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21st Edition of the Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers Released

We invite you to explore the 21st edition of the Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers Catalogue, published by the VMU Career Center. This edition is dedicated to all university students and features internship and volunteering opportunities offered by companies, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations. We hope everyone finds the perfect match!

Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers No. 21 / December, 2024

The catalogue provides standardized information about each opportunity, including details about the company, institution, or organization offering the position, the title of the internship or volunteering role, and the requirements that prospective interns or volunteers must meet. Each listing specifies whether the activities can be combined with studies, the period during which interns or volunteers are accepted, positions available for students with special needs, and roles conducted in foreign languages, making them accessible to international students as well.

We hope this catalogue helps you find an internship or explore volunteering opportunities, paving your way into the job market!

Note: VMU Career Center is not responsible for the content of the opportunities listed in the catalogue. Companies and organizations independently determine the terms of internships and/or volunteering roles.

MA and PhD Students Invited to Apply for T4EU Common European Heritage Week

VMU MA and PhD students are invited to participate in the T4EU Common European Heritage Week, which will take place in Trieste, Italy from Monday, 24^th to Friday, 28^th February 2025. Those wishing to participate are invited to register online by December 23.

During the week, which is organized by the University of Trieste, the Second Common Heritage Conference, titled Transborder Heritage: A Multidisciplinary Approach, will be held, offering various panels, workshops and public talks. Each day of the conference will be dedicated to a different theme: History and Memories in Border Areas (25 February), Anthropology and Identities between Borders (26 February), and Architecture and Transborder Spaces (27 February). On 28 February, the participants will be able to go on a field trip to Gorizia and Nova Gorica.

Participants will be granted 3 ECTS credits.

Registration

VMU Study Programmes in Communication Are the Best in Lithuania

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) offers the best study programmes in the field of communication in Lithuania – they are well-aligned with societal and labour market needs, take into account the growing demand for communication specialists, and the academic staff are highly qualified. Additionally, the university fosters a strong research culture. These conclusions were presented by an international expert panel from the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC).

The experts accredited all four VMU communication studies programmes – Bachelor’s programmes in Public Communication and Creative Industries, and Master’s programmes in Integrated Communication and Creative Industries – for the maximum period of seven years. VMU’s programmes received the highest scores in Lithuania: the master’s programmes scored 29 points and the bachelor’s 28. The expert panel included members from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Ukraine, and Lithuania.

The field of communication is among the most competitive in Lithuania – the experts assessed over 20 study programmes across eleven higher education institutions. Kristina Juraitė, head of the VMU Department of Public Communications and Professor at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, states that VMU’s communication studies reflect the integrity of a highly dynamic professional field, its relevance and demand, and are a result of consistent academic collaboration.

Prof. Kristina Juraitė

“The high evaluation from the experts is particularly significant this year as we mark 35 years since the university’s re-establishment, and also over 25 years of the Department of Public Communications’ academic and research activities at the University. It is gratifying that the uniqueness of VMU’s communication studies programmes was noted by international experts who highlighted the high quality of study organisation, research culture, the university community’s enthusiasm, student engagement, and the broad network of social partners,” says Prof. Juraitė, head of the working group for self-assessment of study programmes in the field of communication.

According to Ina Pukelytė, Associate Professor and head of the Master’s programme in Creative Industries at the VMU Faculty of Arts, this study programme has been a patiently and lovingly nurtured ‘baby’ by the faculty community.

“We are thrilled that this ‘baby’ has grown into a solid, internationally recognised player in the field of creative industries and is rated as the best in Lithuania. We are especially proud of our master’s students, whose maturity and motivation inspire the teachers to continuously update and adapt the programme to meet current societal needs,” notes Assoc. Prof. Pukelytė.

Assoc. Prof. Ina Pukelytė

Innovation and variety of courses

Eglė Nevedomskė, a graduate of VMU’s Master’s programme in Creative Industries, social partner of the University, producer of the ConTempo festival, and representative of the public institution Kultūros Platforma (Cultural Platform), fondly recalls her studies at VMU as highly innovative and novel. At that time, the then-newly launched programme was noted for its practicality and provided extensive knowledge about the creative industries.

“There was no shortage of practical work and research, which allowed me to view my environment, city, country, cultural field, and creative sector through the lens of the creative industries. Through these research projects, I learned various methodologies that I still apply in my work in the cultural field. The studies directed me towards the cultural sector, where I have now been working in the field of performing arts for ten years,” shares Eglė Nevedomskė.

