VMU Erasmus Staff Week 2025 Through the Eyes of an Erasmus Student

Vytautas Magnus University’s (VMU) Erasmus student Zeynep Nur Ersahin from Aydin Adnan Menderes University (Turkey) shares her experience about VMU Erasmus Staff Week 2025.

Attending this event as an Erasmus student was a very special and valuable experience for me. I had the chance to meet university staff from many different countries. Talking and interacting with them helped me see things from new and different perspectives in terms of life and education. In addition to this, meeting people from diverse cultural backgrounds taught me to look at the world from different angles, which is something every young person aspires to.

Zeynep Nur Ersahin

The first day of Erasmus Staff Week featured a cultural food event. The participants of the event brought and shared their national cuisine. I joined not only as a participant but also as an intern by helping with the organization while also interacting with and learning from other people about their culture, food, and history. It was a great opportunity for me to offer help, additionally to experience the cultural exchange. I kept thinking ‘‘I must ensure that our guests feel comfortable and welcomed” because I really wanted to be helpful. One of the main reasons I felt this way was because VMU Erasmus Unit (which I am a part of as an intern) made me feel like a true member of VMU family.

Throughout the week, we have attended different useful workshops and seminars. One of the sessions which was called “Happiness at Work” helped me to understand how to deal with stress and focus on mental well-being in my future work environment. I was really drawn to stress management training. It was fascinating to see how different individuals respond to stress and how personal backgrounds influence their responses. Furthermore, I learned how I can use my stress as an encouragement to achieve my goals. This helped me to understand that stress is not always something negative, since it can be a useful indicator of what needs to be addressed and improved. It is also important to emphasize the location of the seminar “Happiness at Work”, as it was held at VMU Botanical Garden. The place was very meaningful to me. After the first session, we engaged with nature. Being surrounded by nature helped me to calm down and relax, which allowed me to focus during the stress management sessions.

Zeynep Nur Ersahin

One of the most enjoyable parts of the week was a guided tour around the city of Kaunas. We walked through the streets of the city with a local guide, who shared in-depth knowledge about history, architecture, and culture of Lithuania. It was not only a sightseeing tour but also a cultural trip that helped me understand the spirit of Kaunas. I felt more connected to the place I was staying at, and it made my Erasmus experience even more enriching and meaningful.

The final highlight of the week was visiting the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics laboratories at the VMU Education Academy. This experience was truly eye-opening. We were introduced to the ways modern technology is being integrated into education and explored various tools and interactive games used to enhance students’ digital skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The laboratory was filled with different types of robots and innovative materials. This visit broadened my understanding of the future of education and gave me ideas about how technology can be used to make education more engaging and effective.

Zeynep Nur Ersahin

In conclusion, this week was truly valuable to me. Having the chance to meet many inspiring university staff was an amazing experience. Each activity taught me valuable lessons. Although I have been staying in Lithuania for less than a month, I already felt like a part of a big family. This event added even more value and depth to my Erasmus internship experience, which I am deeply thankful for.