The VU Kaunas Faculty Student Benas Bernotavičius: Erasmus Exchange Studies Are an Invaluable Experience in International Marketing and Personal Growth
Benas Bernotavičius, a third-year student of the Marketing Technologies study programme at Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, has just returned from a six-month Erasmus Plus exchange programme at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic. According to him, it is not only an opportunity to learn from foreign professors and meet students from different cultures but also a great way to test one's knowledge and ability to adapt to a new environment and get out of one's comfort zone while staying close enough to Lithuania.
Benas says he chose Marketing Technology studies because of its broad opportunities for expert sales strategies and information technology knowledge. Although today he envisages his future in marketing, he does not rule out the possibility of working in IT, as this competence allows him to differentiate himself, respond flexibly to business needs, and quickly implement the latest technological solutions. At Kaunas Faculty, he is most pleased with the lecturers, who create a great atmosphere and engagingly present the material. The theoretical knowledge he gained at university also helps him in his chosen job – Benas has been working as a sales manager for 9 months.
“Marketing technology students benefit a lot from experiencing how marketing and IT solutions work in other countries, as well as finding out the needs and expectations of the public. This knowledge helps you to be more confident in your career choices, to understand yourself and what you want to achieve in life,” says the student who recently returned from an Erasmus programme.
Stories from family members encouraged to leave for the exchange programme
The student says he was interested in the Erasmus exchange programme because his family, friends and acquaintances shared their experiences. They are confident that such a choice enriches studies and broadens international contacts and cultural horizons. It allows you to get to know a foreign country and live independently, surrounded by strangers, making you even more courageous in choosing unknown things.
“After some deliberation, I decided to give it a try and see for myself how it is,” smiles Benas, who says it was easy to fill in the documents because the Erasmus coordinator always guided him.
“I am so glad I decided to go and try my hand at living abroad,” says Benas. He recommends making this decision in the second or third year of study. He says the first year is about settling in and getting to know the local community, while the second and third years can lead you abroad.
In the Czech Republic, he enjoyed a cross-cultural experience
B. Bernotavičius admits that the choice of country took some time and thought, but both the information on the Internet and his thoughts led him to Brno, Mendel University. The location, the European culture, and the opportunity to improve his English language skills were very appealing. In addition, several other Lithuanian friends also travelled there with the exchange programme.
"I got exactly what I expected: experiences, peers, a different approach, and different lessons," he says.
He was most impressed by the more relaxed academic culture and approach to science. Benas is convinced that he has learnt as much as he did in Lithuania, but in a completely different and, to some extent, easier way.
“Simply being in a different environment, interacting with various cultures daily, discovering commonalities and nurturing distinctions is what I am pleased about,” says Benas.
The student reveals that the strong sense of community is a pleasant surprise, as the university's size alone makes it a veritable cauldron of nations and cultures. You never feel alone – you can contact the people in charge, and there is an Erasmus Student Network (ESN) group where people are happy to help you in any way they can: with your studies, extra activities or even your home life.
He hopes to inspire other students to travel
“I think Erasmus is worth going to mostly for the friendships and experiences with people from other cultures. Getting out of your routine and comfort zone and integrating into a new environment broadens your horizons,” says Benas firmly.
The student believes that this experience cannot be compared to a holiday or a work assignment abroad.
B. Bernotavičius recommends the Czech Republic because of its geographical location, which is close to Lithuania but makes it easy to get to know its neighbours – Poland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia.