KTU has 20+ years of experience in welcoming international students. We are proud of our Welcome Week, Mentorship programme, Study@KTU Ambassadors.
KTU has 20+ years of experience in welcoming international students. We are proud of our Welcome Week, Mentorship programme, Study@KTU Ambassadors.
Autumn 2017-2018 |
||
| Process | Start | End |
| Welcome Week | 24-08-2017 | 01-09-2017 |
| Lecture period | 04-09-2017 | 23-12-2017 |
| Winter holidays | 23-12-2017 | 01-01-2018 |
| Exams session | 02-01-2018 | 31-01-2018 |
First things first: Before you leave
Studying abroad is both educational and personal experience for the ones seeking new challenges. This guide explains what you can expect in Lithuania, helps you to pack your luggage and gives important information that you should know before leaving.
Studies+: Academic issues and student life
Kaunas University of Technology is your University, even if you came here for a few weeks! Learn how the lectures are organised, what the academic calendar is and how your work will be assessed. Do not miss the opportunity to make sports, sing or dance, join student organisations and take full advantage of your time at KTU.
Life from A to Z: Get integrated into Lithuania
It is necessary to know what is going on around you and where you can find the things you were used to in your home country. This guide gives you the first insights and useful links about life in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Map: Kaunas city and KTU campus
This guide helps you to know the Department for Internationalisation and International coordinators in the faculties, also it will help you not to get lost in the student campus of Kaunas University of Technology.
KTU offers dormitories for the students but it is up to you to choose whether to live here or search for a private accommodation and rent a flat.
Moving away, possibly for the first time, might feel daunting. Do not worry, we will make sure that wherever you choose to live it will soon feel like home. At KTU you will make friends with your new neighbours, cover your walls with photos and create memories that will stay with you forever.
KTU campus is located in a convenient area relatively close to the city centre and thanks to the well-developed transport network, all the other areas of the city are within a reach.
In total KTU has 12 dormitories where all undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students are accommodated. From 2013, dormitory No. 5 is announced an International Residence. Moreover, international students also live in dormitories No. 2, No. 8 and No. 10.
All rooms (single and shared) are equipped with all the necessary furniture for life and studies: a bed, a chair, a desk and a wardrobe. Bedding is also provided for international students. There is a kitchen with a cooker, a hob, fridge with a freezer and an area for preparing meal. So you will be able to have lovely breakfasts, lunches or dinners all together with your neighbours. All the residents of the dormitories have access to the internet. Also, free laundry and drying facilities are available on the site.
Monthly rent rates vary depending on the room type from €50 to €140. The fee is fixed and paid monthly until the 25th day of the month. All the residents, who move into a dormitory after the 15th of the month or move out of a dormitory before the 15th of the month, pay half of a monthly accommodation fee.
Dormitory group address:
Dormitory No. 10, Gričiupio g. 13, Kaunas
+370 696 733277
dormitory@ktu.lt
If you prefer to have more space or to live in a certain area of Kaunas or have other reasons, you may choose renting a flat.
KTU International Studies Office (ISO) does not intermediate in finding the flat or dealing with the landlord.
Rental prices vary depending on the number of rooms, location, living conditions, period of rent, etc. Average rent prices are from 150 EUR to 400 EUR per month for a flat (1-3 rooms).
The rent is usually paid 3-6 months in advance, so you must have some money ready before arriving. Make sure that your landlord agrees for you to declare your living place in the municipality institutions otherwise you may have problems when applying or receiving temporary residence permit (TRP).
Offers of private rent online (usually in Lithuanian language)
Make sure that you get health insurance or have European Health Insurance Card for your stay in Lithuania. If you have special medical prescription, do not forget to take them with you.
Please acquire an adequate health/travel insurance for studies at KTU. Citizens of EU/EEA countries simply need to obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the social security authorities in their home country. Holders of EHIC cards are entitled to the same benefits provided by the Lithuanian Insurance Institution as Lithuanian citizens. Private insurance for acute illnesses and accidents is highly recommended.
Students from non-EU countries may obtain their health insurance either in their country or in Lithuania.
It costs approximately 115 EUR per year if you purchase it in Lithuania.
Students from non-EU countries applying for the temporary residence permit in Lithuania have to prove to the migration office that they have a valid health insurance.
If you have to visit the hospital in the emergency case, go directly to the Emergency office, usually indicated in Lithuanian: PRIĖMIMO SKYRIUS.
If you need to call an ambulance, dial 112 – Emergency Number. There are no charges for ambulance transport in case of emergency.
