Welcome to "My Language Learning Journey"! In this series, we’re excited to share stories from people who have experienced a mobility program in Lithuania. Through relaxed, informal chats, they’ll take us through their Erasmus+ adventures, language learning experiences, and fascinating insights about their host city.
Today, we’re featuring Thomas Alessi. Let’s dive in!
Labas, Thomas! Can you shortly introduce yourself?
Hi, I am Thomas. I’m Italian, 18 years old, and currently in a gap year. I just finished studying business administration, finance, and marketing in high school. And now I have a goal to learn languages and geopolitics.
At the moment, I’m doing an Erasmus internship in Vilnius, Lithuania, which is giving me the opportunity to learn languages. I’m learning Lithuanian, Spanish, and French, as well as practicing and improving my English skills.
Why is it important for you to learn languages?
For me, the importance of learning new languages isn’t about business opportunities; rather, it's about being able to communicate in the language of intimacy with different populations, allowing me to understand their culture, history, and customs in the best possible way.
That's why, coming here, I had the incredible opportunity to improve my Spanish—whose native speakers are among the most interesting people in Europe. Also, start learning French, whose native speakers are, again, some of the most fascinating people in the world.
Last but definitely not least, Lithuania has given me the chance to understand a completely different perspective from my own, thanks to the opportunity to speak with Lithuanians firsthand. As a Southern European, they helped me understand how cultures can develop in diverse ways based on their history.
Source: RealIsBeautifulStock.lt
Now, let’s talk about your mobility experience. Is this your first experience abroad?
This is my first experience abroad, and I’m staying here until the end of the three-month period that started on September 10, 2024.
My Erasmus experience has been lovely so far. The thing I have enjoyed most is meeting such incredible people from all around the world who, for many different reasons, all ended up here in Vilnius.
How is your mobility experience? Anything that surprises you? Anything you don't like?
What surprised me the most about this country is the way Lithuania has approached the Western world after the end of the USSR. The multiculturalism here, unlike in many other nations across Europe, hasn't made Lithuanians lose their national pride; instead, it seems to strengthen it, impressing upon those of us who are being hosted here.
However, there’s also a downside to this. The way Lithuanian culture has developed against collectivism—which was epitomized by the USSR—has certainly helped them recover the national pride that was repressed for almost a century. But for me, coming from a completely different background, it feels like this pride has been taken to an extreme, where even the most basic social cooperation is sometimes lost. When you're in a public place and have any kind of difficulty or accident, it seems that no one is willing to help or even care, due to the extreme individualism that has developed. This happened to me personally, and it was confirmed by many friends who come from similar backgrounds as mine.
That's an interesting approach, Thomas. Have you noticed any positive qualities in Lithuanian people?
I have noticed many positive qualities in Lithuanian people throughout my journey. One of the key differences I observed compared to much of Western Europe is their strong work ethic and determination. I also really appreciate how they approach different cultures—with genuine curiosity and a willingness to learn the best from everyone they meet.
Another outstanding quality I've seen is their resilience. This trait clearly has historical roots, but witnessing how they handle challenges—remaining calm, hopeful, and focused on finding solutions without being dramatic—is something I truly admire. They maintain an impressively optimistic outlook, which I find truly inspiring.
What advice would you give to someone preparing to go on mobility?
The main advice I would give to someone going on a mobility program is to be open-minded, determined, and extroverted. This is the only way you can fully experience everything and try to become the person you want to be, shedding the social constraints that may hold you back in your hometown.
The first challenge you must face is learning respect and self-respect. Respect is a basic requirement, without which you won't build any social relationships—since no one here knows your past or automatically cares about you. Self-respect is just as important because it allows you to become a determined person and freely say what you want to say, even in the face of the most overbearing people. For me, this has been crucial, helping me escape the trap of being a people-pleaser.
How does the mobility/volunteering/internship help you grow?
I wouldn't say there’s one specific way in which my internship has helped me grow. Rather, the internship has been a crucial part of exposing me to a new world. This exposure, which has stimulated me in so many different ways, has been the key factor in my personal growth.
The Lithuanian language is extremely challenging to learn, and I’m far from being able to have even a basic conversation. On the flip side, having to interact with so many foreigners and an incredibly well-educated population like the Lithuanians is helping me a lot with my English skills, which I had previously only practiced in academic settings—meaning not in the real world.
What do you think about the OLS platform? Do you think it is useful, and do you advise Erasmus students to use the community?
The OLS platform is definitely a really useful tool for starting to learn new languages. When combined with the opportunity to talk directly with native speakers, I believe it becomes a key tool for becoming a better language learner.
Thank you, Thomas, for sharing your experiences and insights. Your time in Vilnius sounds truly educational and eye-opening. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!