Travel Report: ERASMUS+ Week in Kaunas, Lithuania

“Reflecting on my Erasmus week in Lithuania, it was a fantastic experience filled with new adventures, valuable lessons, and wonderful friendships—memories I will always cherish.” (Sudenur Uygun, 7d) 

 

On Sunday, we met at Vienna Airport at 8 a.m. and arrived at Vilnius Airport at noon after a smooth flight. We then took a train to Kaunas, where our Lithuanian host families were already waiting for us. After that, we went to their homes, which would also be our home for the next five days. 

 

On Monday, we spent the morning getting to know the other participants, including the Lithuanian, Portuguese, and Czech exchange students. We played games, drank tea, and snacked on traditional Lithuanian sweets. In the afternoon, we took a guided tour of Kaunas. 

 

Tuesday started with a quiz about Europe, testing our knowledge. The winning group was the first to receive gift bags, with one person from each group collecting them—a nice gesture that rewarded teamwork. After the quiz, we got creative with crafts and painting, letting our imaginations run wild. In the afternoon, we explored the city with our hosts, enjoying our free time together. It was a perfect mix of learning, creativity, and fun, reinforcing the value of intercultural exchange.

 

 

Wednesday focused on sustainability. After discussing some basics, we applied our new knowledge by designing sustainable cities and building models of our ideas. Next, we delved into the world of fashion, creating clothing from recycled materials. The fashion show afterward was a lot of fun! After some free time in the afternoon, we met again in the evening and went bowling. 

 

Thursday began with compiling all the photos and videos from our stay in Kaunas into a final video project. Later, we played games—one where we had to balance on a newspaper that folded in half every round of the game and another, where we had to steal books from opposing teams. We then received our Erasmus certificates and ended the day with a few rounds of volleyball. 

On Friday, we said goodbye to our host families and went to the school, where a bus was waiting for us. We traveled to Vilnius, arriving in the morning. After an hour of free time, during which some of us got coffee while others bought food, we met our guide for a beautiful city tour. We visited important landmarks, including Vilnius Castle, which we reached using a unique funicular railway. It was a fun and memorable experience. 

After the guided tour, we had more free time to explore, buy souvenirs, and have dinner. Later in the evening, we returned to the hostel, where we spent time playing games, chatting, and relaxing before going to bed. 

 

At around 3 a.m., we woke up to pack and get ready for the journey home. Our return trip took us through Warsaw, Poland, before continuing to Vienna. The early morning flight provided a stunning sunrise view, making the trip even more memorable.