After the long holidays, the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of VU was filled not only with local students, but also with foreign students – 35 students from Azerbaijan, Greece, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Portugal, France, Singapore, Taiwan, Spain, Turkey and South Korea came to VU MIF. They include 8 Masters students and one PhD student. Some of the students came under contracts from other VU faculties, but has chosen at least one field of study in MIF – it is students from Japan, Ukraine, Norway, Hong Kong, Colombia. The students came under the Erasmus+ exchange program, a bilateral agreement between universities, as well as for Lithuanian language courses.
Exchange students. VU MIF photo.
Maria from Portugal says she chose Lithuania for her study exchange for a reason many Lithuanians would find strange – the cold weather. She does not like the heat, so a cooler climate was appealing to her. Also, the courses offered at VU MIF were a good fit for her study programme. Maria revealed that she has already had a chance to enjoy the centre of Vilnius, and she hopes not to be too stressed during her studies, as the life here seems more peaceful to her. "I hope to be happy during my studies," she laughs.
Antonio, an Italian, says he wants to experience a different culture, meet new people and improve his communication and English language skills. His study plan at the University of Milan was also in line with the courses offered at the VU MIF. Antonio would like to see more of Lithuania's nature, as he has noticed that it is a green and wooded country. He praises our country to Italians who want to study abroad: "It's a different, very beautiful country. The people are wonderful, they speak good English. The university buildings are also spectacular.
Moment of the meeting. VU MIF photo.
During the semi-annual meeting with the exchange students, Justina Krauledaitė, the coordinator of international studies at VU MIF, told the newcomers about the studies, answered their questions, played a few games to get to know each other and presented them with MIF souvenirs. VU SA MIF representative Kristupas gave the international students a tour of the Didlaukis Campus and told them about the activities of the Students' Representation.