Experience in Kaunas, Lithuania by Giedre

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

Well, Kaunas is a small, green city, full of students. There are a lot of universities here, so for young people it is vibrant city with interesting places and events.

What is the student lifestyle like in Kaunas?

It depends a lot from the university you are studying in - inn VMU there are a lot of events and stuff really care about foreign students.

How much does it cost to live in Kaunas?

Flat 1BD for rent in the city centre about 300 Euro, a little farer about 200 Euro. Food costs about 150 Euro per person if you cook at home, if you go to restaurants - of course it will cost more. Usually main dish starts at aprox 8 Euro. There are a lot of discounts for students, for ex. transport tickets cost 80 percent less!

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

It is not difficult to find, but a lot of people, especially older, do not speak English, so it makes some difficulties in communication. Almost everyone older than 30 know Russian. It would be better for you, if you ask some local friends to help you with the rent. Also VMU has dorm Baltija, which is situated in a city centre and is quite modern, if you can get place in it.

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

There are a lot of places to eat in city centre, for every taste. Lithuanian cuisine is quite @heavy@, but a lot of places serve Italian food - pizza is quite popular here (usually Italians say that this is not pizza :))

What advice would you give future students heading to Kaunas?

Take umbrella and warm clothes :)