Every year, more and more students from foreign countries come to study to Lithuania. After some time, they admit to be amazed not only by the quality of studies, but also by beautiful country and charming nature. Tamara Machitadze from Georgia, marketing management master’s student from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) admits that Lithuanian sky is the most remarkable feature of our nature.
In the interview below, the student talks about her decision to come to Lithuania and about her experiences of living and studying in Kaunas.
You have completed your undergraduate degree in Georgia. What made you come for master’s to Lithuania?
When I was a bachelor student, I participated in a competition to come to study at KTU as exchange student at my university (Georgian Technical University). When I came to the university for a visit, I admired the atmosphere and study quality here, so I decided to pursue my master’s at KTU.
I am very lucky to be able to study with a special master’s scholarship, it is great gift for us and the best motivation for students, who are thinking about the study opportunities in Lithuania.
By choosing marketing managenent, I wanted to use the opportunity to expand my knowledge on marketing. This is my last semester – I am graduating in the end of June.
What were your first impressions in Lithuania?
When I came here first, I felt at once that Lithuania and Georgia are very different – different climate, architecture, people’s faces… However, I like this difference. For me, the most fascinating is the sky here – in evening and morning often the colour mixture is amazing. In Georgia I do not look at the sky but when I am walking in Kaunas I am staring at it.
Now, when I have been living here for almost two years, everything is already familiar: I know well the place where I live, I have a group of people with whom I spend time, and even weather doesn’t surprise me anymore. Although it is still cold for me, but I am used to it.
How do you like Kaunas?
Kaunas has really beautiful parks. When I came here I really felt it was autumn, which is the best season for me – the colourful leaves lie like carpet on the ground. Kaunas seems very calm town for me, it would be amazing to have more active lifestyle here.
Did you find friends, maybe through the studies?
I do not have a study group as such, in every subject there are different students from Hungary, Africa, India, France, Germany, Korea… For me, it is easier to communicate with other international students because we spend more time together, have the sameexperience of living here as foreigners. Local students are friendly and helpful, they always try to do their best to assist you, but to become friends with Lithuanians is very difficult, as they are closed as people.
In my free time I like walking with friends, visiting museums, travelling. While living and studying here, I took part in an exhibition, visited Vilnius, Klaipėda, Marijampolė. Vilnius I love most of all; I admire the old town.
What do you think about study quality at KTU?
Study quality here is better than in my home country, at least I think so. At KTU you can gain practical knowledge, for example, to take part in different simulation games, to make research about companies. Lecturers here are very friendly and group projects with other students from different countries are very interesting.
Was studying at KTU hard?
It depends on the period: in the beginning of the semester there are not many lectures, but at the end of it you have to submit all the paper work, to prepare for and to pass the exams, so you become very busy.
Did you learn Lithuanian?
To learn Lithuanian language is not easy but I know some phrases which is useful for me. When I want to buy products, I try to speak Lithuanian.
What are your future plans?
I am going to use internship program and work in Spain. After that, I am thinking about PhD, but so far it is only a distant plan.
What are the main differences between Lithuanians and Georgians?
Here, when a person becomes 18, she moves from the house and tries to live on her own, but in my country young people tend live with their parents. If we talk about personality, maybe Georgians are more emotional, warmer and more open, Lithuanians are more punctual, straightforward people and hard workers.
How did you like Lithuanian cuisine? Were you able to cook your own national meals here? Did you miss anything from home?
I like Lithuanian cuisine, especially kibinai. I was able to find all the ingredients needed for my cooking, but they did not taste the same, and the dishes were not so delicious. I miss Georgian dish called “Lobiani”.
Why would you recommend other students to come here?
For students it is really good chance to come here to study with a scholarship. You can get good education, have a chance to meet new people, become more mature by learning how to endure difficulties. It is a school of life – being alone and at the same time with many people. Such experience adds different colours to the picture of one’s life.
STUDY MASTER’S AT KTU
The Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science is offering 70 partly and fully-funded postgraduate scholarships for international students.
Citizens from Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Japan, China, Korea and Israel, as well as foreigners of Lithuanian origin, are eligible to apply for Lithuanian state funded scholarships for full-time Master degree studies.
KTU Department for Internationalisation reminds you not to miss a chance to gain international education – apply for State scholarship for your Master’s. The deadline for the first selection round is 10 May, 2017.
For more information about the application process please visit:
https://admissions.ktu.edu/scholarships/
