Why Lithuania?
| • | My own path |
| • | World without limits |
| • | Exploting my roots |
| • | The LCC lens |
Stories
Leah Hartman, Trinity Western University
My journey from an interest in studying in Lithuania, to currently being here was long and rocky. I first heard about LCC four years ago when my sister looked into attending here. She, like myself, has a love for travel and a passion for culture. After researching her options for studying abroad, my sister decided LCC was her best choice and came for a semester. During her time here she had a multitude of irreplaceable experiences and came to a new understanding of herself, the world and how the two fit together. I remember when she came back how changed she seemed- so much wiser, and with such nice clothes! At the time I thought it was cool for her to have done such a trip, but never thought I would be doing anything similar.
Last year I started to seriously consider doing a study abroad program. The two options that stood out to me were Australia and Lithuania. Deciding between the two took me quite some time; they both had pros and cons which seemed to balance out. As I wrestled with my decision I met with a friend of mine who had lived in Lithuania for two years. She decided to apply with me and see if coming was a possibility. Both of us were accepted and put our down payments out, certain we would be going. When it came time to select classes we were dismayed to find that our schedules were not fitting with the classes offered, and as a result my friend felt it was a sign that she was not suppose to attend LCC that semester. When one makes plans with a friend to do something like a study abroad program it feels like their presence will make it much easier to adjust to a new culture because you have the support of someone who already knows you. When I heard she was no longer coming I was so confused. I didn’t know if I really wanted to go on such a big adventure all alone. There was no one else from my school going, making it impossible to meet anyone before arriving in Lithuania. Attending LCC suddenly seemed less attractive- for one my sister had already attended, I would know no one, and Australia’s heat and fun atmosphere suddenly seemed so appealing.
After praying for guidance I started to work through these issues. The Australia vs. Lithuania conflict was the first to go. Although I would still like to do a study abroad in Australia the truth is that I will probably end up going there on a vacation at some point in my life. I feel like I would be able to understand the culture quickly because of its openness and warmth. Lithuania appeared a place that I would be unlikely to visit just for the sake of it, and even if I did I knew its culture was too complex to feel I had an understanding of it in any less then a few months. My final decision was to pick Lithuania with the idea in mind of visiting Australia in the near future.
The second issue, that of going alone, weighed heavily on me. I was terrified. Not only was I the only person from my school, but the only person from my whole country attending! It took a leap of faith to commit to going, and I felt anxious all summer about entering a new world all alone. Now that I am here I can honestly say it was the best thing for me. Coming alone opened so many doors for me. I have been stretched from my comfort zone and from that I have learned much. Being alone encouraged me to get to know people. I remember a week into my time here being shocked that I had only known my roommates a few short days. I felt so connected and at ease with these people, probably in part because of my willingness to be open and real with them. Coming alone actually turned out to be a blessing, not a burden.
The final hurdle in my decision to come was the fact that my sister had already attended LCC. I hated the idea of going somewhere and having the same experiences as her. When you tell people you are going to school in Lithuania, the general response is “Litha-wha?” In my case half the people responded with “o ya, the place your sister went, right?” I felt like this destination was no longer exciting and new because a family member had already been there and done that. My sister talked to me about it, she encouraged me saying that I would be going to the same school but having my own “Lithuanian Adventure”. I didn’t feel satisfied on this note, but decided to come anyways. Now I am so glad I did! My Lithuanian experience is indeed different from my sister’s, and different from everyone else’s who has come here. Not only has the school changed from Lithuanian Christian College to LCC International University, but all of Klaipeda has been developing too. Places like Akropolis (the mall) and many shopping areas weren’t here a few years back. All these new developments guarantee a physical change for each new group of study abroads who come, yet I am convinced it is the people we meet and interact with here who really set the experience for us. I have found wonderful connections with students from a mass diversity of countries and cultures. This is my time in Lithuania, my turn to be here. Rather then comparing and trying to see what others have seen, I am embracing this as my chance to live and learn in a culture so different from my own. So am I happy to be here? I can sincerely answer yes, and encourage anyone looking into it to take the plunge and come. Experience is an irreplaceable teacher, you will be changed, and I can guarantee you will not regret it.
Chris Miller, Azusa Pacific University
I am basically involved in all the same activities and classes as everyone else. I had a similar experience as the others on our trips to Russia, Latvia and Estonia. And like the others, I miss home-cooked meals, loved ones and peanut butter. Where the LCC Study Abroad program really gets to me is the 21 different cultures/nationalities, and the opportunity to travel. My name is Chris Miller (you can just call me Chris); I am a third year at Azusa Pacific University, have previously attended APU High Sierra program, and next semester I will be experiencing the South Africa program.
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to grow close to people from too many countries to list. I have roommates from Russia, Macedonia and Lithuania. The Lithuanian knows the ‘business world’ better than all of my business major friends back home put together, the Macedonian has more fun than any friend I have ever know (and he still gets all A’s), and the Russian is more mature and respectable than I could ever dream. Other than my roommates, Ukrainians run this school; if I’m looking to have a fun night, good food, solid study partner, awesome dancer, or a chill one-on-one tea talk – they are the ones to go to. ;) There are many other nationalities and inherent characteristics that build an amazing environment impossible to find elsewhere.
To those of you reading this who are debating on whether to come, if it is worth the extra stress on your future classes, financially, or if it would be better to go somewhere like England, Australia or New Zealand. Stop reading this and send the confirming email to the Study Abroad office, LCC will change your life; it will give you experiences you will never forget, it will also help to reveal who you are, who you can be, and most of all that there is an enormous world outside of your current bubble.
