The semester began with an Orientation Week, designed to make the transition to studying and living in Lithuania as smooth as possible. During the welcome meeting, Erasmus+ students were introduced to EHU, its academic environment and the practical aspects of their exchange semester.
Students had an opportunity to explore the University and its library, meet representatives of their study programmes and receive information about their courses, Moodle and other tools they would use throughout the semester. The programme also included practical guidance intended to help students navigate their new academic environment and everyday life in Vilnius.
An important part of the first days was getting to know not only the University, but also one another. Erasmus+ students met their fellow exchange students and EHU buddies, creating connections that would continue well beyond the orientation activities.
Discovering Vilnius and Lithuanian Culture
Studying abroad is also about discovering the host country, and cultural activities formed an important part of the programme.
The students explored Vilnius together, learning more about the city that would become their home for the coming months. Walking through its historic streets provided an opportunity to discover the city’s history, architecture and atmosphere while spending time together outside the university environment.
The cultural experience continued with an introduction to Lithuanian cuisine. Students had the opportunity to try traditional dishes and learn more about local food traditions. Sharing a meal together also offered another informal setting for conversations, new friendships and cultural exchange.
The programme combined these social activities with useful practical information. A meeting with a representative of Lithuania’s 112 emergency response service helped students learn how to act in emergency situations and better understand the support available to them while living in Lithuania.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The activities continued beyond Orientation Week. In October, Erasmus+ students and EHU buddies travelled together to Trakai, one of Lithuania’s best-known historic towns.
The group travelled from Vilnius by train and spent the day exploring Trakai and its surroundings. The programme included time to discover the town, taste traditional kibinai, associated with the Karaim community of Trakai, and visit the famous Trakai Island Castle.
The trip offered students another opportunity to learn about Lithuania outside the classroom while spending time with their peers in an informal setting.
For international students, experiences such as these are an important part of mobility. They provide opportunities not only to discover a new country, but also to communicate across cultures, build friendships and gradually feel more at home in a new environment.
A New Semester and a New Community
The first weeks of an Erasmus+ semester can bring many new experiences at once: a new university, unfamiliar academic systems, a different city, new people and, often, a new language environment.
Through a combination of academic orientation, practical support and shared cultural activities, EHU aims to help incoming students feel informed, connected and welcome from the beginning of their mobility.
For this semester’s Erasmus+ students, the journey has only started. The months ahead will bring new courses, experiences and opportunities to become even more involved in the academic and social life of EHU.
We wish all our Erasmus+ students an inspiring semester in Vilnius and at European Humanities University!
