My decision to study abroad was influenced by several factors: the quality of education, better opportunities, and the conditions offered to students.
Although I achieved good results in my final exams, studying in Lithuania would have been difficult because I did not take the mathematics exam. In many cases, this would limit my university options. However, in the Netherlands, mathematics was not a requirement for my chosen studies, which opened up new possibilities.
I was also looking for a financially realistic option. In the Netherlands, students have more opportunities to receive support for both tuition fees and living costs, which made studying abroad a much more achievable goal.
The Netherlands was also attractive because of its international environment. Almost everyone speaks English—from children to older generations—so communication is never a problem. This makes adapting to life in a new country much easier.
The admission process was very simple. As a student from Lithuania, I did not need many additional documents or an English language certificate. I only had to provide my Secondary School grades and exam results.
During the application process, Kastu provided me with a lot of support. The team answered my questions quickly, encouraged me, shared advice from previous students, and provided detailed information about what I needed to do before moving and after arriving in the Netherlands.
Now that I have started my studies, everything is going very well. Of course, I miss my family, friends, and pets back home, but the experience I am gaining here makes it worth it.
Because of the pandemic, I started my first semester online. Surprisingly, this gave me a lot of flexibility. I could travel, work, and even take my first exam while being in France, without losing the quality of education.
Studying abroad still requires effort. My calendar is full of deadlines, assignments, and exams, but everything is easier to manage because the schedule is organised well in advance. You know your responsibilities and can plan your time effectively.
One thing to remember is that studying abroad has additional costs. For example, my textbooks for the first semester cost around €400. Finding accommodation in the Netherlands can also be challenging and expensive, so it is important to start searching early. However, universities often provide support for first-year students.
Looking back, I believe studying abroad was a challenging but very rewarding decision. You adapt to a new place, you find new friends, and you learn to become independent.
My advice to anyone thinking about studying abroad is:
Don't let fear stop you from trying.
It is not a decision you can never change—it is an opportunity to experience something new, discover your abilities, and create your own future.
