If you meet a Ukrainian student who speaks Lithuanian at Utenos kolegija, don't be surprised.
From 12 September, the college started Lithuanian language and culture courses for students and teachers from Ukraine. The lecturers of the Utena UAS - Aurelija Pelenienė, Rima Žarskutė and Rūta Jurgelionienė are ready to help the participants from different study programmes to overcome linguistic, cultural and social differences. The course is attended by 12 students and 1 lecturer from Ukraine.
<p">Educational activities have already taken place to learn about the history and culture of Lithuania and the Utena region and to see the points of contact between Lithuania and Ukraine. The first education in the immediate environment - in the Museum of Regional History of Utena, in the streets of the old town. After a few language lessons, the Ukrainian students of the college, who had already learnt their first Lithuanian phrases, thanked us in Lithuanian - "Ačiū" - after the education at the V. Valiušis Ceramics Museum. And the museum's black ceramics and whistles from Ukraine smelled like home. <p">On a trip to Vilnius, the course participants learned about the tangible heritage of UNESCO. An educational tour of the historical centre of Vilnius, walking through the streets of the Old Town and visiting the Dawn Gate, the Unitas (Holy Trinity) Church and the Palace of the Grand Dukes, revealed the history of Lithuania, the traditions and everyday life of Lithuanians, and the links between Lithuanians and other nations. <p">The education in autumn Kaunas introduced the history of the GDL and allowed to admire the modernist architecture of Kaunas. The National M.K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art spoke of the symbolism in works of art, the authentic song of the Dzūkai people sounded live in the museum's premises, and the symphonic poem "The Sea" by M.K. Čiurlionis was a mood for reflection on human existence. <p">The whole programme covers 180 ac. hours. After completing the Lithuanian language training programme, they will be able to understand and use basic phrases related to the living environment, and will be able to communicate successfully in everyday situations about familiar things: to introduce oneself, tell about one's family, work, and immediate surroundings, to describe one's basic needs, to inquire about information, or to give information when asked. <p">The programme is funded by the Foundation for Educational Exchange Support. <p">
