DON@ Project: Fostering Community and Reciprocal Help Among International Students
During the Orientation Days on January 26th, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) hosted the traditional “Sharing is Caring” event, where newcomer international students found many useful items for their everyday life and studies in Kaunas for the Spring semester.
Throughout December and January, a previous cohort of exchange students and graduates left new or gently used essential items for a new generation of students. The event featured kitchenware, electronics, books, sports equipment, hobby materials, stationery, cleaning tools, umbrellas, mirrors, hangers, etc.
This edition of the “Sharing is Caring” event successfully brought together over 50 new international full-time and exchange students, fostering a culture of sharing that enhanced their sense of community and helped them to cut down on their expenses. In the friendly atmosphere, students enjoyed socializing and refreshing drinks.
A real highlight of the event became a lottery. Every participant who registered for the event received a unique number, and winners were selected via a random number generator. Some students were fortunate to win items such as a lamp, kettle, playing cards, drying rack for clothes, water filter, and tripod.
The initiative is being implemented within DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers. The project’s key objective is to facilitate the integration and improvement of living conditions of students with fewer opportunities by promoting mutual support, inclusion, and sustainable development.
The project involves the creation of a digital platform for exchanging and donating items, organizing events, and disseminating guides that assist in implementing similar projects at other higher education institutions and their partners.
Read more about the DON@ project:
The “Sharing is caring” event in August 2023: video and article
A transnational meeting in Valencia, Spain – Platform for Items Exchange Will be Launched Within DON@ Project
A transnational meeting in Athens, Greece – The Culture of Sharing: “DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers”
A transnational meeting in Kaunas, Lithuania – Work in progress: “DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers”
What VMU students think about this initiative – New Project for Students: “DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers”
VMU dormitory No. 2 “Baltija” hosted the “Carry the love” initiative
On 28-29 January, The Fellowship of Lithuanian Christian Students, together with other youth and student organisations, organised the event “Carry the love”. During the days of the event, LKSB also carried out an initiative during which it visited foreign students living in VMU dormitory No. 2 “Baltija”. The aim of the visit was to build a closer relationship with the foreign students, to ask them if they feel lonely or stressed during their studies, and to find out about the joys and challenges of studying in Lithuania for foreign students. The initiative attracted international students who shared their experiences, interacted with each other and with LKSB members.
Room checks in dormitories
On January 29th, 30th, 31st and on February 1st, 2nd randomly selected rooms of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) dormitory residents will be inspected.
January 29th 12:00:
- Dormitory No. 4 (Studentų str. 1, Akademija, Kaunas district)
January 30th 12:00
- Dormitory No. 5 (Universiteto str. 8, Akademija, Kaunas district)
January 30th 12:00:
- Dormitory No. 8 (Studentų str. 5, Akademija, Kaunas district)
January 31st 12:00:
- Dormitory No. 10 (Studentų str. 7, Akademija, Kaunas district)
January 31st 12:00:
- Dormitory No. 7 (Universiteto str. 6, Akademija, Kaunas district)
February 1st 12:00:
- Dormitory No. 2 “Baltija” (Vytauto pr. 71, Kaunas)
February 2nd 13:00:
- Dormitory No. 1 “Taika” (Taikos pr. 119, Kaunas)
February 2nd 14:00:
- Dormitory No. 6 (A. Vivulskio str. 36, Vilnius)
Please note that those who fail to comply with the terms of the Agreement for Accommodation or who violate the Internal Rules of the Dormitories of Vytautas Magnus University are liable to pay the following fees, subject to disciplinary measures:
- 10 euros if a reprimand is issued;
- 15 euros if a warning is issued;
- 20 euros if a severe warning is issued.
Christmas party in VMU dormitory No. 2
The excitement of the most beautiful holidays filled the air for students in the VMU dormitories. The dormitory council set up a fun Christmas party at Dormitory No. 2 “Baltija.” Getting ready for Christmas, Dorm No. 2’s residents, VMU students, gathered for tasty Christmas snacks and enjoyed the classic Christmas movie “Home Alone”.
Instead of swapping gifts, VMU students celebrated the special holiday with smiles and time spent together.
Get ready: the “Sharing is Caring” Event is coming back!
We invite newcomers to join the “Sharing is Caring” event, where new students can discover various essential items to establish themselves successfully and transform their new living space into a second home.
For whom this event:
- new exchange students
- the first year full-time international students
Where: VMU dormitory No. 2, (Baltija), Vytauto pr. 71, 44321, Kaunas
When: Friday, January 26, from 15.00 to 17.00
Registration: https://bit.ly/48mEBrE
What makes it worthwhile to attend?
- Join a culture of sharing and cut down on expenses!
- Discover all essential and comfortable items for your life in Kaunas for free (gently used or new)
- Connect with fellow exchange and full-time students and make new friendship
- Contribute to reducing waste and lowering CO2 levels.