Eglė Nevedomskė. Photo from personal archive

The alumna also highlights the distinct difference she felt while studying at VMU compared to other universities in the country. “The faculty at VMU seemed much more open, approachable, striving to maintain the relevance of their courses, progressive, and warmly engaging with students. I also enjoyed the variety and quality of the courses,” emphasises the representative of Kultūros Platforma, adding that VMU students who are accepted as interns at this institution often become its full members.

Distinguished by a new approach

Asta Ivanauskienė, a graduate of VMU’s Master’s programme in Integrated Communication and Deputy Director General of the National Museum of Lithuania, also had high praise for her alma mater. She noted that the then newly-launched Integrated Communication studies stood out from the rest.

“Although communication specialists were being trained elsewhere at the time, these studies introduced a new approach, positing that everything overlaps and communication encompasses more than just the knowledge of a single speciality. The programme provided a general understanding of how communication works and how to convey messages to society,” the alumna summarises.

Asta Ivanauskienė. Photo from personal archive

“The studies laid the foundation that allowed me to utilise my acquired knowledge in leadership roles once I started working in a management position. I developed the skill to understand causal relationships – what, how, and why things work in today’s world – which is invaluable in a managerial role when making decisions,” Ivanauskienė concludes, revealing that the studies at VMU were particularly well-suited to her personality type, offering a wide choice of courses and shaping her understanding that it is important to strive for the greater good for the benefit of society.

Broad opportunities for self-actualisation

The high quality of VMU communication studies is also appreciated by current students of these programmes. Mažvydas Maziliauskas, a bachelor’s student in Creative Industries and an organiser of cultural events, says that these studies offer broad opportunities for self-actualisation. Here, students not only receive theoretical knowledge about various cultural and creative industry areas but also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge practically by implementing various projects.

“It was particularly interesting to try my hand at creating short films for a Film Industry project and to participate in a hackathon in Greece, where, together with a team, we presented a project – start-up that we had developed during our Personal Creative Activity Management lectures,” shares the student, who is also a member of both the VMU Faculty of Arts Council and the University Senate.

Mažvydas Maziliauskas

According to Mažvydas, he was most impressed by the lectures on visual communication, the music industry, entertainment theatre, and creative project management. “The teachers encourage us to think critically, engage in discussions, and seek new creative solutions. This study programme is not limited to just the field of culture and entertainment – it also provides knowledge on communication, project management, and entrepreneurship, thus preparing students for a successful career in the creative industries,” notes Mažvydas Maziliauskas, a former exhibition coordinator for Kaunas – European Capital of Culture 2022 and currently a cultural event organiser at the Marijampolė Cultural Centre.

“The skills and knowledge gained during the studies are lifelong – they not only intertwine with work nuances and complement each other but also provide a deeper understanding of everyday things we sometimes take for granted,” Mažvydas asserts.

VMU Communication studies – A true path of discovery

Vytautas Magnus University’s Communication studies are a true path of discovery, asserts Monika Pociūtė, a VMU Master’s student in Integrated Communication and a graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Public Communication. According to her, learning from industry experts provides students not only with theoretical knowledge but also a deep understanding of the true art of communication.

“It enriches and educates you, and pushes you to critically, consciously, and creatively assess the surrounding information space,” reveals Monika Pociūtė, adding that the University became more than just a stepping stone for her – it is where she found close friends, colleagues, and opportunities not only for academic improvement but for personal growth as well. In the lectures, she was delighted not only by the interesting topics but also by the delivery – practical tasks help assimilate large amounts of information.

Monika Pociūtė

Like Mažvydas, Monika is highly active – not only does she study in the VMU Master’s programme, but she is also a member of the Lithuanian Scouts Association, a Senior Girl Scout, involved in organising the Peace Light of Bethlehem in Lithuania, and contributes to the communication of her parents’ tourism business.

She explains that she chose to study in the field of communication to make use of her communicative tendencies. “The University programme opened up all possibilities. We live in the Information Age, where communication and the ability to convey ideas have become some of the most important skills – this field of study provides the opportunity not only to understand but also to manage these processes,” notes Monika Pociūtė.

Meets societal and labour market needs

The international expert panel assembled by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) summarises in their findings that VMU’s communication programmes are of high quality, with a clear commitment to continuous improvement and relevance to current trends and market demands.

The panel highlighted the high-level skills of the teachers, their readiness to adopt an individual approach and implement changes into the whole study process, and emphasised that the programmes are taught by “excellent, enthusiastic staff members with a clear passion for their subjects and practices and a genuine desire to support student learning.”

Experts also commended a strong and supportive research culture and the quality of research, particularly relating to theory and intellectual advances in the field. It is noted that the aims and learning outcomes of VMU’s communication study programmes are well-aligned with societal and labour market needs, demonstrating a clear understanding of the increasing demand for communication professionals and the necessity to develop new competencies.

“The curriculum aligns well with various national and European strategic documents and market studies, providing students with a well-structured progression from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. The programmes offer flexibility for students to tailor their studies to individual needs and include innovative teaching practices and robust Erasmus opportunities,” the SKVC expert panel concludes.

The assessment also emphasises that VMU’s academic staff are highly qualified and engaged in research and teaching, bringing practical knowledge and expertise to the programmes. The involvement of social partners and alumni in curriculum development further strengthens the programmes.

VMU Faculty of Arts study programmes

VMU Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy study programmes

Experts’ evaluation report

“VMU People and 35.” Prof. Auksė Balčytienė (in Lithuanian)

T4EU Students Invited to Shape the Future of Europe at ESA 2025

The Transform4Europe Alliance (T4EU) invites students from Vytautas Magnus University to apply for the European Student Assembly (ESA) 2025. This initiative, part of the EUC Voices project, offers a unique platform for students to engage in critical discussions and contribute to policy recommendations that will shape the future of Europe.

The ESA 2025 will bring together students from 64 European University Alliances to deliberate on eight key topics crucial to Europe’s future. The assembly will culminate in a three-day event held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg from May 26th to 28th, 2025.

This is an opportunity to make students voices heard on a European level. By participating in the ESA, T4EU students can contribute to shaping policies that will impact their future and engage with a diverse network of students from across the continent.

The ESA encourages applications from students of all nationalities, fields, and levels of study, from the second year of Bachelor’s to PhD programs.

Key benefits of participating in the ESA:

• Influence policy: Contribute to policy recommendations that will be presented to European decision-makers.
• Develop key skills: Enhance critical thinking, debate, and policy-making skills.
• Expand your network: Connect with students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines across Europe.
• Gain valuable experience: Participate in a high-profile European project.

Financial Support:

Transform4Europe will partially cover travel and accommodation expenses for the assembly in Strasbourg.

Application Deadline: December 1st, 2024.

Apply Now

About Transform4Europe:

Transform4Europe is an alliance of eleven European universities committed to fostering innovative and inclusive education, research, and societal engagement.

About EUC Voices:

The EUC Voices project is an Erasmus+ funded initiative focused on promoting active European citizenship through the European Student Assembly, the Ambassadors Forum, and the EUC Alumni Network.

More information

Students are invited to join the VMU Mentor’s community

You are cordially invited to join the VMU Mentor’s community! As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of international students while enhancing your own skills and experiences.

VMU Mentor’s community plays a crucial role in welcoming and supporting international students, ensuring they have a smooth transition into university life and the vibrant community of Vytautas Magnus University.

By becoming a mentor, you will:

• Make a positive difference in the lives of international students by providing guidance, support, and assistance.
• Develop leadership, communication, and cross-cultural skills through mentorship opportunities.
• Build lasting connections and friendships with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Enhance your own personal and professional development.

The application to join the VMU Mentor’s community is now open and will remain available until November 24th. To apply, please fill out the application form here.

Selection process of VMU mentors:

• VMU students selected based on their applications will be informed personally via email and invited to a motivational interview conducted online.
• Following the interviews, successful candidates will be notified personally and invited to the first meeting.

Don’t miss this chance to become a part of a vibrant community dedicated to fostering inclusivity, support, and friendship at Vytautas Magnus University.

For any inquiries, please contact monika.lisauskaite[eta]vdu.lt

You can find out more about the international student mentoring program here.

We look forward to welcoming you to the VMU Mentor’s community!

We invite you to register for interviews | VMU Connections: Career Day

Maybe you’re currently looking for opportunities and want to start building your career? At VMU Connections: Career Day, during the Career Fair, we invite you to test yourself in a real interview and apply for an available job or internship position.

Choose the internship or job offer that interests you, don’t forget to bring your CV, make sure to register, come, and challenge yourself!

