Studies in Lithuania and studies abroad. Cultural clashes and new experiences. Discoveries and astonishments. We talked about all of this with NMA students, who were not afraid to launch themselves into a life of adventure and went to study abroad through exchange programs. How are they doing discovering new worlds out there? Let’s read and find out!
Aistė Kiltinavičiūtė, Lithuanian philology
I am studying at the United World College (UWC) of the Adriatic in the small Italian town of Duino, not far from Trieste. There are thirteen United World Colleges in the world, and there are seven Lithuanians studying at them right now. The two-year long studies follow the international baccalaureate programme (IB).
The students in my college are from over 80 different countries. This one simple sentence says a lot: Iranian lunch, Chinese ‘’lucky stars’’, African dancing until the dawn, roommates from Tanzania and Albania, friendly Arabian revolutionists… Italy is the country that has the most UNESCO heritage sites.Venice, Padua, Florence, and Pisa are only a few of the cities that are accessible and worth visiting. The college makes an effort to ensure that every student experiences something he or she never had a chance to do before. Thus, skiing, yoga, social work, fascinating lab experiments, meetings with writers and ambassadors, themed discussion nights, and national weeks are just a small part of what I would call ‘’UWC madness’’.
Renaldas Barkauskas, Mathematics
I am studying at Vasario 16-osios gimnazija, a Lithuanian gymnasium in Southern Germany, not far from the Rhine River. I often cycle for 4 kilometres to school. In my opinion, the teachers at my gymnasium are strong and most of them are funny, but also strict when necessary. The principal of our gymnasium is Bronė Narkevičienė. We often celebrate Lithuanian holidays here and hold various of sports competitions, e.g. in football, basketball, table tennis, pool. The principal and some of the teachers come to cheer and support us. Teachers here are like our friends. Afterwards we have an award ceremony – I have more than one medal. Football games are my favourite. The gymnasium also offers many extracurricular activities. I am part of the Mathematics Club. Half of the students in the school are Germans and half of them are Lithuanians. This allows us to learn the language much more quickly. The diploma of this gymnasium is recognised all over the world. If my studies go well, I feel that after graduation I will be able to continue my education at a distinguished university. Not far from the school there is a huge dormitory. It is tidy and the rooms there are spacious and clean. To students usually share a room. I had a chance to live there, so I know that the residence supervisors are caring and understanding. My gymnasium is cool. I am happy I came here.
Dominykas Šemeklis, Economics
Sawadee Khrap! This is how Thai people greet each other. As you might have guessed, I am studying in an exotic and distant country – Thailand. I am in my second year at one of the international schools of Bangkok. The lessons here are held in English and in accordance with the international baccalaureate (IB) programme; and they are taught by teachers from different countries around world. The school is small – it’s only a few hundred students. However, they are all from different countries, and interesting and charming in their own different ways. But my stay in this distant country is not limited to school – I have many different hobbies and friends. After school, I play rugby and go swimming. I spent my free time with friends. No matter how much I like meeting people from other countries, my best friends remain Lithuanians – they are Andra and Sandra (also studying at NMA). It is because of NMA that the togetherness and collaboration of its students continue not only inLithuania, but also abroad.
Andra Bagdonaitė, Lithuanian philology
Other people are often surprised that while being abroad I do not study – I learn. When I felt the disparity of this opportunity in my hands for the first time I was amazed as well. The distance, foreign language not only worried me but also attracted my curious nose at the same time. Step by step, experience by experience, impression by impression and Thailand became as familiar to me as a sea-polished amber.
The last two years are by far the craziest experience in my life. What supposed to be just studying unclosed me a lot more: friends from the distant parts of the world, new places explored while traveling, acquaintance with oriental traditions and memories which make my family smile and amaze. I couldn’t even imagine that one day I would dress a national Thai costume, learn Thai dances and sing an anthem in Thai language. Everything that I tried is invaluable.
I would not turn the time back or try changing my destiny. I would only thank the Academy for the great contribution discovering and experiencing this sweet of my life.
Sandra Mitkutė, Economics
I study in Bangkok, Thailand, in the Regent’s school for the first year. I have to admit that it wasn‘t a journey to complete uncertainty. I‘ve heard a lot from Andra and Dominykas so I was ready not only for the demanding work but also for one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life.
Thailandas a country amazed not only for its tropical climate but also for the warm culture. Despite living plainly, people here always shine and mostly treat us nicely and friendly. At school it’s a bit different: there are students of various nationalities therefore during lessons one may hear different opinions and attitudes. I am often asked in Lithuania if I can speak Thai though I must admit that I know only few words.
We are studying on the International Baccalaureate program and communicate only in English. Every day we have four lessons for 80 minutes each nevertheless time flies here much faster. The lessons are particularly interesting and we get a lot more practice and creative tasks than in Lithuania. Small classes, 10 students most, let us get closer not only to each other but also to the teachers.
I have plenty activities after school: I sing in a school choir, play football, participate in the United Nations modeling and even tried national Thai dancing. Moreover, the school encourages joining the charity and many other social activities for this should be done by every TB student. In fact, the beginning of the school year wasn’t as I expected – the flood made me leave the country earlier than I planned. Still, the understanding teachers helped us learn via internet therefore I expect resuming my studies after the holidays.
Ieva Steponavičiūtė, Economics
America, America! For ones – the land of dreams, for others – just a country form Friday’s romantic comedy movie. I had never thought that I would find myself here – in fact, I was even a little skeptical: “Not for me… Travelling – maybe, but not for living and studying.” That’s evidence that one may have million plans but life will simply laugh – it’s been three moths already since I’m having my 11th grade studies in the Lawrenceville School – one of the best private schools in theUSA.
I arrived here after winning the Davis scholarship, which gave me an opportunity of graduating school on the other side of the Atlantic which I definitely do not regret. The States is the land of stereotypes so I wanted to check and try everything that I’ve heard before. Results? Yes, the Americans eat a lot. Yes, they would rather use a GPS and drive 5 minutes by car than take a walk. No, a football player is not necessarily stupid. What is more, there are truly plenty of tiny neighborhoods, Thanksgiving Day (or at least the turkey) is a great holiday and the Black Friday – the sale Friday – does cause a psychosis for entire family.
Sometimes I quietly laugh, sometimes – wonder but I always try to understand and observe as much as possible. When I got to New York for the first time I realized that the America does exist and that I actually am here. While standing on the roof of the Empire State Building I laughed with my whole heart and was quietly thankful for such opportunity. I got involved in a great adventure I still cannot believe it sometimes but I enjoy every minute that I have.