Now that you have confirmed:
To those who are going to LT! Take advantage, travel all over Europe (ryanair.com, kayak.com) or best of all go home with your new friends. Don’t be shy, meet everyone and be open to new cultures and experiences (non-life-threatening ones); don’t be afraid to build deep relationships. Bring: gifts for your roommates, DVD’s, peanut butter and random things that make you – you. If you have any other questions email me!
The world only has the limits you give it.
Vita Genovaite Reivydas, Hillsdale College
On the day I met with the Study Abroad group I was talking to Vilma—deciding where to walk around Old Town Vilnius. I read the signs, ordered my own meals, and bargained for souvenirs. I had just met 8 members of the study abroad staff and 22 fellow North Americans, but felt very at home. Soon enough, I had someone asking me what the plan was for the next day. Caught off guard, I responded by saying that I had no idea and they should ask an Intern. My answer shocked them, because they assumed me to be an Intern! Though flattered, I am merely an ethnic Lithuanian who happened to be born in the United States.
When I found the program through LCC International University, I jumped at the chance. I had been eagerly awaiting my chance to spend a semester abroad, and it has been more fun than I could’ve imagined. My whole life I have been an active member of the Lithuanian community in Los Angeles, and participate in Lithuanian events all over the United States and even in Canada—so being surrounded by Lithuanians is nothing new to me. Even though we are all in Lithuania, the experience of sharing a dorm, classroom, and many wonderful adventures is made that much better because we share this semester with students from all around the world. I’ve been so blessed to be here this semester, especially because of all of the exciting developments happening at LCC International University. Besides that, the excitement of experiencing a Lithuanian lifestyle outside of my home community has been wonderful.
I’m a rather odd case at LCC International University. I grew up calling myself a Lithuanian and attending a Lithuanian Saturday school, scouts, youth groups, and dance groups, but didn’t visit Lithuania until I was 16 years old. I knew all of the facts from history books, but never really got the chance to experience them. From the time I started to speak, my parents only taught me Lithuanian, and with my grandparents as my caretakers, it was all too easy to learn the language well. When I was old enough my parents sent me to Lithuanian school on Saturdays; from pre-school all through high school I attend language, literature, history, religion, and folk dance classes. That was just the beginning of my exposure to Lithuanian communities abroad. After classes, we went to Lithuanian Scout meetings, youth group events, or more dance practice. These extra curricular activities allowed me to travel across the country and make ties with other Lithuanians. In 1996, 2000, and 2004, I participated in Lithuanian folk-dance festivals in Chicago and Toronto, and in 2003 I took my first trip to Lithuania to participate in the national Song Festival, which celebrates a variety of performing arts. This summer I will be involved in another dance festival in Los Angeles. Scouts and youth group were other great ways to keep busy and meet lifelong friends. Besides local meetings and camps—national and international conferences, festivals, and camps are held. For the past 8 years I have been able to travel from California to Michigan, Illinois, Toronto, and the surrounding areas, at least yearly, to involve myself in Lithuanian activities in North America. Being shaped by the Lithuanian community of Los Angeles has given me countless opportunities, wonderful experiences, and led me to make the choice to come to LCC International University for a semester abroad.
When applying for the program I was surprised to find out that no other Lithuanian-American had ever applied before. With the amount of Lithuanians living in the U.S. alone, I was sure that someone had at least heard of LCC International University. It turns out that everyone I spoke to was as surprised as I was that this program and even this school existed. I thought I might as well be a pioneer, and cannot wait to get back to the U.S. and promote this school to my friends and community. This semester has helped to give a more concrete foundation to my roots. It was always fun to be involved in Lithuanian activities back home, and now I have all the more reason to continue!
Andrew Little, Eastern University
Why study in Lithuania? After I found it on the map surrounded by a couple of countries I had hardly ever heard of, I began to realize Lithuania was disconnected from anything I had ever known. I began to wonder what makes a country like that unique and what the people there are like. I began to wonder what it would be like to live there, step outside the comfortable atmosphere of my American lifestyle, and experience something beyond other typical European Study programs. I decided I’d like to study in a part of Europe that few people get the opportunity to see.
LCC International University was a lens through which I was able to experience Eastern European culture. While it is in the middle of Klaipeda, Lithuania, LCC still provided a sense of familiarity. There were still the cars, buildings, houses and people just like anywhere else, but at the same time, they were all different in a way that subtly reminded me that I was not in the United States. The trips to Russia, Latvia and Estonia were unique opportunities to go somewhere few people know about and experience the culture with relative ease. I was constantly pinching myself on these trips recognizing I would never have been able to visit them on my own. Yet after each trip I felt capable of independently navigating foreign places on my own -- so I did. While studying here, I was able to travel to Germany, Austria and Italy. And I am not the only one. Other Study Abroad students visited Sweden, Spain, Norway and Poland. Some were even lucky enough to travel home and visit the families of their roommates.
Even though the professors, class set-up and educational ethic are very American, the characteristic that makes students here feel at home is the relationships. The real learning comes from the relationships with other students. Through my friendships I was able to gain a clear picture of how people in this area live, think and feel. LCC draws a diverse group of students from Eastern European countries like Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. Even Germany represents itself through Study Abroad students. The most valuable experiences have been my interactions with these students and the opportunity to live and learn with them. Even if I did not learn a thing in class, I will go back home with a richer educational experience as a result of the friendships and relationships I have made which have broadened my worldview immensely.