When registering, you need to choose the company or organization for whose interview you would like to participate—you can find all the offers from the organizations below, and the full list of companies participating in the fair can be found here.

Live interviews for available internship or job positions will take place on November 8 from 11:00 AM to 13:00 PM at S. Daukanto st. 28, Kaunas (we will send more detailed information about participating in the interviews later).

REGISTRATION (registration is open until November 4 at 11:59 PM).

 

VMU Connections: Career Day

On November 8, Vytautas Magnus University will become a space that brings people together. Whether you are looking for an internship or your first job opportunity, or you’re a graduate wanting to shift your career in a new direction, you will find all the answers at VMU Connections.

The traditional VMU Career Day, along with the “Matuokis profesiją” (Try Out a Profession) event for school students and VDU Alumni Day for graduates, are expanding into a unified format. This offers a unique opportunity for students, VMU graduates, school students, business representatives, and everyone else to meet in one day, share knowledge, experiences, and professional opportunities.

Come prepared – starting October 14, we invite you to participate in remote training sessions where everyone can enhance their skills and acquire new knowledge that will be useful in planning and building your career. Presentations and advice from specialists will help you get ready for the job fair with companies and organizations taking place on November 8.

REMOTE TRAINING PROGRAM

 

CAREER DAY PROGRAM

During the Career Day, you will have the opportunity to establish valuable connections and contacts. You will also be able to participate in interviews and selection processes conducted by companies and organizations for real existing job or internship positions. This is a great chance not only to hear useful information and learn about the opportunities offered by companies and organizations but also to discover your desired internship or job position.

More information about VMU Connections can be found HERE.

 

Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition

The competition is open for Erasmus+ students or recent graduate traineeship grants for traineeships in the EU/EEA. The application deadline is November 30, 2024.

(Application is OPEN every month!)

The placement period is from 2 to 4 months. Recent graduate traineeship must end – a year after graduation.

Note! For recent graduate traineeship applications must be submitted and students must be selected while the applicant is still a student at VMU.

You can only apply for one traineeship place – multiple mobilities are not possible.

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Selection

All VMU full-time degree students who have not used more than 10 months of their Erasmus mobility (study/traineeship) period are eligible for the Erasmus grant.

Selection documents (Documents must be submitted online):

For student traineeship (traineeship during student’s year of studies):

• Filled-in application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Student Traineeship“ (must select EN language to find the form).
• Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory).

For recent graduate traineeship (application must be submitted during the last year of studies):

• Application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Recent Graduate Traineeship “ (must select EN language to find the form).
• Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory);
• Recommendation by a faculty member (obligatory).

The priority in the selection is given to:

• students whom traineeship is an obligatory part of their study programme;
• students who have never been Erasmus traineeship students before.

Selection criteria:

• student’s motivation;
• good knowledge of the language which will be used during the traineeship;
• student’s work, study, traineeship, participation in international/academic projects, and social activities experience in Lithuania and abroad;
• conformability between the chosen traineeship and the student’s study programme;
• study results (first-year MA students should attach a transcript of records of their BA/MA degree to the application form).

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Traineeship grants

For EU and EEA countries:

Country group	Country	Monthly scholarship size
Group I	Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, France, Finland, Sweden, Germany.	824,00 Eur
Group II	Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia.	824,00 Eur
Group III	Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey.	756,00 Eur

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For Non-EU/EEA countries:

The application period has ended. Next competition will be held in February, 2025.

The scholarship is 700,00 Eur/month + travel scholarship.

13 and 14 region countries scholarship is 824,00 Eur/month + travel scholarship.

Region 13: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City State.
Region 14: Faroe Islands, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

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Additional travel scholarship (the size is determined by the distance* from Lithuania (Kaunas city) to the location (city) of the practice organization):

Travel distance	Ecological travel (total):	Non-ecological travel (total):
10-99 km	56 EUR	28 EUR
100-499 km	285 EUR	211 EUR
500-1999 km	417 EUR	309 EUR
2000-2999 km	535 EUR	395 EUR
3000-3999 km	785 EUR	580 EUR
4000-7999 km	1 1188 EUR	1 188 EUR
8000 km or more	1 735 EUR	1 735 EUR

 

Note: travels up to 500 km. must be ecological travels! It means traveling by bus, train, car, etc. Otherwise you will need to submit a form with the reason why you choose to travel non-ecological.

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The competition results will be sent to every participant via e-mail.

