The Welcome Week for international students starting Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) this spring has passed by in a blink of an eye. It was filled with exciting introductory activities, some paperwork, new sights, new beginnings, and the joy which, hopefully, will be long lasting.
The week started by letting newcomers register and formalise their arrival, introduce themselves to each other, to Erasmus Student Network (ESN) KTU, and to the Department for Internationalisation. Shy faces, eyes asking: “Is it always this cold?”, and an evident uneasiness of being in an unknown environment gradually faded away. As they got a chance to say “Hi”, to play some introductory games, and to be officially welcomed to the university, the strangers became friends.
The second day was marked by numerous presentations given by representatives of KTU, Department for Internationalisation, Scanbalt travel agency, Student Union, student organisation BEST and a couple of international KTU students who have already spent some time in Lithuania. New students learned some things about the country and its culture, and about what to expect. They also got acquainted with travelling possibilities as well as with various ways to spend their free time in Kaunas. The day was wrapped up with the surprise from Nemunas art club, where students learned some traditional games and dances and were fuelled with good mood to last the whole semester.
During the next days the new students were introduced to the KTU’s academic system, Moodle learning environment, and all the practicalities, important for student life to run smoothly. The seriousness was balanced by the fun movie night, organised by ESN KTU, campus tour full of fun tasks and, finally, by the Welcome Party: Angels and Demons on Friday night.
The week ended by a bus trip to Vilnius and the old Lithuanian capital city Trakai. Students from many countries of the world were happy to see what Lithuania looks like beyond Kaunas and, surely, it will not be their last trip outside the city.
“I came to Lithuania because my grandfather is Lithuanian and I wanted to experience this country, which in some ways is a part of me and my family tree. One of my goals while I’m here is to learn the basics of Lithuanian language”, said Liene Bakāne from Latvia, who joined KTU community this spring.
Each and every student has their own intentions for coming to Lithuania: finding new friends, visiting a new country, or, like Jan Balek from Czech Republic, finding an internship and get involved in teaching at a local school.
Welcome Week is just a start for the exciting study journey. Many more events of ESN KTU are on the way, as well as many events of the University. Hopefully, all 200 students who joined KTU this spring, will find this journey fulfilling and an enriching, both academically and personally.
