One of the most challenging things for an Erasmus student is to get used to the local culture and habits. This means dealing with a new language, a different lifestyle and other points of view.
Lithuania could be seen as an unusual destination for an Erasmus project since it is a small country and people do not know a lot about it. Moreover, Lithuania is not an English speaking country, so young people may think that it would be more difficult to get in contact with the local population.
As Italian Erasmus students in Vilnius, we can say that the common stereotypes and clichés do not describe the real Lithuania accurately. Being used to the lively and noisy atmosphere of Italy, it took some days to adapt to the apparent coldness of Lithuanians. But by interacting with them, we were surprised to discover really kind and helpful people.
Another thing that Erasmus students have to face is combining the working and studying activity with their leisure. As a matter of fact the working experience is fundamental for our personal growth but also free time has its own importance to explore the city and its features. Vilnius offers several opportunities to discover the local culture, starting from the countless museums and parks present in the city. Moreover, during the weekends there is a variety of events that allows foreigners to enter the Lithuanian environment. For instance, last week there were the Vilnius Days, during which we could taste typical food and participate in some concerts.
Thanks to the efficient and cheap means of transport, visiting places around Vilnius is very easy and convenient. It is really worth going to the Green Lakes, which can be reached by bus, to Trakai, with its amazing castle surrounded by peaceful and beautiful nature, and to the Baltic Sea. Here you can see the difference between the woods and lakes typical of the Lithuanian hinterland and coastal landscape.
Vilnius is not the typical crowded and noisy capital, it is easy to find quiet places and traffic is not a problem. It could seem strange but right close to the centre you can reach big green areas where you are surrounded by nature. For example the Hill of the Three Crosses is an amazing place to go for a picnic or for a walk.
Vilnius has a huge variety of restaurants and fast foods both in the city centre and in the suburb, and as the means of transport also food is cheap and convenient. There are places in which you can try traditional dishes such as Zeppelins, Fried Bread, Beetroot Soup, Chilled Borscht, Potatoes Pancakes, Kibinai and Raguolis.
As for the night life, in Vilnius there are several pubs where young people can spend time with their friends and have fun. Of course there are some rules, for instance people over 18 can enter the clubs but only the ones over 20 are allowed to drink alcohol.
So Vilnius is a fascinating city and thanks to our experience we can say that it is really worth spending an Erasmus project in the capital of Lithuania.
By Valentina Giombetti, Cecilia Donatiello, Irene Feliziani
