The Pilot VMU InterCultural Meeting have taken place
Last week was special not only because the spring has finally decided to make up its mind and behave as the spring should, but also that this bout of great weather coincided with the first-ever VMU Intercultural Week organised by the International Cooperation Department (ICD).
From 8th to 14th of May, international students of VMU had an opportunity to visit various museums of Kaunas, VMU Botanical Garden and excursions organised by their fellow VMU students free of charge.
Students had a variety of options to choose from: they could visit M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art, Vytautas the Great War Museum, 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress, Historical Presidential Palace and Lithuanian Education History Museum.
Moreover, VMU students responded to the call of the ICD, and volunteered their time to offer personalised guided tours to the international students. 8 tours for students to choose from offered to see cosy places of Kaunas, get to know its history, architecture and street art and bars were organised.
“We are very glad that VMU students have reacted to our call and organised tours for their fellow international students, and that students had an opportunity to visit museums and the VMU Botanical Garden. We hope that this event organised by the ICD managed to contribute to the integration of foreign students during these trying times of the pandemic,” Mrs. Ilona Kazlauskaitė, Head of the International Cooperation Department told about the motivation behind organising this initiative.
Even though safety restrictions currently limit the options for entertainment and sightseeing, students and guides shared with ICD their fondest impressions about the excursions, museum exhibitions, new acquaintances they made and a great time they had.
“It was so fun to meet and get to know students personally. We have seen all the objects from our plan and stopped by at VMU Multifunctional Center for Studies and Research to look around, see the terrace and the library. I returned from the tour so glad, and we exchanged contacts. When we parted, students said that they had fun and later even messaged me to thank for a great day,” said Akvilė Lukošiūtė, VMU student and one of the volunteer guides of the InterCultural Meetings.
Drawing from the success of the pilot event, VMU ICD plans for the event to return again in the Fall Semester, featuring more activities for both foreign and local students and interactive, educational and entertaining meetings all around Kaunas.
If you have any ideas for activities that could bring international and local students together for some shared quality time, we will help to make them happen, if you share them with us at international@vdu.lt
