Experience in Kaunas, Lithuania by Viktorija

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

I am Lithuanian student from Kaunas. I suppose there are some students who are coming to Lithuania, Kaunas for Erasmus stay. I hope I could help to learn more about Kaunas in some way. I am about to share some personal thoughts about the city and webs that might be helpful.

I moved to Kaunas for studying in 2011. I wasn't excited to move there. At first this city looked a little bit somber, but I never regretted staying here. I love it because:

• Life is flowing slowly in Kaunas. It's not overcrowded.
• University (especially VMU ) buildings mostly located in the city center.
• Most Lithuanians are friendly people and can speak in English, so you can find help or even make friends easily.
• City is located near two rivers, Nemunas and Neris and it is surrounded by forests, so there are a lot of natural sceneries. There are lots of places you can escape from your daily routine, e. g. Lagoon of Kaunas, city parks (Ąžuolynas, Pažaislis, Panemunė... );
• Kaunas has historical importance to Lithuania, so there lots of museums and historical places to visit. There are always some cultural event going on.
• Kaunas is almost in the center of Lithuania, so if you want to travel all around the country it’s the best strategic point to start. Kaunas isn’t that far from capital, Vilnius (about an hour by train), so you can reach it easily. Vilnius is more multicultural (there high percentage Russians and Polish people living there) than Kaunas. If you prefer to see an entirely Lithuanian city, Kaunas is the best choice.

There are much more that I can say about Kaunas and I will point more specific details following. Please ask me personally if there be some questions that I haven’t mention here.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Kaunas?

Student lifestyle in Kaunas mostly depends on what are you studying. As I am law student I work hard not only during exam session, but during all semester. Although, if you are Erasmus student, I believe there isn’t high pressure on you. The studies aren’t that intense. There is always lots of free time: some use it for working a part time job (mostly because the living in Kaunas is expensive for them, but to have their own money, for their own needs), some spend their free time at student clubs, artistic team/collective, others most of the time spend with friends. It is possible to exploit your time fully and do whatever you want.

Talking about lecture schedules it’s hard to say what you should expect (it depends on university), but most universities are student friendly and helps to reconcile your job and studies or create a choice between two lecture times (morning or evening lecture).

How much does it cost to live in Kaunas?

• Accommodation: if you live in dormitory in city center ~300LT/ 93 EUR, but if you rent a flat the price might be higher
• Food: ~100 LT/28 EUR a week (112EUR a month)
• Books and etc: ~35LT/10EUR a month (depends on study subject)
• Free time expenses: ~50LT/15EUR a month (depends on you)
• Transport if you need: 16, 80 LT/ 4, 63 EUR month ticket price

Total: ~ 234, 63 EUR (I counted bare minimum), minimum wage in Lithuania is 1000LT/ 289, 62 EUR, so cost can range a bit differently, mostly can be higher than 234, 63 EUR, but not extremely.

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

Always choose dormitories (you can find info on university online page). They are not that bad, you can forget about utility bills and of course find many friends from foreign countries and Lithuania! If you seek for more comfortable living you can find places to rent on:

Domo.Plius

Aruodas.

Alio.

But you will totally need a roommate and it will definitely be more expensive.

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

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If you want to try Lithuanian food I strongly recommend you meals: Cepelinai, Kugelis, Šaltibarščiai(love the most, especially summer). You can find them in almost every restaurant. Although, not everyone likes them. Lithuanians like to eat food that is hard to digest.

What places would you recommend visiting in Kaunas?

Inyourpocket - sightseeing.

You will find useful information about sightseeing in Kaunas here. I strongly recommend to visit baroque monastery of Pažaislis and lagoon of Kaunas. I love visiting museums, so I visited almost all in Kaunas, but the great impression left M. K. Čiurlionio art museum (he really reveals true spirit of Lithuania). I also recommend to visit Open Air Museum of Lithuania in Rumšiškės. It's close to Kaunas and retell national traditional living.

http://www.ciurlionis.lt/en

http://www.llbm.lt/eng/

http://www.pazaislis.org/

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Is it good to eat out in Kaunas? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Food in Kaunas is tasty and not that expensive. You can find almost all of the world kitchens. There are many spots I like to eat out in Kaunas, but my best is Italian kitchen restaurant Pas Romano. My friends and I like to eat there because there you can have filling and tasty food and excellent service for a reasonable price.

http://www.pasromanopaolo.lt/

Of course, there are a lot of more cafes and restaurants and they are mostly located in Laisvės Alėja and mall Akropolis.

http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/kaunas/Restaurants-and-Cafes

Is the nightlife good in Kaunas? Where is good to go?

There are night clubs such as: Macao, Embassy, Mojo Lounge, G-Loft, etc. They are popular among students, but if go there be ready to spend “few” litas/euro. Students most loved are bars: Barbara, Gargaras, Republic, Buon Giorno trattoria. Night life is always on move in Kaunas, especially in spring/summer.

More: http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/kaunas/Nightlife

What advice would you give future students heading to Kaunas?

http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/kaunas

Explore this site, you can find there really useful information. If you have a chance, use it and travel to Kaunas and Lithuania. Kaunas and Lithuania have a long, sometimes tragic history, which can be spotted everywhere around the city and country. You just need to read the signs and follow its history. Use every minute of your time properly and don't forget to study!

P. S. About the weather: winter is very cold... I recommend to choose spring/summer semester. Those who misses winter you might really get one if you choose autumn/winter semester.

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