Note: Application results are published next month (10th of the upcoming month), therefore, the traineeship start date should be at least two weeks after that day. The competition results will be published via e-mail.

More information:

Cultural Diplomacy Continues to be Viewed Short-Sightedly

“Cultural diplomacy is not just a bridge that facilitates cooperation between nations. I am convinced that cultural diplomacy can prevent wars,” says Dr. Giedrė Pranaitytė, Coordinator of the Centre of Francophone Countries at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

Her love for the French language and culture, which began in childhood, not only opened up professional opportunities for her but also made her realise the importance of cultural diplomacy in preserving a country’s identity. She strives to instil these values in her students as well.

From Joan of Arc to diplomatic studies 

“My mother, Salvinija Pranaitytė, was a history teacher. Her stories about the Middle Ages, particularly about Joan of Arc, fascinated me. I also remember the paintings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that hung at my grandparents’ house, painted according to the mystical visions of the French saint, Margaret Mary Alacoque. So my first acquaintance with France was through its history and spiritual traditions,” explains Dr. Pranaitytė.

Although there was no opportunity to learn French at school, she never gave up on this dream. Later, having enrolled in English philology studies, she chose French as an additional subject.

“I attended every possible lecture and course to learn this language. Additionally, I pursued vocational studies and obtained international certificates. At that time, travelling to France was not so simple, and it was expensive. Since, at the beginning of Lithuania’s restored independence, the main way to travel abroad as a student was through the Taizé monastic community, my coursemates and I took advantage of this opportunity to organise our first trip to France,” she recalls.

Having worked as an English and French translator from the first year of her studies, Dr. Pranaitytė assures she has never been short of job offers. “At that time, Lithuania was preparing to join the European Union, so there was a need to translate many legal documents related to this area. This became my stepping stone into politics,” says Dr. Pranaitytė, who worked for several years in the EU Committee of the Regions. Living in Brussels and having had the opportunity to observe many political processes up close, she wanted to find an area where she could combine her love for languages and her interest in politics. That is why she chose to pursue doctoral studies in International Diplomacy at VMU.

“When I returned to Kaunas, I deliberately chose to research the field of cultural diplomacy between the US and France. During my doctoral studies, I travelled to France several times. But this time, it was to meet the first French diplomats who resided in Lithuania after the restoration of our independence. Philippe de Suremain, the first French ambassador to Lithuania, made a particularly strong impression. Cultural diplomacy came into my life very harmoniously and became my great passion. I try to pass on everything that interests me personally to my students,”­ says the teacher of the VMU Francophonie studies programme.

Dr. Giedrė Pranaitytė

We tend to underestimate the power of culture

Cultural diplomacy plays a particularly important role in times of strife and war. And wars, according to Dr. Pranaitytė, arise when diplomats can no longer communicate effectively. “Now, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, we see manifestations of military or hard power. Meanwhile, soft or cultural power is based on the endeavour not only to attract future partners but also to communicate with opponents or even enemies. Ultimately, all wars end in negotiations, so we must learn to lay the foundations of security architecture not just through military means,” ­Dr. Pranaitytė discusses the importance of cultural diplomacy, which she believes is still viewed short-sightedly in Lithuania. There’s a prevailing belief that only what remains after resolving economic and social issues is sufficient for culture.

“Even Winston Churchill, during the Second World War, told his pilots that it was especially important to protect museums and cultural institutions in Great Britain. For if there is no culture, there is nothing left to defend. This is still true today. If we lose our national culture and identity, we will have nothing to offer the world. We will have nothing to defend and will ultimately become spiritually impoverished,” says the representative of the VMU Centre of Francophone Countries.

Unfortunately, she notices a tendency among students to undervalue their own culture. “In this case, I encourage them to look into our country’s literature. Take the poet Oskaras Milašius, our first representative in France during the interwar period, who wrote in French all his life, although a collection of his works in French was only recently reissued. Consider the retrospective exhibition of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis held at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris in 2000 or the 2018 exhibition of Baltic symbolist artists, marking the centenary of the Baltic states, which was also honoured by a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron. And let’s not forget the achievements of our theatre artists, who often receive significant attention and win first prizes at the international Avignon Theatre Festival. All this is not only the merit of our artists but also of the diplomats who support and implement these initiatives with limited financial resources,” Dr. Pranaitytė lists Lithuania’s achievements in the French cultural field.