- Treat yourself to refreshment drinks
Watch the video to see how it went last time or read the article
Please register here, it takes one minute: https://bit.ly/48mEBrE
There are some categories of things you may find at the event:
- Kitchen stuff (from cup to the grater, etc.)
- Electronics (kettle, table lamps, etc.)
- Study and leisure time items (sports equipment, hobby stuff, stationery such as notebooks, paper, pens, holders, etc.)
- Household items (cleaning tools such as mops, brooms, washing powder; storage containers or boxes, buckets, mirrors, hangers for clothes)
Agenda:
- swapping things and enjoying your social time with others
- lottery for unique things
- photo shooting
- enjoying souvenirs and drinks
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the organizers: ganna.tron@vdu.lt or yuliia.matiiuk@vdu.lt.
About DON@. The initiative is being implemented within DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers. The project’s key objective is to facilitate the integration and improvement of living conditions of students with fewer opportunities by promoting mutual support, inclusion, and sustainable development. Read more about the DON@ project:
Our first event: video and DON@: International Students Embrace “Sharing is Caring” Event
Collection Days are coming back: share items you no longer need with newcomers!
A transnational meeting in Valencia, Spain – Platform for Items Exchange Will be Launched Within DON@ Project
A transnational meeting in Athens, Greece – The Culture of Sharing: “DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers”
A transnational meeting in Kaunas, Lithuania – Work in progress: “DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers”
What VMU students think about this initiative – New Project for Students: “DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers”
Collection Days are coming back: share items you no longer need with newcomers!
At the end of every semester, we invite all VMU students to donate unneeded items, sharing them with exchange or full-time students arriving in February.
The initiative is being implemented within DON@ – Donation Opportunities for Newcomers.
The project’s key objective is to facilitate the integration and improvement of living conditions of students with fewer opportunities by promoting mutual support, inclusion, and sustainable development.
All VMU students are invited to bring items they no longer need to the lobby of the dormitory “Baltija” (Vytauto pr. 71, 43221 Kaunas) on the following dates and times:
- December 19, Tuesday: 09:30 – 11:30, 15:00 – 17:00
- December 20, Wednesday: 09:30 – 11:30, 15:00 – 17:00
- December 21, Thursday: 09:30 – 11:30, 15:00 – 17:00
Akademija:
- December 20, Wednesday: 15:00 – 17:00, lobby, VMU dormitory No. 5, Universiteto str. 8, 53345 Akademija
We kindly ask you to bring items during the specified times and days. However, we understand that life happens, and you might depart from Kaunas earlier or later. In this case, we offer the following options:
- for “Baltija” residents: please leave your items in the lobby box. We will check the box daily and transfer the items to storage
- for those outside of “Baltija”: kindly leave your items at the reception and inform the administrator that it’s for the DON@ project
- for Akademija residence: the box in the reading room on the 3rd floor is designated for items you wish to donate
There are only three main requirements:
- bring clean and gently used items
- bring items according to the specified categories
- bring your stuff to the appointed place and time in bags
We accept the following categories of things:
- Kitchen stuff (pans or pots – induction cookware, plates, blenders, cups, knives, cutlery, dishes, kettle, dishware, etc.)
- Electronics (USBs, fan, table lamps, iron, etc.)
- Study and leisure time stuff (umbrella, backpacks, bags, books, sports equipment, hobby stuff for handmade, stationery such as notebooks, paper, pens, holders, etc.)
- Household items (cleaning tools such as mops, brooms, washing powder; storage containers or boxes, buckets, mirrors, hangers for clothes; decoration such as candles, flashlights, photo frames, etc.)
All donated items will be stored in designated rooms in the VMU dormitories until the end of January. Before the new semester begins, we will host a Donation Day to distribute these items among incoming students. Take a look at how it was done previously: DON@: International Students Embrace “Sharing is Caring” Event.
Note! We do not accept the following items for storage: clothes and footwear, bedding, food products, ingredients, and medicine. If you reside in Baltija, you can leave bedding, clothes, and footwear in the lobby. However, please be aware that we will not store these items for students but will donate them to Caritas. If you do not live in the dormitories, kindly refrain from bringing the abovementioned items. Instead, consider donating them directly to homeless individuals at Partizanu str. 5, Kaunas (Ateik-Caritas). The entrance is located at the back of the building, open Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:30.
Who can donate items?
All VMU students, whether residing in a dormitory or elsewhere.
How frequently will such events take place?
These Collection Days will be organized according to the abovementioned schedule. If needed, we will host additional collection events in January. You will be informed about the upcoming events later.
Travel home light and contribute to sharing culture!
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us: at ganna.tron@vdu.lt and yuliia.matiiuk@vdu.lt
Application for Accommodation for New International Students will start on December 15, 2023
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) announces that applications for accommodation in VMU dormitories for new international students of VMU will be accepted from 15 December, 2023.
