My Erasmus Experience in Kaunas, Lithuania - by Elena

Why did you choose to go to Kaunas, Lithuania?

The main reason was because I really wanted to go to Eastern Europe. I wanted a real clash of cultures, so I chose a country very different to Spain. The financial situation was also important for me: in Lithuania, you can live on 300 euros a month, which leaves you with more money to go travelling, one of my main incentives for going on the exchange.

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How long did your scholarship last? How much were you paid?

My exchange lasted for one semester. I extended my exchange after my grant installments finished, but I didn't receive any more grant money during the second semester. In total, I received around 1, 500 euros. I took a course in Lithuanian in August and they refunded me the course costs, so I ended up being given a little more than usual.

What's the student life like in Kaunas?

Unbeatable. Since it's such a small city, it's impossible not to meet other students - Lithuanians and Erasmus - not only from your own university, but also from the others, too. The cultural activities they organise in Kaunas city centre, such as the Jazz Festival, really help you to meet other students.

On the other hand, the Erasmus organisation ESN organises tons of stuff at Vytautas Magnas University throughout the year: trips, parties and fun evenings.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Kaunas to other students?

Definitely. The atmosphere couldn't be any better, and together with the relatively low cost of living there (from the point of view of someone from Spain, it really is cheap), this means that you can fully enjoy everything the city has to offer. At my university in particular, the Vytautas Magnus University, the best thing of all was the practical and international focus in the classes - I don't remember us ever following the traditional approach of the professor giving a speech and the students taking notes. We debated, and always looked for different perspectives and viewpoints on the topic we were dealing with. We also often worked in teams. For a career like mine (journalism), it was fantastic.

What's the food like in Kaunas?

You either love or hate Lithuanian cuisine. If you like potatoes, you're in luck, since almost all of their traditional dishes involve them. The mythical Zeppelini, which you'll have the privilege of trying, is a fantastic dish. Don't forget about the mysterious pink soup, either, which everyone should take a chance on...

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Did you find it hard to find somewhere to live in Kaunas?

Not at all. The international relations centre at the university took care of everything. The students at Vytautas Magnus all get given accommodation in the halls of residences in the city centre. The rooms were small, and shared between two or three people, with a bathroom and a fridge. The kitchens were a bit sparsely furnished, but thanks to the wonderful supermarket Maxima, this wasn't a problem. The best part? The accommodation cost fifty euros per month. Yep, you read that right - fifty euros. :)

How expensive is everyday life in Kaunas?

For a Spanish student, prices in Lithuania are a godsend. Not just living costs are cheap, either - traveling is cheap too! It would be a crime if you were to come back from Lithuania without having visited Latvia and Estonia, at least. It's really extremely cheap to travel. 300 euros a month cover all your basic outgoings, including your rent.

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language class at the university?

I studied Lithuanian so that I would understand the local culture better and be able to communicate better, but the truth is that almost everyone here can speak English - and really well. Even older people.

I also took English classes at the university, since they were free. They offered classes in other major languages too - you had to pay for the French and German classes, but others, including Chinese, were free like mine.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Kaunas from your city?

The best thing you can do is fly with Ryanair. Madrid to Brussels, and then Brussels to Kaunas was how I did it most of the time. There used to be a direct flight from Alicante to Kaunas, but they stopped running it a while back. In any case, the best option is to look at the low-cost airlines, since with them it's most likely you'll find good connecting flights to Kaunas or to Vilnius.

What are the best places for partying in Kaunas?

• Dzem Pub on Tuesdays. It's a bar on the top floor of a building in Laisves Aleja, Kaunas's main street. I say Tuesdays because that's karaoke night. It's fantastic, and a hotspot for Erasmus students.
• The 70s, 80s and 90s Saturday nights at Pop Star are also worth checking out, as is Deja Vu and all the other clubs in that area.
• The Erasmus mini-parties at Embassy, a club on the outskirts (dead cheap to get to by taxi).
• To finish off the night, there's nothing like having a last beer ('alus') at Antipops, the most underground bar in Kaunas.

Don't turn your nose up at the 'kitchen parties' in the student residences. When the temperature outside is -27ºC, they make a lot of sense!

Do you have any advice for future students coming to Kaunas?

Don't be put off by the cold weather, the different language or by the cultural differences. You're going to have an unforgettable time, and if you make the most of it, you'll get to travel a lot, too. :)

Vienas alus, prašome! (One beer, please! )

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on here. :)

For more information, check out my Erasmus blog:http://akaunas.blogspot.com.es