, even in crowded areas,” he recalls.
“Life in Lithuania has been wonderful so far. Having family here helped me settle in quickly. I also made Lithuanian friends who were always ready to help,” he says. Learning Lithuanian gave him deeper insight into the culture, while local research opportunities and internships broadened his professional horizons.
Working at the tiniest scale of existence
Choosing what to study wasn’t an easy process for either Sofiia or Illia. Sofiia describes her decision-making as a chaotic journey, constantly torn between creative and technical subjects. She considered everything from psychology to engineering, trying to avoid choosing just one path. What drew her to nanotechnology was its interdisciplinary nature. “I needed to find a field that would combine contraries of logic and creativity,” she explains.
For her, curiosity was the main driver: “I love to explore and seek understanding of how our world works, and what has more exploration possibilities to offer than science?”
Working at the tiniest scale of existence, nanotechnology offered her a way to start answering the “why?” questions by first exploring the most fundamental parts of reality.
As students in the Materials Physics and Nanotechnologies programme, both Sofiia and Illia quickly found themselves immersed in a field that was as complex as it was inspiring.
For Sofiia, the most captivating aspect of nanotechnology is its potential to answer the most fundamental scientific questions while addressing real-world challenges. She is especially fascinated by the fields of nanomedicine and renewable energy. “Two things that I think can help change our world for the better,” she says.
Illia, meanwhile, found his interest deepening through hands-on experience in KTU’s laboratories. He highlights silica as one of the most fascinating materials he has worked with, praising its versatility and applications in both electronics and medicine.
Convinced it was fate
Illia joined SKILLed AI Talent Academy, where his interest in AI grew significantly. His internship at Centric IT Solutions LT, arranged through SKILLed AI, gave him hands-on experience with machine learning and helped shape his future goals. “The most important lesson was that stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring new knowledge always leads to new opportunities,” he reflects.
For Sofiia and Illia, choosing Lithuania was more than an academic decision – it became a turning point. In Kaunas, they found not only a place to study, but also space to grow, explore, and feel at home. “I’m just convinced it was fate at this point,” says Sofiia.
