ESN Vilnius University

7 sections of ESN Lithuania have joined the Erasmus in Schools (EiS) project and organised multiple meeting with kids in different schools in Lithuania. 

Wondering what EiS is? It is an ongoing project based on non-formal education. The aim of EiS is to promote mobility, familiarise students with other countries and cultures, new traditions and customs, help them to overcome stereotypes.

The Education Exchanges Support Foundation (Švietimo mainų paramos fondas) has supported the project, and that has resulted in our sections visiting 13 schools and carrying out 14 visits in total. 

The volunteers have started discussions about intercultural communication, the possibilities of mobility, and it was a perfect chance for students to think about their life after school and meet people from all over the world. Meetings like these are a great opportunity to gain the benefits of non-formal education and even learn more about internationalisation, which is becoming more and more important these days.

However, ESN members were not alone. International students from Turkey, Cyprus, Turkmenistan, the Netherlands, Greece, India, Mexico and many other countries have joined the volunteers and traveled to meet the Lithuanian students. 

Together they have reached more than 700 people, debunked stereotypes and explained more about the possibilities and benefits of mobility. Such a high number is the result of work that was carried out with the help of everyone who participated and the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.

Participating in this project was beneficial for both sides. ESN members and international students were able to raise awareness about relevant topics, educate Lithuanian students about the diversity of the world, but they also enjoyed the visits because they were able to proudly present their countries and cultures.

The outcomes of the project motivate the organisation to continue the work and keep trying to spread a positive message about internationalisation.

13 Sections of ESN Lithuania came together on the 30th-31st of March during National Platform 39 that was organised by ESN VMU, and volunteers from ESN Lithuania had an informative and interesting event together with guests from Latvia, Poland, Serbia and Ukraine.

Multiple elections are taking place in Lithuania this year, and ESN Lithuania is no exception. New members of the National Board, Coordinators and Chairs were elected, and they will be working together to ensure a successful future of this organisation. Elected National Board of ESN Lithuania: National Representative - Lukas Blusevičius, Communication Manager - Ugnė Zieniūtė, Events Manager - Agnė Petrauskaitė, Projects Manager - Monika Lisauskaitė. Also, ESN Lithuania elected Health and Well-being Coordinator - Šarūnas Selvestravičius and HR committee chair - Ieva Pociūtė. Votings were definitely a key part of this National Platform because the importance of  in the upcoming European Parliament election was also discussed. Erasmus Student Network is trying to raise awareness regarding active citizenship, and ESN Lithuania is doing its part to inform people about the importance of expressing your opinion in the EU elections.

The 30 years anniversary of ESN was also a major topic during the second day of the Platform. Celebrations will be happening all around Europe this year due to this beautiful anniversary, and ESN Lithuania is already thinking about ways that we could mark this occasion in our country.

Moreover, it was a great National Platform because Timetravels, who are one of our biggest partners, attended the event and provided valuable information that will keep our volunteers motivated and excited about the upcoming trips that they can share with their international students.

Participants also had an opportunity to hear more about Erasmus in Schools (EiS). Members from our organisation will be traveling to multiple schools in Lithuania together with international students and teaching kids about multiculturality, Erasmus+ and their countries. EiS visitations will be happening for two semesters, and we are certain that this will be beneficial for volunteers and the kids.

Finally, sections have voted and decided that the next National Platform will be organised by ESN KUK in Klaipėda.

It was a successful National Platform and people are already waiting for the next one because they will be able to make new connections again and learn more about what is happening in our network.

Tomorrowland joins forces with ESN to offer special tickets for international students

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) partners up with Tomorrowland, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, to offer special ticket sales with pre-sale prices and unique moments to unite at the festival to the international students.

Brought together by shared values of unity in diversity, respect and solidarity, ESN and Tomorrowland have an exciting year ahead. In 2019, ESN celebrates its 30th Anniversary while the Tomorrowland festival turns 15. Now they join forces to offer a special sales moment of tickets which in the previous years have been sold out within minutes. It’s time for the Erasmus Generation to join the People of Tomorrow!

Learn more about the offer

This special offer is available to all ESNcard holders and will allow them to buy up to two tickets for the pre-sale price before the start of official sales.

To get the tickets, international students should

1. Get an ESNcard at one of the 520+ sections all over Europe*
2. Register the ESNcard on ESNcard.org
3. Create a Tomorrowland Erasmus Account from 14.01, 17:00 CET until 24.01, 17:00 CET**
4. Buy the ticket from 25.01, 17:00 CET until 30.01, 17:00 CET or while the stock lasts - hurry up!***
5. Bring the ESNcard to Tomorrowland!
    

The available tickets are:

• Full Madness Pass €249
• Magnificent Greens Package €321
• Magnificent Greens 1P Tent Package €422
• Magnificent Greens 2P Tent Package €795
   

Additionally, special Treasure Case is available for €11,50 (Shipped to Belgium), €18,50 (Shipped to Europe) & €27 (Shipped Worldwide).
 

*ESNcard is available to current international students or trainees & ESN volunteers. See esncard.org/faqto make sure you’re eligible for one.

**(Make sure that the information on your Tomorrowland Account and ESNcard.org matches exactly. Otherwise we won't be able to validate them!)

