Living Vilnius with Erasmus+

Thanks to the Erasmus+Accreditation of Malignani Institute, nine students set off to discover Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

For some, it was their first trip far from home, for others, their first Erasmus. Despite initial uncertainties, the desire to explore a new country and culture was strong.

But how did their experience go?

The Destination

Vilnius is the most populous city in all of Lithuania, and walking through its streets feels like jumping between old and new worlds.

On one side, there’s the historic center, rich in monuments and characteristic churches; on the other, you see endless buildings, construction sites, and large shopping centers—signs of a city that continues to grow and evolve.

At first, the weather was freezing—so cold, in fact, that the students got to walk through snow-covered streets.

The Internship

Devin and Leonardo, students of mechanics, carried out their internships at a company specializing in the restoration of vintage cars.

Alessandro, an aeronautics student, worked at a company focused on the maintenance of landing gear and aircraft wheels. Under the supervision of local employees, his tasks included assembling and testing landing gear brakes from scratch. He also handled the assembly, painting, and inflation of various wheels, and inspected mechanical parts intended for wheel assembly.

Filippo, an IT student, completed his internship at a company that provides support to its clients through both phone consultations and on-site work. During his internship, he had the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of telecommunications.

Marco, Samuel, and Ilie, students of IT and electronics, worked at a company known for its robotics projects. They were also heavily involved in the electronics side, performing tasks closely related to their studies and working on projects that would support the company’s future goals.

Manuel and Enea, both construction students, worked at two different companies specializing in construction consultancy. Their main tasks included drafting reports based on construction site plans. Additionally, Manuel had the opportunity to take part in a site inspection at a wind farm.

Conclusions

The students had a very positive experience.

Alessandro shared:
“It was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much about my field and met amazing people. I feel lucky to have been part of this project.”

Devin told us:
“Erasmus is a life-changing experience. Living abroad opened my mind, helped me grow, and allowed us to form unforgettable bonds. The first days were a bit tough because everything was new, but soon it became an incredible experience. I discovered new cultures, learned a new language, and became more independent and less shy. When I came home, I felt different—stronger and full of memories. If you get the chance, go for it. It’s worth it!”

Filippo said:
“This experience was very eye-opening for me because it made me realize that there’s more out there than just your own country. We’re part of a much bigger community with different cultures and traditions, and I think that’s essential for growth. I’d recommend this experience to anyone because it helps you understand who you really are.”

Ilie shared:
“This experience was very valuable not just from a work perspective, but also for my personal growth. I recommend it to everyone—and I can’t wait to do something like this again.”

Leonardo said:
“I recommend this kind of experience to anyone who has the chance. I think it’s a milestone not only in my professional path but also on a personal level. I had the chance to grow professionally by applying what I learned, surrounded by amazing classmates and mentors.”

Marco told us:
“This was one of the best experiences of my life. It helped me grow so much in my field of study, improving my hands-on skills and connecting with people I’ll remember forever. We immersed ourselves in Lithuanian culture and took full advantage of everything the experience had to offer. I’d relive every single moment—day by day—and I recommend this adventure to everyone without hesitation.”

And finally, Samuel said:
“I think this experience was incredible. It helped me grow and learn new skills related to my field. I met new people and formed close friendships that I’ll truly miss. It also helped me understand and appreciate a different culture and lifestyle, teaching me to see things from a new perspective. Plus, I got to practice my English and improve it. I would recommend this to anyone—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I’ll carry with me forever.”