Kateryna Oleksandrivna Borodulina

 

Faculty of Management 

Degree Programme: International Economic Relations 

Group: 292-23-1 

Year of Study: 2nd

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University 

Study period: August 23, 2024 – January 11, 2025 

Mobility programme in: Business Management

The direct speech from the participant

– Where did you stay (dormitory, rented room, hostel, other)?

I stayed in a dormitory for exchange students. I was unnecessarily worried that there might not be enough space, but it’s important to complete the accommodation registration on time. The dormitory was located on the university campus, so it only took me 7 minutes on foot to get from my room to the academic buildings. Since I arrived together with another mobility student, we shared a room, and the kitchen was shared with two more exchange students. The living conditions were excellent, the dormitory staff was always available, and there were no restrictions or issues. 

As for the downsides, I must mention that at the beginning of winter it became very cold, and the basic heating was not sufficient at all. Also, during the winter break, the dormitory administration started renovation works on some floors and relocated students to another dormitory, which was located 20 minutes away from the academic buildings. 

 

– Were you provided with a scholarship for the mobility program? If so, to what percentage did the scholarship cover the minimum necessary living expenses?

I was awarded a scholarship that covered all expenses (100%), including travel to and from the mobility destination.

 

– Based on your experience, what should future mobility program participants pay attention to during preparation?

First of all, future participants should carefully review the list of available courses that can be selected and will be recognized, as this may become the main challenge. 

The initial Learning Agreement (LA) is prepared before the start of the mobility, at a time when the class schedule and teaching styles of the professors are still unknown. Therefore, I strongly recommend preparing backup options in advance and having at least three additional courses that could be taken in case of unexpected changes. This will help avoid difficulties when choosing courses upon arrival.

 

– What unexpected issues arose during your mobility?

I did not encounter any significant issues during my mobility. Studying in Lithuania is relatively easy to adapt to, especially for first-time participants, as the mentality and habits of the local people are quite similar. Moreover, both English and Russian are commonly spoken in the country, which makes communication easier. The only issue I faced was overlapping courses in the schedule. Unfortunately, neither the international office nor the students have any influence over this. 

As for the visa and document submission process, I experienced no difficulties. It is important to keep in mind that when applying, you need to provide a copy of your health insurance in English. The visa application process was done online and, if I’m not mistaken, was free of charge.

 

– Briefly describe your expectations for the mobility program and whether they were fulfilled.

At first, I expected the mobility experience to offer a deeper immersion in the academic process and to provide new knowledge through lectures. Later, I realized that the most valuable learning happens outside the classroom — through communication with other students, discussions, and interaction with different cultures. 

Going on exchange, I wanted to step away from my familiar environment to better understand myself in a new setting. And that’s exactly what happened: when no one around you knows who you are, you get the chance to discover who you truly are. Another valuable aspect was the many events that brought in professionals from various fields. Engaging with them in informal settings helped me gain a clearer vision of what I want to pursue after completing my bachelor's degree and allowed me to start shaping my professional path. In addition, the mobility programme gave me the opportunity to experience life in another country — its social norms and traditions — which became an important step in my personal development. 

Traveling during the exchange opened new horizons and changed the way I perceive familiar things. When you travel, the boundaries of the familiar begin to shift — because you discover something new and uniquely yours in every place.

– What educational and cultural activities did you participate in during your mobility?

During my mobility, I took part in a variety of educational and cultural events organized by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). These included international cultural evenings dedicated to different countries, as well as activities introducing us to the history and culture of Lithuania. In addition, we organized informal gatherings with our friends and their acquaintances, where we invited them to try and help prepare Ukrainian dishes. This became a wonderful way to share cultures and make new connections.

I also joined many hiking trips organized by ESN together with other international students. On my own initiative, I found out about an event where investors listened to selected startups at the final stage and decided whether to fund them. This was one of the most interesting experiences for me, as it gave insight into how business works in real life — even though I didn’t make many contacts at that moment. 

Among the educational activities, what stood out most was a series of guest lectures from professionals across different fields, organized by the university. We were invited by our lecturer from the course Fundamentals of Financial Decisions. One lecture that left a deep impression on me was about cancer in women, as it highlighted important aspects of prevention and modern treatment methods. 

The university also regularly hosted events that brought together students from various countries, including International Students' Day, Science and Innovation Week, the cultural festival Discover Lithuania, Career and Internship Day, an evening of Lithuanian music and dance, a historical tour of Vilnius, student sports competitions, and even board game nights. Thanks to all of these, I was able to immerse myself more deeply in the local culture, find like-minded people, and gain an unforgettable experience.. 

 

– Share your most vivid impressions from the mobility program.

My mobility experience was filled with bright and unforgettable moments, most of which were not directly related to academics. However, there was one professor whose lectures left a lasting impact on me. After each of her classes, I felt like a different person. At the very first lecture, she asked me to stand on a chair — which was a total shock to me — but it was her way of showing how social norms can differ. We were discussing the perception of authority in education, and I explained that in the post-Soviet system it’s hard to imagine informal communication with a professor, let alone using inappropriate or informal language. But she showed us that in other countries, students often relate to professors very differently — for example, in France, students don’t automatically respect professors until that respect is earned through the learning process. Meanwhile, I was conditioned to listen and agree simply because someone is a qualified professor who "must know what they’re talking about." Another unforgettable experience was discovering Indian culture. Before this, I had never had close interactions with people from Asia, and I was deeply impressed by their culture. One particularly vivid memory was celebrating Diwali, which happened to coincide with Halloween. I was invited to a Mandir, a Hindu temple — even though I have no personal connection to this religion or culture. It was both unusual and fascinating to feel part of their community and to see other international students choosing to join the celebration of Diwali instead of the more familiar Halloween. I was also amazed by how open people were during the exchange — everyone was eager to connect because we had all come for a new experience. It was especially great that there were both bachelor’s and master’s students, so I received a lot of useful advice on choosing my specialization and finding internships. The university was very supportive of any student initiatives, which really encouraged me to stay active. One thing I particularly appreciated was learning new languages directly from other Erasmus students. That’s how I improved my Spanish and Chinese and learned more about other cultures and traditions in a very natural, personal way. What impressed me the most was the rhythm of life I discovered for myself — a perfect balance of studies, sports, social activities, dancing, and learning in two different universities. I truly fell in love with this pace, and I hope that as many students as possible will have the same opportunity I had.

 

– Would you like to participate in the mobility program again, and where would you go?

I would gladly participate in a mobility programme again — more than once, if I could. If I had the opportunity, I would go on exchange every year during both my bachelor's and master's studies, because the experience is truly priceless — both academically and in terms of interaction with other international students. 

Currently, I am on mobility at the Universidad de Jaén in Spain, and it turned out to be the perfect choice for continuing my Erasmus+ year. However, the place I would most like to go on exchange to is Linköping University in Sweden. Before this exchange, I hesitated for a long time between Spain and Sweden, and although I’m now enjoying my time in Spain, I’m still very interested in studying in Sweden in the future.

 

– Would you recommend participating in the mobility program?

Yes, I definitely recommend taking part in a mobility programme! It’s a great opportunity to gain new knowledge, meet people from all over the world, and broaden your horizons. Studying abroad helps you adapt to different teaching approaches and provides valuable hands-on experience. 

I would also like to highlight the administration, international office, and ESN team of the host university — they were very professional, always ready to help, and organized many exciting events for students. This made my mobility experience even more comfortable and fulfilling!