Studying at Vilnius University

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Huh, this has been a fun ride! So, coming to you live from Vilnius, Lithuania, let me tell you how my experience doing an exchange program has been going so far. I still have three and a half months to go, but so much has happened already, and I’ve seen, met, and learned so much. Coming to Vilnius has been one of the most magical experiences of my life, and I’m so thankful for it.

First, let me tell you how it came to be.

Application Process

The application period for exchange programs started around mid-April. My university is small, so we usually only get offers for Spain, the Czech Republic, and Germany (but not for my study area). So, when Lithuania suddenly showed up on the list, I don’t even think I thought it through. I just started filling out the documents, and that was it.

I have to say, I applied with no expectations because I didn’t want to be disappointed if I didn’t get it. I went in with the mindset of “it doesn’t hurt to try, but I’m happy either way” (which is a slight lie because, of course, I would’ve been much happier if I did get it, but, you know, I was cool about it).

Anyway, fast-forward to two weeks after the application deadline. I’m already checking my emails frantically. It was May, and I wasn’t getting any news. I slowly accepted that I didn’t get it, but I don’t like not getting feedback. I needed an official confirmation, so I emailed the international office at my uni.

Finally, some news! They told me that they had extended the deadline. Great! So, there might still be a chance, but let’s wait. Come mid-June, and I’m already losing my mind. I was okay with whatever outcome, but I need the confirmation. (I think any feedback is beneficial for students to help us improve and let us know what to focus on.) Anyway, I wrote to the office again, and they forwarded me the email they had sent to Vilnius. So, it wasn’t their fault. The silence was coming from Vilnius.

But then I noticed that my university sent my application to the wrong email address. Seriously?! If I lost my chance because of my lack of competence, that’s okay. That’s on me. But, such a silly mistake? It pissed me off because that was such a stupid reason to miss this chance.

I was fully ready to send the office a (polite but) very disapproving email, but then I decided to let it go because it was already too late for anything.

So, we’re now in mid-July. I’m sitting in a cafe with my sister, but something is still bothering me about this situation. I remember it was a Thursday morning, and, as we say back home, “vrag mi nije dao mira,” so I emailed Vilnius. I looked up the correct address and explained the situation.

Five minutes later(!), they replied, saying they never got my application. The lady corresponding with me also told me VU only accepts online applications anyway, and she sent the link to the registration page. I was so sad about the missed opportunity, knowing it was way past the deadline, but decided to check the link, just, you know, maybe for the next time.

I can’t even describe the shock I felt when I clicked on the link. The first thing I saw was a memo written in bold red capital letters: “4 more days to apply!”

Mind you, we are in mid-July at this point! So, I quickly gathered all the documents and registered. The next day, on that beautiful summer Friday morning, I got an email from Vilnius University welcoming me to the winter semester here in Lithuania.

So the message here is to trust your gut, kids! I could not stand not having an answer. I couldn’t let it go, and if I did, I wouldn’t be here, experiencing all this and growing in so many different ways.

Studying at VU

Coming to Vilnius was exciting. It was a new country, language, culture, everything! It was awesome but also daunting because of it all. Would I fit in? I don’t speak the language. How would I communicate? What if I don’t make any friends? I was afraid that I would let my anxiety guide me and anchor me, not letting me be open to new things. I was also worried about the academic part. Would I be able to keep up at uni, or would it be too much? I worried about money, too.

But I found this cute little hostel-like stay, where I have my room (and a private bathroom – very important!) with huge windows. I have several grocery stores close to my place, a bookstore and a pharmacy around the corner, and the most beautiful walk to my classes, straight through the old town.

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VU’s Old Campus is the most gorgeous ever. (It’s also a labyrinth. I carried a map with me for almost the whole first month here. There are still courtyards I don’t know about.)

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I had the chance to make some connections here that might help me even later in my career. VU also offers a lot of opportunities related to internships or preparations for the job market. There’s an event next week that I registered for regarding job opportunities for foreigners and opportunities to stay in the country, although I don’t have any plans.

I found the most amazing group of friends and colleagues that make going to class exciting and the rest of this experience a hundred times better.

My professors are lovely, and I love my classes. They’re demanding, too. They require a lot of work, but I love it! I also applied for a Lithuanian A1 language course, so now, every Monday and Wednesday, I get a tiny bit closer to properly understanding this country.

I learned a lot about the history of Vilnius and Lithuania (if you ever visit, do the free tour. Trust me, you’re going to love it!), which I will share more about in my other posts.

Vilnius University was founded in 1579, has many courtyards, a library I have yet to visit (shame, I know, but I’m waiting for my LSIC to do that), and more gems that I have yet to discover.

Life in Vilnius

We’re preparing for winter now. This might be the year I get my first white Christmas! At the moment, I am enjoying pumpkin spice lattes at Caffeine or cinnamon bun lattes at Crustum, and taking many pictures of the bright yellow and red leaves in the parks.

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They have the best coffee anywhere in the city. The food is delicious! Vilnius is movie-set beautiful, with two rivers running through it, many parks, a cat cafe, Humana (which deserves a shoutout!), and much to do.

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I can’t wait to share more, and I’m so thankful that my schedule is so full that I don’t have the time to sit down and write about it.

Okay, thanks, bye!