KTU has an agreement with one family clinic, which provides medical services for KTU students:
Savanorių pr. 169, Kaunas
Registry phone +370 37 202882 (both receptionists speak English)
Working hours I– V 8:00 – 19:00
Before going to the clinic please always make an appointment by phone.
Do not forget to take your passport and insurance (private one or European Health Insurance Card), when going to the clinic. Doctors: Kristina Borkienė and Lina Oliandrienė
Living abroad you have to cope with new culture, people and new habits, so sometimes you can feel lonely and homesick. But remember that you can contact your teachers or study advisors and talk about your personal problems, but do not hesitate to get professional help as well. They can help you to solve learning problems, personal, emotional and daily life difficulties.
Psychologist Rūta Kavaliauskaitė
Studentų g. 63A-207
Consultation hours
I-IV 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
V 8:00 AM-3:45 PM
There are two types of student cards:
ISIC is internationally recognised proof of student status issued in over 130 countries. The card allows you to prove your student status worldwide as well as gain access to discounts and benefits in over 125,000 locations. ISIC is also accepted by various Lithuanian institutions.
How to order ISIC?
a) If you come for exchange studies, you can get ISIC at your home country.
Note: Some places may not accept non-European ISIC as a valid student document.
b) Order ISIC at either Zigzag Travel (E. Ožeškienės g. 27), Megaturas (Islandijos pl. 32), ZIP Travel (Kęstučio g. 57-1) or Pasaulio lietuvių centas (S. Daukanto g. 11). After going to one of these places, an ISIC card can be made in several minutes.
Note: Megaturas, ZIP Travel and Pasaulio lietuvių centas may ask you for a document confirming your status as a student which can be issued at your faculty.
ISIC card is valid for 9 – 16 months depending on your study cycle and the time, when you have ordered it.
The price of ISIC:
LSP is a document that proves your student status in Lithuania. With this document you will have the right to use KTU libraries and equipment as well as to take your exams. LSP will provide you with discounts for public transport, internet access, copying and other facilities. It’s your document for studies and leisure.
How to order LSP?
Go to https://lsp.lt/en (choose English language if it’s Lithuanian by default), click on “Register”, enter requested information very carefully and follow the directions. If you need a confirmation that you are a student of KTU, go to your faculty and ask to issue a document confirming your student status.
When your status in the section “LSP form assigned department” is “LSP form was accepted”, choose a branch of Swedbank where you’ll bring your LSP form, indicate the day and the time of the appointment, print your form (2 copies) and the bank receipt. Fill in the indicated form, glue on your recent photo on it and go to the branch that you have indicated and pay for LSP.
The price of LSP
The price of a new LSP varies from 4.50 EUR to 12 EUR (+ bank taxes).
The price depends on the duration of your studies and your study cycle.
ISIC vs. LSP
Since we do not want you to feel lost at the beginning of your study period (and of course during the studies), University and ESN KTU will assign you a mentor. The main aim of this is to create couples, consisting of a new incoming student and a mentor. Mentor is usually a Lithuanian or an international student who already knows KTU ant Kaunas very well and is able to help you.
A mentor contacts new students before their arrival, advise them about what they should pack in their luggage, answers the questions regarding all the matters starting from weather condition in Lithuania to places for leisure in Kaunas. Then, a mentor usually picks up new students upon their arrival to the city or during their first days here, takes them to the dormitory and helps them to arrange all the formalities and do the registration. From there, everything is up to you – a mentor is your first friend here, so you can hang out together, spend your free time discovering new places in Kaunas, travel, party and study together, arrange collective dinners to increase the cultural knowledge, etc. Even if the things with your mentor are not going according to the original plan, you can be sure that you will always have a person whom you can contact in case of an emergency or when you’re having some questions.
There are 5 main means to reach Kaunas: by plane, by bus, by train, by ferry and by car. Some options may lead you to Vilnius which sometimes is more convenient for the arrival by plane. Do not worry, Vilnius is just 100 km away from Kaunas, just follow the directions below.
If you use public transport, destination in Kaunas is Kaunas Bus Station (Kauno autobusų stotis) or Kaunas Train station (Kauno geležinkelio stotis). They are situated next to each other and close to the city centre. Read how to Reach Dormitory for directions from both of the Stations.
Lithuania has three international airports in Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga (close to Klaipėda, the seaport), which can be reached from the main European cities as well as from all over the world. Some of you can choose arriving to Riga, Latvia, and then taking a bus to Kaunas. There is a number of possibilities at every airport to use ATM machines, to exchange money, rent a car and use a corner shop where you can buy phone cards, bus tickets, snacks and drinks.
