The attitude towards “different” people is changing step by step, although the lack of tolerance for such is still present. The tight-knit community of the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences Tolerance Initiative “Respect & Support” is not afraid to stand out: they bravely accept various challenges, break stereotypes and desire to achieve much more. They vocally challenge the deeply ingrained beliefs, awaken the desire to disregard stereotypes and learn about a person regardless of their age, gender, skin colour, origin, social status, religion, sexual orientation.

Almost 15 per cent of Lithuania’s population are foreigners with residence permits who are an important part of our community, walking among us every day, exploring the cities and towns and simply trying to fit in. With Lithuania’s ever-expanding multiculturalism, multinationalism and multilingualism, it is crucial to accept, without any preconceptions, those who think differently, speak another language or nurture different traditions. Despite the challenges, Davit Kldiashvili, who came from Georgia, accepted Lithuania as his second home where he now enjoys his favourite activities, has friends and even a “second mother”. Davit, who has been living in Lithuania for six years, tells us what it took to become a part of Lithuania and its people. Lithuania and accept Lithuanians.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am Davit Kldiashvili and I came here to Lithuania 6 years ago. I studied Tourism and Hotel Management when it was the only Bachelor’s study programme carried out in English at Kaunas University of Applied Sciences.

How did you feel when you first came to Lithuania? What challenges did you face?

My arrival to Lithuania was completely accidental as I had never heard of such a country before. It was certainly an unexpected change in my life. I received an offer from the KUAS to study, live, learn something new, learn a language, get to know people, a new culture and so on and so forth. For me, it sounded like a challenge that I accepted without even consulting with my parents. Dad knew from the start that I am the only one who knows what’s best for me and thus I wouldn’t go against my wishes. So, without knowing English or Lithuanian, without any knowledge of the culture, people’s mentality, I came to Lithuania. In a way, I started my life from scratch.

Did you experience a cultural shock once you arrived? What was the most surprising aspect of Lithuania? What was the hardest thing to get used to?

To start a new life in Lithuania was quite a challenge. I’ve lived in Georgia for twenty years where people have a different mentality, culture and way of thinking. Kartvelians are known for their hospitality and after six years in Lithuania, I can surely say that people here are amiable as well. When I first arrived in Lithuania, the cultural shock was definitely present the first few days as people would stare from afar, which does not really happen in Georgia. However, I kept an open mind wishing to get familiar with my new surroundings. I vividly remember the first day at the KUAS: I had a strange fashion style, I was the only one with a beard and I wore the hat representing Vilnius basketball team “Rytas” and at the time I didn’t know how big the basketball culture was in Lithuania and especially in Kaunas. Over some time, people began to be friendlier, accepting and more open to communicating as the numbers of incoming students were growing; however, only few were involved in extracurricular activities. It was important for me to get involved in sports, culture, art activities. I realized that if I am in a new environment, I have to make it count, and then people around me started noticing that I was active and wanted to integrate.

How was your first year in Lithuania and in the community of KUAS? What were the first reactions you received from Lithuanians?

The first year is always difficult: you leave the comfort zone, you adapt, you travel to unfamiliar places, you form an overview of how people behave and communicate from small details. Without learning Lithuanian and English, it is difficult to live in Lithuania: then I spoke Russian, but it is not always useful. I realized that Kaunas is very respectful of culture: I am a person for whom culture is very important, so it left a great impression. However, in order to live in the country for more than a year, it is necessary to learn the language – this is an expression of respect for a person, a country, a culture, a history. Understanding this makes integration easier: when you come to another country, you should first try not to bring your own, but to get acquainted with the culture of that country.

How did you feel in the community when you did not speak Lithuanian fluently? Was it challenging to communicate in a foreign language in Lithuania?

During my first year, I had to find a job that was a bit tricky without knowing Lithuanian. Nonetheless, I’ve met a few people and got a job offer in the very first month. Then I spent time improving my language skills and wanted to learn as much as possible. At the time I was living in a dormitory with other Erasmus students and I found it difficult to express my opinion because of the language barrier. After three or four months I started speaking English, I felt amazing because I was able to communicate in a language other than Russian. A year and a half later I started speaking Lithuanian as well. Everyone says it’s a difficult language to learn but I don’t agree with that statement because when you have the motivation and desire everything is possible. Hearing students and lecturers at the KUAS speak in Lithuanian and getting help from them at any time made the learning process easier. I basically learned the language together with the community. I also had a “second mother” in Lithuania, a film director and actress Hana Šumilaitė, who immediately accepted me, provided me with information, helped me speak Lithuanian and prepared food for me, which made me feel like I was back at home. She once said to me, “If you learn Lithuanian, you will get a chance to be on stage.” The stage was familiar to me as I’ve been a ballet dancer in Georgia for eleven years. However, I felt challenged to share a stage with other nationalities people, to speak in another language, but my “second mother” kept encouraging me to speak Lithuanian. Then I realized there is no need to be afraid as I have nothing to lose.

Would you say that the KUAS community is spending enough time and attention integrating foreign students? What initiatives could increase tolerance at the KUAS?

Others were hospitable, so I looked at everything positively as well. I understood that students from abroad were important to the administration of the KUAS. During the semester, about 300–400 foreign students come to the university, so the biggest challenge is to integrate that many people. Nonetheless, the attention from the KUAS community was prominent to everyone. In my opinion, everything depends on the person’s motivation and desire: if a foreign student goes abroad only to study and then return home, then no one could force them to get involved in various activities. Foreign students should not be afraid to find new acquaintances. During the years I’ve spent at the KUAS, I have seen a change in the attitude towards foreigners as Lithuanians become more open and accepting of us. As for the future, I’d say that more joint projects between Lithuanians and foreigners should be organized as we can be extremely creative together.

What else would you like to say to the readers?

After six years in Lithuania, I realized that we needed to respect each other and it is a must to leave the comfort zone more often. We usually look ahead without seeing what is in front of us. Don’t be afraid to speak and think in your own way, seek new acquaintances, be yourself, and if you accept yourself, others will At the end of the day we are all human and we may be feeling the same, only expressing that in different languages.