Experiencing studying abroad is one of the memories that will remain in the mind of M. Farhan Ghazy, student at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Brawijaya. Last semester, Farhan experienced the coldness of Lithuania through the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards 2024. For six months, he becomes part of Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas (VDU) or better known as VMU.
Luckily, the study location can be reached by public transportation. “VMU is located in the center of Kaunas city. During study, all courses are in the city center, although the buildings are different. The furthest distance between buildings is around 15 minutes on foot,” he explained. While at VMU, Farhan lived in a dormitory, a 30-minute bus ride to campus. This dormitory is also occupied by several foreign students, which increasingly provides new cultural treasures for its residents, including Farhan.
Being in eastern Europe means having to get used to weather that is the opposite of the city of Malang. The weather in Kaunas at that time, according to Farhan, tended to be cold. Autumn brings temperatures of around 10°C, while winter can reach -25°C with average temperatures below zero. “Personally, I don’t have much difficulty adapting to cold weather, but some of my friends have to wear layers of clothing to deal with low temperatures,” explained this Class of 2021 student.
In matters of the tongue, according to him, there are no significant obstacles. “Food in Lithuania is quite diverse and easy to accept on my tongue,” explained this member of IAAS LC UB. Some of the typical Lithuanian snacks that Farhan has tasted are Šaltibarščiai or pink soup made from kefir and pickled beets, Kibinai which is like a pastel filled with meat, Bulviniai Blynai or Lithuanian potato pancakes, Kepta Duona, Sakotis, Lietuviškas Midus and Kvass. “I think all of these foods are delicious, and still easy to enjoy,” he added.
While at VMU, Farhan did not only participate in academic activities. There are many other activities and extracurriculars provided by the campus, such as language learning, local music concerts, and new student orientation at the Kaunas Botanical Garden and Centras. VMU, according to Farhan, also provides various opportunities to volunteer, such as teaching students at local schools and cultural exchanges with students from other countries.
“If you ask me about the feeling of living in Eastern Europe, it is definitely different from Western and Central Europe, where the area seems quieter, the location and atmosphere here are also much calmer than any country I have ever visited, the nature is still preserved and the air is clean from pollutants making this place very beautiful. Lithuania is one of the most comfortable places to live, with all the aspects that exist there, I don’t think there are any challenges that must be considered other than the cold weather for friends who can’t stand the cold. If there is an opportunity to go there again, I will definitely go there again,” he concluded. (VQ/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir)