VMU Student on Her Book-Worthy Exchange Studies in Brussels

“When I was selecting a country for my Erasmus+ exchange studies, I really wanted to go to Spain or Portugal – because of their exceptional architecture, languages, and warm climate. However, I ended up going to Belgium, which was actually my third choice. After getting there, I realized that it was one of the best decisions of my life. I could probably write a book about how much I enjoyed it”, says Ugnė Karkazaitė, a Public Communication (BA) student at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). Last spring, as part of the Erasmus+ Programme, she studied at the Institute for Higher Social Communication Studies (IHECS) in Brussels.

Ugnė describes Brussels as a safe international city with no shortage of cultural activities and a vibrant nightlife. She was also impressed by Belgian cuisine. The student observes that Belgian culture is very diverse, particularly in Brussels, where the population includes people from many different parts of the world. Belgians are warm, pleasant, and peaceful – living up to the popular Lithuanian expression, “as calm as a Belgian”.

“I really loved the culture of the people in Brussels, they are much more open and warm. Public transportation is good: there’s the underground, trams, buses, and trains, so getting around is simple and convenient. I liked the active nightlife too: I’d heard that it was unsafe but I never felt that way at night – whether in the city centre or in other areas”, Ugnė assures, adding that Brussels offers a multitude of engaging activities both in central and more remote neighbourhoods.

A priceless experience: volunteering with the Red Cross

Sharing her impressions of the studies, Ugnė notes that she liked the informal, warm interactions that the IHECS teachers had with the students and their genuine efforts to teach new things. The courses were conducted in English and were well-adapted for international students. Aside from a truly cozy atmosphere, she also enjoyed many of the taught subjects, including Civic Engagement, which included a requirement to complete at least 30 hours of volunteering to help others.

“My friend and I decided to help the homeless and refugees; we volunteered at several organizations, including the Red Cross. At times, it was difficult and uncomfortable to talk to the homeless, but in the end, it was an invaluable experience. It taught me to appreciate what I have and to stop complaining about trivial things because some people would dream of having problems like mine”, Ugnė remarks, pointing out that the volunteers were a large crowd and this was a great opportunity to meet new people from many different backgrounds.

The VMU student particularly enjoyed the Audio Narratology course, during which students analysed various sounds from films, audiobooks, or other audio narratives – the teacher explained how these sounds are created and how they inject more life into a movie one is watching or a story one is listening to. At the end of the semester, working in groups, the students created their own narratives where everything had to be described using just sound. 

Brussels: a student-friendly city

The decision to spend four months studying in Brussels proved highly rewarding, the student confirms, explaining that the gained experience will be truly beneficial both in her further education as well as career development.

“I think that determination to travel as part of Erasmus+ may show the employer that this is a person who is not afraid of challenges. The lectures I had were truly relevant to me as future communication specialist: from digital marketing, where we learned about Google Ads, to audio narratology, which is important in social media content creation. Volunteering taught me how to interact with a variety of people. I also improved my foreign language skills significantly: not just English but French as well”, Ugnė Karkazaitė reveals.

The Belgian capital, she argues, is a great choice for students, thanks to the many benefits available to them. “The city is student-friendly: you can get many discounts in shops, cafés, and bars. Public transport and museum tickets are much cheaper for students too. Also, some organisations offer food at reduced prices or bring together international students so they don’t feel lonely”, the student explains.

Exchange studies abroad: a worthwhile decision

Vytautas Magnus University, often ranked as Lithuania’s most international university, provides students with exceptional opportunities to travel abroad for a few months or even a year, giving them a taste of studies or internships across the globe: from Argentina, Malaysia, and South Korea to the U.S., Italy, and Mauritius. Every year, hundreds of VMU students make use of the opportunity to visit one of the university’s many international partners.

Ugnė encourages students to try exchange studies abroad: it is truly a worthwhile decision. “Go, and don’t hesitate! In my opinion, it is one of the best things that a young person could experience. Erasmus+ not only gives you a chance to study at the world’s best universities but also helps you grow as a person”, Karkazaitė claims.

Discussing her future plans, Ugnė is currently focused on completing and defending her bachelor’s thesis. After that, however, she is considering continuing her studies in Belgium.

“In the summer, I’ll try to apply for Master’s studies in Brussels. Of course, before that, I’ll need to take care of various documents. That’s not so easy to do when you’re also working on your bachelor’s thesis. So I’m not talking much about my future plans just yet”, she smiles.