While attitudes towards the “different” person are changing little by little, there is often still a lack of tolerance when they are around. The heroes of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences tolerance initiative “Respect and Support” are those who are not afraid to stand out: those who bravely accept challenges, break stereotypes and want to achieve more. Their lips evoke echoes of ingrained beliefs, the desire to forget stereotypes and get to know people regardless of their age, gender, skin color, origin, social status, religion, sexual orientation.

Almost 78% of students in Lithuania are employed, according to a EUROSTUDENT survey carried out in 25 European countries, including Lithuania. For working students, the support of the higher education institution is also important, and Kaunas University of applied sciences provides exactly that. For example, Rasa Bartkevičienė, a student at the Faculty of Arts and Education at Kaunas Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, says that she is not only a mother of two children, who works and studies, but also focuses on her family business.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Rasa. I am currently doing both work and study, as well as taking care of my family and contributing to the family business that we already had when I started my studies in Pre-School and Early Childhood Education.

How did you make the decision to study?

After my first studies, my husband and I emigrated abroad. When we were living there, I was offered a job in a kindergarten, but I turned it down because we were already planning to return to Lithuania. However, I thought it would be really fun to work in such a job and I should try it. Back in Lithuania, I didn’t tell anyone about my plans. I came to Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, applied and got in. I only told everyone when I had already joined – many were surprised because they didn’t think I would be interested in this field.

How did you make the decision to work during your studies?

I wasn’t planning to work during my studies, but in my second year I received a job offer. I thought I’d give it a go – if it’s too hard, I‘ll quit, but you know – the more you do, the more you get done. It’s very good that we have grandparents – both my parents and my husband’s parents really help a lot with the children. The biggest job is to take them to school, afterschool activities, to bring them home.

How did you feel in the community of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences? 

The interaction with the community was very good, warm and I certainly didn’t feel special just because I wasn’t studying straight out of school.

What more would you like to share with the readers?

The most important thing is to be determined and take that step, and then everything will be fine. Of course, there will be harder phases and there will be easier phases, but it’s definitely possible to balance everything.