Kaunas International Airport. Kaunas Airport is situated in Karmėlava, only 14 km away from Kaunas. -> www.kaunas-airport.lt
You can reach Kaunas Bus or Train Station easily:
BY BUS.
BY TAXI.
Vilnius International Airport. Vilnius Airport is the main international airport in Lithuania with permanent luggage storage, currency exchange at the arrival hall, cafes and 2 airport hotels nearby. -> www.vilnius-airport.lt
You can go to Kaunas by regular bus or by train.
FROM VILNIUS AIRPORT TO KAUNAS.
Therefore, you need to reach Vilnius Bus Station or Vilnius Train Station which are situated next to each other.
BY BUS.
BY TRAIN.
BY TAXI.
Once you are at Vilnius Bus Station or Vilnius Train Station, you may reach Kaunas within 1 hour 30 minutes.
FROM BUS STATION.
FROM TRAIN STATION.
Palanga International Airport. Palanga International Airport is situated 25 km away from Klaipėda. You can take a bus or taxi to Klaipėda Bus Station (30 min, at the price of about 26 EUR) and then reach Kaunas by bus. ->www.palanga-airport.lt
Riga International Airport (Latvia). Although Riga Airport is in another country (Latvia), it is only ~260 km from Kaunas. Thus, sometimes it is faster to fly to Riga and to reach Kaunas by bus than to wait for a transfer flight. First of all, you need to go to Riga Bus Station.
FROM RIGA TO KAUNAS – BY BUS.
Latvia and Lithuania are the members of the Schengen Area, so you do not need any extra visas.
If you live in one of neighbouring countries, you can take a bus: it is quite popular and convenient. You may choose between some of the popular international lines, such as Eurolines, Ecolines, etc.
Kaunas Bus Station -> www.autobusubilietai.lt, www.kautra.lt
Vilnius Bus Station ->www.autobusustotis.lt, www.toks.lt
Eurolines Baltic International -> www.eurolines-lithuania.lt, www.eurolines.lt
Ecolines -> www.ecolines.net
Although, trains are very popular in most of the European countries, the railway network in Lithuania is not much developed. However, there are several international railways passing through Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai, Klaipėda and Panevėžys. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices in railway stations, which are open 24 hours. ->www.litrail.lt
In Lithuania the connections in motor highway are very good between the main cities: from Vilnius (E85/A1), from Riga (Latvia) (E67/A1) or from Warsaw (Poland) (E67/A5).
K. Donelaičio g. 73, room 104
LT-44349 Kaunas
+370 35 300 036
international@ktu.lt
Welcome Week gives you a good opportunity to obtain information about KTU and Lithuania. It is also the best time to meet other students who are starting their studies here.
Dear KTU flight member,
We proudly invite you to be a part of the first adventure in your University!
Participate in introductory lectures, get the knowledge about study processes and University‘s life, join student organizations, participate in various activities, meet your colleagues and make new friends!
We will make sure that the first University experience will be unforgettable.
Enjoy your flight!
| 12:00-17:00 |
Check-in (Registration) |
KTU Santaka Valley (K. Baršausko g. 59) |
| 12:00-17:00 |
VIP boarding (Activities with ESN KTU and other organisations) |
KTU Santaka Valley (K. Baršausko g. 59) |
| 18:00 |
VIP boarding (Reception) |
KTU Santaka Valley (K. Baršausko g. 59) |
| 10:00-17:00 |
Check-in (Registration) |
KTU Santaka Valley (K. Baršausko g. 59) |
| 10:00-18:00 |
Flight instructions (Introductory lectures) |
KTU Santaka Valley (K. Baršausko g. 59) |
| 18:00 |
VIP boarding (Cultural afternoon) |
KTU Santaka Valley (K. Baršausko g. 59) |
| 10:00 |
Flight directions* (Excursion to Vilnius and Trakai) |
Departure: KTU Dorm no. 3 (Studentų g. 69) |
* Registration in advance
| 13:00 |
VIP boarding (Picnic) |
Nemunas Island (outside Žalgiris arena, Karaliaus Mindaugo per. 50) |
| 9:00-12:00 |
Flight instructions (Introductory lectures) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 13:00-17:00 |
Flight directions (Excursions) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 17:00 |
Your flight crew (Meeting Faculty‘s student unions) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 9:00-12:00 |
Flight instructions (Introductory lectures) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 12:00-16:00 |
VIP boarding (Student organization‘s fair) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 9:00-12:00 |
Flight instructions (Introductory lectures) |
KTU Student Campus |
|
VIP boarding (Sports day) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 9:00-12:00 |
Flight directions (KTU Library excursion) |
KTU Library (K. Donelaičio g. 20) |
| 12:00-14:00 |
VIP boarding (Mindfight) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 12:00-16:00 |
VIP boarding (Treasure hunt) |
KTU Student Campus |
| 16:00-20:00 |
VIP boarding (Picnic) |
KTU Student Leisure Center (Studentų g. 69) |
| 12:00 |
Holy Mass (Lithuanian language) or Free time |
Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul (Vilniaus Str. 1) |
| 14:00 | KTU Celebration of the New Academic Year (simultaneously translation into English language) | Žalgiris Arena (Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 50) |
| 12:00-17:00 |
VIP boarding (City rally) |
KTU Central administration building (K. Donelaičio g. 73) |
Are you wondering what to expect from Welcome Week? Take a look at feedback and photos from previous events.
