Experience in Kaunas, Lithuania by Auguste

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What is it like to live in Kaunas? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Kaunas is very exciting. I've been living here almost for years now. Most of the time I spend in the city centre, there are many great cafes, bars and clubs out there. Also the city can be proud of many beautiful buildings and the amazing landscape. There are actually a lot of nature in Kaunas. You can spend your evening sitting by the river, or in the park. Santaka is my favourite spot, you must visit it!

What is the student lifestyle like in Kaunas?

I bet you have heard that Lithuanian drink a lot, actually I can disagree with this saying, but the fact is that we know how to party for sure. The nightlife begins on Thursday, and continues till Saturday. There are many students in the city centre, in clubs or bars. By the way, there are quite many clubs in Kaunas, so you can pick the most suitable for your music taste. Students in Lithuania don’t party all the time. They have to study a lot actually, studies take most of their time.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Kaunas? Is there any advice you can give?

I think it's more difficult to find accommodation in September, because there are many students from all over the country who are looking for a place to live. But there are many websites where you can find many advertisements. The problem is that everything is written in Lithuanian, so there would be great for you to have a person who can translate it for you. Also there are many universities which can offer you a dorm. Usually only Erasmus studentes live there.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Lithuanians like to eat so most of our traditional dishes aren’t very healthy. There are many potatoes dishes such ascepelinai ( mashed potatoes with meat inside)bulviniai blynai (potatoes pancakes), and the most popular dish, šaltibarščiai, or in other words - cold soup. You can find it in every café.

What places would you recommend visiting in Kaunas?

Oldtown, Laisves Aleja (Liberty Boulevard), Santaka (where two rivers, Nemunas and Neris come together). There are many nice buildings like St. Gertrude's church, Perkuno house, there is also a place where you can see almost every corner of the city, Panorama. You should go there in winter, before Christmas, the view during that season is spectacular.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Kaunas?

Come and love Lithuania! For me, personally, it's the most beautiful country because of its nature. We don’t have any high mountains, oceans or something like that, but there are many forests, rivers, meadows, lakes, etc. We spent much time by the lakes, specially in summer. Then you just take a lot of food, a tent, great friends and just spend amazing time. Have you ever woken up by the birds singing and the smell of the forest? Have you ever spend all night swimming is the lake, or sitting by the fire? It's amazing, and all you have to have is a tent and great company, because there are many, many, many places, where you can go for camping. Maybe it sounds silly, but I have visited many countries and there is no place that makes me feel so good and relaxed, just the blue sky and the enormous fields. So if you came to Kaunas, don't forget to get out of the city and see the nature, then you'll understand what I’m talking about.

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