Ukrainian Kseniia Butenko, a third-year New Media Language student at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), has just returned from an exciting adventure. Through the Erasmus exchange programme, the last six months she was studying at the University of Aveiro in Portugal – a journey Kseniia describes as an Oscar-worthy movie experience.
Kseniia’s journey to use the Erasmus study exchange opportunity wasn’t easy. She reveals that at first, she hesitated: the decision to study abroad was challenging as she’s already an international student here in Lithuania. “I had to really think if I am ready to leave my second home and start everything from scratch somewhere abroad,” Kseniia remembers
Choosing Portugal for her Erasmus exchange was both spontaneous and coincidental. She previously visited the country and jokingly declared, “I can’t imagine living here,” but then she decided to make it her temporary home. Despite other options being available, she only listed the University of Aveiro on her application, calling it “the best decision of my life – maybe it was destiny!”
Fell in love with literature analysis
Studying at the University of Aveiro has been different to her experience at KTU. While her programme in Kaunas emphasises media’s creative and linguistic aspects, Aveiro’s curriculum leans towards the technological side of media studies. “It’s amazing to look at the same field from different angles,” Kseniia says.
One course in particular, Theory of English Literature, made an indelible impression. A lifelong literature enthusiast, Kseniia found herself diving deeper into the art of literary analysis, a pursuit she now considers as a potential career path.
“I’ve loved literature all my life. In Aveiro, I had an opportunity to try it, and I can say that I enjoyed it so much! Every piece of literature that we analysed opened so much for me, and I enjoyed every lecture we’ve had so far,” says the New Media Language student.
She also took advantage of free Portuguese language classes offered by the university, which helped her navigate daily life with ease, even though majority of the people in Portugal speak English fluently.
Having already adapted to Lithuania, Kseniia was well-prepared for cultural differences. Yet, Portugal’s warm and relaxed culture stood out. “Portuguese people are extremely warm and open! They are always smiling, and they talk a lot. Also, they are always relaxed. I’ve never seen a Portuguese person in a rush! They just take their time. In Ukraine, it is not like that,” she says, “I guess we need to learn something from Portuguese.”
Lithuania and Portugal – home away from home
However, Kseniia adds that in both her study places, everyone is very openminded, and she feels grateful for that. This openness allowed her to feel at home in both Lithuania and Portugal. “It was easy to find good people both in Kaunas and in Aveiro thanks to an amazing community!” she says.
Without setting specific expectations for her exchange, Kseniia lived each day as it came – and it paid off. “This experience was like a movie that deserves an Oscar,” states Kseniia boldly.
However, despite not knowing what exactly she’d like to do career-wise, Kseniia is confident about her professional future. “With KTU education and the Erasmus experience, I will for sure feel confident on the professional market. The only thing I need to do is to find my way out there!” she says with determination.
Her final words of encouragement for those who are hesitating: “GO FOR IT! Believe me, it will be the best time of your life!
Ready to embark on your study exchange journey? Find out all about the opportunities at the Go Abroad Fair, on February 11. More information here.