Welcome Week kicked off at KTU during 24 August – 2 September 2017. Students from all around the world gathered together for the adventure in the university. With lots of creative and fun activities, KTU has a unique way to welcome international students – they are participating in introductory lectures, signing up for student organizations and making friends with fellow students, as well as taking part in various games, sport activities, movie night, picnic or orientation around the campus.
The university received nearly a thousand applications for admission this year. The university is growing and expanding geographically – students from different continents and distant countries such as South Korea, Mexico or Brazil are joining KTU this year.
It’s been almost a week since I arrived and I love it. Couple of my friends, who are students at KTU, recommended the university and the country, so I decided to apply and – luckily for me – I also received a scholarship. Lithuania is a growing European Union country, so there are a lot of opportunities. I’m also planning to participate in Erasmus+ internship programme in order to gain international work experience. People I met in Kaunas so far are very kind and helpful and it’s also a big plus.
– Hasan from Azerbaijan
The Welcome Week for international students this spring was held from 30th January to 5th February 2017 and it has passed by in a blink of an eye. It was filled with exciting introductory activities, some paperwork, new sights, new beginnings, and the joy which, hopefully, will be long lasting.
The week started by letting newcomers register and formalise their arrival, introduce themselves to each other, to Erasmus Student Network (ESN) KTU, and to the Department for Internationalisation. Shy faces, eyes asking: “Is it always this cold?”, and an evident uneasiness of being in an unknown environment gradually faded away. As they got a chance to say “Hi”, to play some introductory games, and to be officially welcomed to the university, the strangers became friends.
The second day was marked by numerous presentations given by representatives of University and various organisations. New students learned some things about the country and its culture, and about what to expect. The day was wrapped up with the surprise from Nemunas art club, where students learned some traditional games and dances and were fuelled with good mood to last the whole semester.
During the next days the new students were introduced to all the practicalities, important for student life to run smoothly. The seriousness was balanced by the fun movie night, campus tour full of fun tasks and, finally, by the Welcome Party. The week ended by a bus trip to Vilnius and the old Lithuanian capital city Trakai. Students from many countries of the world were happy to see what Lithuania looks like beyond Kaunas and, surely, it will not be their last trip outside the city.
“I came to Lithuania because my grandfather is Lithuanian and I wanted to experience this country, which in some ways is a part of me and my family tree. One of my goals while I’m here is to learn the basics of Lithuanian language”.
Liene Bakāne from Latvia
Each and every student has their own intentions for coming to Lithuania: finding new friends, visiting a new country, or, like Jan Balek from Czech Republic, finding an internship and get involved in teaching at a local school.
Welcome Week is just a start for the exciting study journey. Hopefully, all 200 students who joined KTU this spring, will find this journey fulfilling and an enriching, both academically and personally.
Welcome Week for international students arriving to KTU was held from 26th August to 4th September 2017. Full week of events ranging from city and campus tours to lectures on Lithuanian culture and University life will provide a fresh start to the new members of our international community.
Lectures, discussions, tours to Vilnius and to the old capital of Lithuania, Trakai, picnic and even a flash mob were among the highlights of the 10-day greeting event. The organisers, KTU Department of International Relations, with the help of volunteers aimed to make the start of the new academic year for the international “freshers” as smooth as possible.
Around 130 degree and around 160 exchange students started their studies at KTU this autumn. We are happy to welcome students from the countries where our university has been popular for several years now (Italy, Turkey, Germany, India and Azerbaijan), and are greeting the students from South Korea, Malaysia, Sweden. Young people from Venezuela, Nepal and the United States are among the degree students joining KTU student community this year.