Jhosua studying at Kaunas: “I wanted to feel what it means to watch NBA games here” | Lifetime

According to a press release issued by KTU, after graduating from school, Jhosua considered becoming a professional footballer, for a time even testing the life of a professional athlete: “I studied at a distance and played soccer, but it was all a bit different than I expected. “

Jhosua admits that this experience only increased the desire to try a normal student life. The decision to go study abroad and live in another country was made by an encouraging girlfriend who was studying in China. He decided to take on the challenge: leave the house for the first time and go live abroad. Jhosua’s younger brother decided to go together.

“It was not easy for parents,” admits Jhosua. – But it is very good that the brother is with me. Our relationship is really good. “

In Kaunas, you can feel what it means to watch NBA games

How did Jhosua choose Lithuania out of all European countries? The boy claims that he already knew a little about Lithuania, because he was still studying about our country at school.

“Also, Lithuania is famous for its basketball,” says Jhosua, adding that one of the most impressive experiences in Kaunas was watching the Kaunas “Žalgiris” team match live.

“It looked like he was watching an NBA game,” the guy admitted.

Educational institutions approve Lithuania as a country whose university diplomas are recognized in Ecuador. Also, according to Jhosua, the studios here offer excellent value for money.

“I was interested in the Vilnius and Kaunas universities, I wrote to everyone. KTU responded in a very friendly way, I enjoyed communicating with the university. Everything has been very easy since then: he explained what to do, what documents to send. It was just time to prepare for the trip, “recalls Jhosua.

Dreams of making a mark in Lithuania

The boy assures that although he chose a country to study when he chose it, it was a state with a high level of education, but he had another secret wish.

“I wanted it to be a place where there weren’t many Ecuadorians and it would be one of the first,” Jhosua smiles.

He, unlike his brother, chose to study in Lithuania inspired by ethnic goals.

“Many Ecuadorians study in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain or Poland. I wanted to choose a country that does not have many people from Latin America. I want to make a good impression on the people of Ecuador,” says the boy.

“I wanted it to be a place where there weren’t many Ecuadorians and it would be one of the first,” Jhosua smiles.

According to him, cultural exchange is the biggest advantage of studying in Lithuania.

“Having friends from all over the world is a wonderful feeling, and it is better to learn a foreign language from the locals,” says Jhosua.

It is true that he emphasizes that he had to adapt to Lithuanian culture and society, but that he helped to understand how different people are and to look at the world from a different perspective.

Changed engineering to public administration.

Jhosua admits that he prefers Europe to America, but is pleased that the chosen Public Administration degree program offers education at two universities, KTU and Central Florida. In Lithuania, this is the first dual study program between Lithuanian and American universities.

“The opportunity to go to the United States really adds charm to this degree program. Furthermore, studies at KTU provide a high level of education and open job opportunities in Europe ”, the student is convinced.

Although he initially thought of engineering studies, Jhosua laughs that things change very quickly in his life.

“After reviewing the description of my study program, I realized that this is a great opportunity. The teachers are very kind, they try to help and understand. We have many discussions during the conferences and I really like it: we discovered the point of view from the teacher, we express our opinion and discuss with our classmates, ”says a KTU student from Ecuador.

One of the best things he said is the opportunities Erasmus + offers: Jhosua plans to study a semester at the University of Prague. He also enjoys cultural diversity: “It is wonderful to meet so many people from other countries, even in a bedroom.”

Online vlogai – a valuable source of knowledge

For future Latin American students planning to come to Lithuania, Jhosua advises getting to know the local culture first. Before coming here, I not only read a lot about Lithuania, but also watched videos to find out what to expect.

“Lithuanians are said to be very beautiful, and generally people get a little cold when communicating. At first I thought so too, but first you have to talk to them, break the ice and then people become really friendly. Let’s say that older women at bus stops talk to me asking where I come from. It’s cute, I like it, “smiles Jhosua.

He points out that Lithuania is a really safe country.

“If you want to walk in Ecuador at night, you will have to be very careful and store your belongings. But here in Lithuania it is safe. And very calm, “says the boy.

Longing for Ecuadorian food and air

Jhosua comes from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, a city high in the mountains with frequent changes in air temperature. However, compared to Lithuania, the climate in the homeland, according to him, is wonderful. As well as the quality of the fruit, fish and meat.

“I went home on vacation and kept telling everyone that in Ecuador we live like paradise. I don’t think it’s possible to understand that until you leave home, but now I’m beginning to appreciate the quality of our local food, including the weather, ”says Jhosua.

Another thing, according to a guy who is very different from his home, is how people have fun. In his opinion, Lithuanians do not have good musical taste.

I went home on vacation and kept telling everyone that in Ecuador we live like paradise.

“The music you listen to is quite boring, they are generally techno or electronic rhythms. I like to dance, I prefer salsa or regeton, this style is common in Ecuadorian clubs, but not here,” says Jhosua.

Jhosua especially appreciates the fact that he can easily travel around Europe: Last summer a KTU student spent in Barcelona, ​​exploring the culture and enjoying listening to a slightly different Spanish accent.

For a young man whose first trip from his native country was a flight to the Lithuanian Embassy in Brazil, this is a great opportunity.

“In the future, I would like to study a master’s degree at a European university. After that, I would probably return to my country. Although I was able to play soccer and become a professional in Ecuador, the desire to work in international organizations and help people He was older. Now I would like to be a diplomat or work in international relations, “says Jhosua from Ecuador.

Having traveled and aged abroad, the man of today in his land sees things that could be done differently. According to him, public administration studies at KTU have opened his eyes to the variety of solutions that can be applied and the different options that can be applied in the future.