Please note, that this application will be open only for new (first semester) incoming full-time, Erasmus+, Bilateral, or other international exchange students of Vytautas Magnus University, for their accommodation in the Spring semester, 2024. Other, higher year students, who are currently not living in the dormitories of VMU, or residents who wish to change their current room, would be allowed to reserve one of the available rooms only after January 20, 2024.
IMPORTANT: the application is open only for students, who have already signed their Learning Agreements (Erasmus+, Bilateral Exchange, or Visiting Students) and Agreement of Studies (full-time Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students) (for more information about signing it, please contact International Cooperation Department).
To reserve a place of residence in one of the dormitories of VMU, all new incoming first-year international students must follow this procedure:
NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF VMU ACCOMMODATION IN VMU DORMITORY PROCEDURE
NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF VMU ACCOMMODATION IN OTHER HOUSING PLACES POSSIBILITIES
FOR NON-VMU STUDENTS
For more information please contact:
Student Centre (Student Affairs Department)
- Phone +370 37 751 175
- E-mail studentas@vdu.lt
- Address K. Donelaičio str. 52-111, Kaunas
Room checks in dormitories
On October 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th, randomly selected rooms of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) dormitory residents will be inspected.
October 17th
October 18th
October 19th
October 20th
11:00 a.m.: Dormitory No. 1 “Taika” (Taikos pr. 119, Kaunas), Dormitory No. 2 “Baltija” (Vytauto pr. 71, Kaunas) and Dormitory No. 7 (Universiteto str. 6, Akademija, Kaunas district)
Residents, who have failed to meet the conditions laid down in the Agreement for Accommodation or who have violated the Internal Rules of the Dormitories of Vytautas Magnus University and who have been subject to disciplinary action:
- 10 euros if a reprimand is issued;
- 15 euros if a warning is issued;
- 20 euros if a severe warning.
There is no possibility to reserve a vacant resident place in VMU dorms for non-VMU students
Please be informed that due to the high demand of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) students for accommodation in VMU dormitories in Kaunas, Akademija (Kaunas district) and Vilnius, from 1 October 2023 it will not be possible to reserve a vacant resident place for non-VMU students. All reservations will be cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience.
For more information please contact:
Stand for Election to the VMU Dormitory ‘s Council
Vytautas Magnus University has announced the election to the dormitory Council, which is organised in accordance with VMU Dormitory Self-government regulations.
If you are living in VMU dormitory No. 2 Vytauto pr. 71 (“Baltija”), Kaunas or No. 6 A. Vivulskio str. 36, Vilnius or No. 5 Universiteto str. 8, Akademija, Kaunas dstr. and you are interested in becoming the Chairperson of the Dormitory‘s Council then all you need to do is to fill out this electronic application by the 1st of October (until 11:00 p.m.) 2023 and comply with the following criteria:
- you have to study at Vytautas Magnus University
- you have to be motivated
- you have to make a one-year activities plan for the Council
- you have to have experience in social activities
- you have to have experience of living in the dormitory
- you cannot have penalties for infringements of the University’s internal legal acts
After becoming a chairperson, student will be exempted from paying dormitory accommodation fees for academic year (starting at October) 2023/2024.
The Chairperson of the Dormitory Council is elected in three stages:
I stage – candidate applies for this position, by filling this questionnaire until October 1st (until 11:00 p.m.) 2023. The selected candidates will be informed of the invitation to run for the election of the Chairperson of the Dormitory Council in the first week of October.
II stage – candidates selected by the Students’ Representative and the Student Affairs Department are invited to attend a meeting of the Selection Committee, the date, time, format, and venue of which will be communicated to the shortlisted candidates.
III stage – if necessary, the candidate has to participate in the Election of the Dormitory Council’s Chairperson, which will be held in the general meeting of residents of the dormitory.
A person who is interested to become the Chairperson of the Dormitory‘s Council together with the electronic application form has to submit the following information:
- Personal data
- A letter of motivation
- present in a narrative form the planned annual activities of the Dormitory Council (the Dormitory Council’s activity plan), which should include:
- the problems perceived in the hostel and proposed solutions
- the objectives, activities, and initiatives for the term of office
- informal activities to mobilise the community
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Dormitory‘s Council and the Chairperson
We want to remind You, that the Chairperson has the right and power to form and manage Dormitory‘s council.
The elected chairperson of the dormitory will be exempted from payment of the accommodation fee for 2022/2023 academic year (from 1st of October 2021 until 30th of June 2023)
The main purpose of the Dormitory‘s council is to help the Chairperson to implement the following objectives:
- To represent the interests of the dormitory Residents in University ‘s (dormitory ‘s) administration
- To represent University (dormitory) requirements among residents
- To maintain the integrity of a community
- To carry out social and cultural activities
- To mediate in cases of misunderstandings or problems between residents or residents and the administration
The Chairperson of the Dormitory‘s Council is elected annually at the beginning of each academic year by the general meeting of residents of the dormitory after the selection procedure performed by the Students‘ Representative Council and Student Affairs Department.