***You will find your ticket link in at the special Erasmus page in your Tomorrowland Account. First in, first served applies. Be aware tickets are limited.

Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Belgium since 2005. The attendance of the festival reaches up to 400,000 people, which makes it one of the biggest music events worldwide. Endorsed by United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon and composer Hans Zimmer, the festival promotes the value of unity in diversity and respect.  It stretches over 2 weekends and usually sells out in minutes, bringing the world’s best-known DJs together to create one incredible show. In 2019, Tomorrowland will take place between 19 and 28 of July.

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest student association in Europe. Present at over 1000 Higher Education Institutions, it unites over 500 local associations in 39 countries. More than 13,000 volunteers take care of international colleagues under the motto “Students helping students”. ESN works for the creation of a more mobile and flexible education environment by supporting and developing the student exchange from different levels, and providing an intercultural experience.
 

For more information, please visit tomorrowland.esncard.org

Khaoula El Maaloumi from Morocco, Erasmus+ studies in Lithuania (for 5 months)

My Erasmus experience started quite unexpectedly. I heard about Vilnius University at my institution, and suddenly started looking for the courses taught and once I found it, I made my decision to come here. I honestly knew almost nothing about Lithuania before, but even after unforgettably cold weather and strange environment which kind of shocked me on the first day, the impressions about this country change to the better every single day, especially after meeting other international and local students and going to the trips together.

I came to Lithuania in February. When I stepped off the plane, I felt kind of paralysed because of cold, and I couldn’t make myself move for while. It was -11 degrees and it was snowing. It is really nice to watch the snow falling from the house window, but when you are outside… However, I will probably never forget the first winter trip to Trakai and the walking on the frozen lake, when I thought: “how it possible is that it does not break, what is under it? – Water. – I am not a good swimmer!” Some guys were even jumping on the ice just to make it even scarier for me.  Now, after some time I could say that the forests and the green nature in general is probably what impress me the most about Lithuania. Lithuanians should be proud of their nature! Even the cities are really green here. My favourite place in Kaunas so far is probably – Pažaislis Monastery. The nature around is spectacular. I am looking forward to come there again someday.

One of the weirdest things for me in Lithuania is the traditional pink soup. When I first saw it, I could not understand what this pink colour is coming from. I even had an impression that it must be the pink painting. For me it is also very unusual that Lithuanians eat so much potatoes. There is a potato in every meal here. However, I am a kind of person who is able to adapt to the new environment. I actually think that I am going to cry, when I will have to leave. I wish that Erasmus exchange would take longer, I mean a year or maybe even a few years. I think that while being Erasmus student I changed as a person in a good way. I became more independent and made many social connections. I discovered unknown cultures and made good friends. People from different cultures whom I met here have become like a family to me.

I think that Erasmus is a must. If you’re still wondering, you should definitely go on Erasmus exchange. It is an experience of a lifetime. It is all worth it. You meet lots of new people and the best part is that you have so much fun. And Lithuania is a really good destination!

Written by Irmina Budriūtė

Trifon Stanchev from Bulgaria, Erasmus+ studies in Lithuania at Vilnius University faculty of Kaunas (for 5 months):

Erasmus in Lithuania – new friends, good beer and… potatoes!

The idea to go to study in Lithuania came suddenly. My marketing class lecturer told about her impressions during the trip to Lithuania, and advised all of us to go and see it. At that time I was feeling like I needed a new environment and new experience. So right after the lecture I started thinking about going to Lithuania and soon applied for Erasmus exchange at my university. I did not know much about this country before going here but that was what it made me even more curious.

I remember the first day here was actually nice and my mentor picked me up from the bus station and showed me around. My first impressions about Lithuania were positive, indeed. Lithuania has so many cultural monuments: churches, museums and beautiful nature: many rivers and forests. I am not disappointed about university choice either. The lectures here are so practical and well-organised. I am also attending Spanish classes here which I find very useful since I know that I will go to study in Spain next year.

What I find unusual in Lithuania is the national folk dances. It was something I haven’t seen before but it was quite funny, though. I had so much fun while trying to learn some folk dance steps. Lithuanian cuisine is also something very different from what I was used to before. There are so many potatoes here that it seems like every dish is made out of them! The cold pink soup seemed very weird at first too, but once I tried it, it turned out that I really like it!

Probably what I miss the most about my country is the warm weather. The weather here is quite disappointing – there is too much rain and coldness and local people’s mood sometimes seems to be affected by such weather. But I’m impressed about the fact that Lithuanians speak and communicate in English so well and Lithuanian girls, they are so beautiful! So if I was asked to stay for 5 months more in this country, I could not resist. Kaunas is the city where I now spend most of the time and I cannot wait until the weather will get warm and all the trees in Laisvės avenue will come into leaf. I think I will go out and spend all day making pictures all around Kaunas.

Erasmus to me means that I actually became a traveler in a wider sense. Firstly, I came to another country and completely different environment and secondly, I met the people from so many different cultural backgrounds that become good friends of mine. And my tip for future Erasmus students in Lithuania is – pack a luggage full of warm clothes because definitely, you will need those no matter which season you’re planning to stay here. The weather is always unpredictable!

Written by Irmina Budriūtė