New friendships, improved language skills, a new learning culture and the most memorable adventures – this is how the International Business students of Faculty of Business describe their Erasmus+ experience in higher education institutions abroad, which is one of the best ways to develop their communication and professional competences in international setting. Future international business professionals currently studying in Finland and the Netherlands are quick to share their first impressions.

Viktorija Mankutė who left to study at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, emphasizes that, it was only after she left that she realized she had an advantage over other international students due to the wide mobility opportunities available at Kaunas University of Applied Sciences. “Talking to students from other countries, I realized that they put a lot of effort getting into this institution and that really surprised me. Not everyone has this opportunity in other universities, and when they do, they feel special because the level of education in Finland is very high,” says the student.

Viktorija had a slightly different vision before coming to this country, so she didn’t expect the climate to be so unsteady. “If you think that the weather in Lithuania is unpredictable, in Finland it is even more so. One minute the sun is shining, the next minute it’s pouring rain,” she says. But it’s all made up for by the sights of Nordic nature, which is undoubtedly on of the most beautiful thing in Finland.

Viktorija, living just outside the center of Helsinki is surprised that even the places where the city is the most vibrant, it’s all covered in greenery. “As soon as you leave your house, there is a forest where you can go for a walk, jog and also go picking berries or mushrooms during the season. Finland is known as the country of a thousand lakes for good reason – Finland’s lakes are extremely clean and the water is fresh,” says second-year student.

Simona Akavickytė, a third-year student of International Business, chose Vaasa University of Applied Sciences for her Erasmus+ adventure. She was really impressed by the activities offered for students: various trips, many meetings, themed evenings and even a cruise. The future international business graduate praises the communication between the lecturers and the students, which is including not only the presentation of theoretical material, but also the encouragement to debate.

Simona says that for those who are considering Finland as their Erasmus+ destination, she would still advise them to prepare financially in advance, as it is not cheap to live there, same as Viktorija, Simona says that weather conditions get quite harsh, so bringing warmer clothes won’t be a bad idea.

Andželika Kasperavičiūtė, who has decided to go with Erasmus+ programme to the western part of Europe, the Netherlands, is drowning in euphoria. “I didn’t think I would ever say this, but I’m very happy that I’ve had this opportunity to go on Erasmus+ study programme,” says the student who chose to study at the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.

Andželika isn’t hiding that beginning wasn’t easy. The second-year student points out that finding a place to live in the Netherlands is quite a challenge, and she would highly advise students to arrange their accommodation before coming to the Netherlands.

“It wasn’t difficult for me to get used to the new way of living, quite the contrary, I’d say, I’ve found the perfect country to stay in for a longer time. People here are always happy, not burdened by unnecessary thoughts and genuinely nice – they always say hello to each other on the street, which is quite unusual in Lithuania,” says the student.

Students who went on Erasmus+ encourage fellow Kaunas University of Applied Sciences students to give it a shot. Although the Erasmus+ application period for students wishing to study in the spring semester of 2022 has already ended, we encourage you to find out more about the various other international opportunities by contacting specialist in the International Relations Department of your faculty. As a reminder, the application process for the 2022 summer internship or study/internship in the 2022 – 2023 autumn semester will start in February.