The HOBBYPRO initiative, which has been running for several years and invited employees to introduce their hobbies to their colleagues, has this year evolved into HOBBYLAB – a project offering the community regular classes lasting several months.

Eimantas Zaksas, the initiator of both projects and the coordinator of cultural activities, reveals that he wanted to develop the successful HOBBYPRO project by involving students in the activities and giving the Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) community the opportunity to nurture existing or discover new hobbies here at Kauno kolegija HEI, and to do this not during one class, but regularly.

Received huge engagement from students and employees

Unlike HOBBYPRO, HOBBYLAB project activities are open to not only employees but also students. E. Zaksas notes that after noticing that students who attend regular classes stop attending them after about half a year, it was decided to offer them activities lasting 3–5 months: ‘So by bringing students and employees together for the first activities, we hoped to maintain their interest.’

During the first half of the year of the project, employees were invited to watercolour painting and solo Latin dance classes, and students were invited to attend board games and solo Latin dance classes. E. Zaksas is pleased that all classes attracted the maximum possible number of participants: 20 students attended the board games, 18 employees and 28 students attended the solo Latin dance, and 10 employees attended the watercolour painting.

‘The results of this project were truly a pleasant surprise, as both employees and students were willing to get involved in the proposed activities and actively attended them. All groups were full or almost full for the entire 3-month period,’ shares E. Zaksas.

Having led one of the activities himself – board games, E. Zaksas says he is delighted with the success of the project and the active involvement of the community.

‘For example, students have become so involved in the world of board games that they have created a Facebook group, and since the Kauno kolegija HEI library has almost 90 different board games available for borrowing for a week, students now regularly play board games in their dormitories,’ says E. Zaksas, adding that in the future, they will continue to look for activities that would interest and involve students.

Although the HOBBYLAB project is just getting started, there are no plans to stop, given the first results – classes will be held for the rest of the academic year and, hopefully, next academic year.

‘In January, we plan to find out the expectations of students and staff. Currently, we are considering activities such as debates, public speaking, ceramics, and phone photography, but everything will depend on the community, whose wishes are the most important in this project,’ shares E. Zaksas.

Strengthens a sense of community and relationships

Paula Plaušinytė, a General Practice Nursing student who attended solo Latin dance classes, says that the dances left a unique impression on her.

‘The most memorable moment was when I completely relaxed and all my movements just “danced” with the music. I was especially impressed by how freely and naturally my body followed the rhythm of the music, and I was able to express my emotions through each step of the dance. These moments, when the dance becomes an intimate connection between the body and the music, are what I remember most and inspire me to continue dancing,’ shares P. Plaušinytė.

The student also reveals that she appreciates Kauno kolegija HEI’s initiative to organise such classes, as it not only provides an opportunity to relax, but also to try new activities, develop community spirit, and strengthen interpersonal relationships.

‘Dance and other cultural activities can help students take a break from academic activities and their challenges, and also develop body coordination and self-confidence, reduce stress, and promote creativity,’ says the General Practice Nursing student.

Ugnė Tamulionytė, a third-year student of the Finance study programme, who attended the board game classes, reveals that what she liked most about the classes was that they gave her the opportunity to meet new people and have fun in the evenings.

‘It was a great opportunity to try something new and discover a new hobby. I really enjoyed trying out many different games, and after choosing the ones I liked the most, I bought them and played them at home with friends or family. If such classes were not held at Kauno kolegija HEI, I think I would not have participated in them, but knowing that the classes were organised by the Kauno kolegija HEI, I decided to participate,’ the student shares.

U. Tamulionytė singles out the greatest advantage of the HOBBYLAB project as the opportunity for students from different study programmes to meet and spend time engaging in a common hobby: ‘Students get involved in activities, meet up and share about other activities they can participate in, and in this way, the Kauno kolegija HEI student community becomes more active.’

Virginija Kairienė, a senior accounting specialist who attended the watercolour painting classes, also says that she sees Kauno kolegija HEI’s initiative to organise HOBBYLAB activities very positively, as it helps to get to know colleagues better, encourages communication and a sense of community.

‘Like most people, I came across the arts at school. A few years ago, I tried drawing again and really liked this activity, so I would say that it is a renewed hobby that helps me relax – it is like a kind of meditation. I also liked the new theoretical knowledge I gained during the classes, which I applied in practice,’ shares V. Kairienė.

Meanwhile, Eugenija Sabaliauskaitė, who led solo Latin classes for both employees and students, admits that she was surprised by the particularly active involvement of the employees: ‘For example, if an employee could not come to a class on her own time, then she would come to a class with the students, and they all bought dance shoes! It is very gratifying when people themselves get involved so actively and willingly.’