1. How did you find out about Erasmus+?
I learnt about the Erasmus+ from my class teacher while I was studying at the gymnasium. I was the one who encouraged and motivated me to participate in the exchange.
2. If you had to describe your experiences in 3 words, what would they be?
Life, adventures, and connections
3. Were there any concerns or challenges?
When preparing for my first exchange, I felt a mix of worry and excitement. However, curiosity and determination helped me overcome my fears. It all started in September 2021 when my class teacher suggested I participate in an exchange in Portugal. I was thrilled and agreed without even consulting my parents (luckily, they didn’t mind). Despite the six- hour flight from Vilnius to Portugal, all my fatigue disappeared as soon as I got off the plane. During the project, five students from my school participated. We were each placed with different host families to better understand their culture. However, we weren’t always apart. Together, we explored the Portuguese city of Braga and visited the school attended by the children of our host families. The only thing that scared me during the trip was that we wouldn’t be able to catch the plane flying to Portugal because of the time falling back to winter time.
4. Do you have any advice for future participants?
Packing can be surprisingly tricky—it’s hard to resist overpacking and filling your suitcase with unnecessary items. I’m someone who always ends up with a fully packed suitcase, even for short trips, only to realize I don’t use half of what I bring. Slowly but surely, I’ve been learning to downsize and travel with just a backpack.
5. Did you face any language difficulties?
In the projects, language wasn’t a barrier. Your level of English didn’t matter much. The environment was very tolerant, and everyone was supportive. For example, if I forgot a word, someone would help me out, and vice versa. English wasn’t a top priority for participating in these projects; we practiced and learned as we went along.
6. How were the activities? Could you share your insights about the program?
The program in most projects followed a similar structure. We’d start early in the morning with breakfast and energizing activities. Then, the main sessions would begin, focusing on the project’s topic. Each session lasted about 1.5 hours, with a 15-minute break before lunch, totaling about 3 hours.
After the morning session, we had a long lunch break—about 3 hours. During this time, we explored the country, enjoyed nature, visited towns with friends, went shopping, or simply rested. In the afternoon, we had another round of energizing games and one more activity session. The program typically ended around 9 p.m., after which the organizers arranged fun activities like bonfires or karaoke nights. Of course, participation in these evening activities was optional, so you could simply relax or socialize instead.
7. How did you find time for the projects?
I don’t have a strict routine at home; my days vary. The only time I follow a routine is when I’m working or attending school. Balancing the project with my studies wasn’t difficult since my school helped organize it. Any missed lessons were easy to catch up on, though it did take some time to get back into the rhythm with classmates.
I also participated in some projects during summer breaks, which made it even easier to manage my time. When you truly want to do something, you’ll find a way to make it work.
8. What was a memorable moment from the project?
One of the most unforgettable moments was driving along narrow roads to reach the “Good Jesus of the Mount” church near Braga, Portugal. Looking out the window, it felt like the bus might fall off the edge! The view from the church was breathtaking—you could see the entire city of Braga. It left a lasting impression on me.
9. Did anything strange or unexpected happen?
The most surprising thing for me during Erasmus+ was how open and friendly everyone was. People smiled more often, were eager to talk, and loved giving hugs. In Lithuania, it’s rare to say hello to a stranger on the street, so this felt very different. Another unexpected cultural difference was their strict meal schedule. For instance, breakfast lasted until 1 p.m., and at precisely 1 p.m., lunch would start.
10. What did you learn from the projects?
Participating in Erasmus+ projects inspired me to travel more and look for great deals when visiting new countries. Since my last Erasmus+ experience in 2022, I’ve visited four countries, and the desire to explore keeps growing.
11. What would you say to someone who hesitates to participate?
Don’t overthink it—just give it a try! Opportunities like this don’t come around often. It’s an adventure that teaches resilience, determination, and the satisfaction of reaching your goals.
12. What does participation in these projects mean to you?
For me, it’s been a significant part of my self-development journey. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of myself and feel more fulfilled as I’ve discovered new interests and aspects of who I am.