Learning the subtleties of cultural dialogue in lectures

A good understanding of another country’s culture and etiquette rules can help establish good business relations, believes Dr. Pranaitytė, who presents both theoretical and practical material in these areas to her students during lectures.

“I strive to ensure that students, before they enter the labour market and interact with people from French-speaking countries, understand the prevailing cultural codes there. For example, suppose we need to call a business partner to resolve an urgent matter. What do we Lithuanians do? When we call, we immediately state our problem. Meanwhile, the French would start the phone conversation by apologising for the disturbance, asking about the other person’s family or hobbies, and only then move on to the matter at hand,” explains the VMU teacher, describing the practical nuances of applying etiquette.

In her lectures, she also aims to convey theoretical material through specific historical and cultural events. “During diplomatic French lectures, we discuss diplomatic phenomena with students, such as the Algerian War, one of the most dramatic moments in French history, or when discussing the role of Senegalese riflemen in the First World War, I integrate literary works on this topic. This not only broadens the students’ intellectual field but also serves as a medium for initiating intercultural dialogue,” says Dr. Pranaitytė, discussing the importance of understanding cultural context.

French philosopher Pascal Bruckner (in the centre) with VMU students

Study years shape broader worldviews

According to the speaker, one of the most enjoyable aspects for her is seeing how students, who start learning French from scratch, reveal their talents and find themselves over the four years of their bachelor’s studies. “Many students choose minor study courses alongside their main study programme. Some opt to pursue a career as a teacher, while others are interested in literature and specialise in translation. Currently, with the increased demand for French literature in Lithuanian publishing houses, this field has become particularly promising. For another group of students, Francophone studies serve as a bridge to further studies in diplomacy and international relations – a path that I myself have chosen,”­ explains Dr. Pranaitytė.

She is convinced that no matter what subject you choose to study, without passion, reaching professional heights will be difficult. “Starting a professional career too early and relegating studies to the background is also not very positive. The university years are the best time to absorb all possible knowledge and experiences, and to travel. In that case, whatever professional activity you later choose will offer more fulfilment. And knowing yourself better, you will become more attractive and valuable to future employers,” concludes Dr. Pranaitytė.

More information about the Francophone Studies programme.

Lack of German-Speaking Workers – A Strategic Problem for Lithuania

While Germany is one of the most significant investors in Lithuania and, from now on, a key NATO collective defence partner (with a transfer of 5,000 troops and civilians from the German brigade to Lithuania by 2027), there remains a shortage of German-speaking workers in our country.

“Some of the German Brigade soldiers and civilians will come here with their families, who will need various services such as preschool and primary education, language training, etc. The deployment of the troops is gradually beginning, and meticulous Germans are already interested in whether Lithuania has enough workers to provide these services,” says Assoc. Prof. Rūta Eidukevičienė, a Germanist and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Vytautas Magnus University.

Knowledge of German opens broad career opportunities

According to the associate professor, the shortage of German-speaking professionals is not only a concern for the country’s security sector. Representatives from the business and education sectors are also sounding the alarm bells.

“Currently, the majority of the country’s municipalities plan to discontinue Russian as a second foreign language in schools from September and offer pupils a choice of one of the European Union (EU) languages. Most commonly, Year 6 pupils are offered German or French, and in some schools Spanish, but there is a lack of teachers for these languages, especially in the regions. Data show that an increasing number of pupils are choosing German; however, given the close ties between Lithuania and Germany and the career prospects that the German language offers, the percentage could be higher,” asserts Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė.

She also notes a new trend where schools have to compete with the business sector for German language specialists – both Lithuanian and international companies operating in our country consider knowledge of the German language to be a very important skill, hence career opportunities in companies for students who choose German studies often open while they are still studying.

“In response to this need, a few years ago we restructured our German studies programme – starting from the very first semester, we offer students career planning internships, during which they visit various companies working with the German market, hear from specialists about the competences expected by future employers, perform tasks assigned by them, and in later semesters return to complete longer internships at the company. Today’s German Studies are much more focused on the development of practical skills and providing broader knowledge about Germany,” the teacher of the VMU first-cycle study programme Foreign Languages and Cultures: German Language and Communication outlines the future prospects for prospective specialists.

Assoc. Prof. Rūta Eidukevičienė

According to Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė, companies operating internationally recognise that, often, knowledge of English alone is no longer sufficient and that what separates successful businesses from “average” ones is that communication is conducted in the language of the country where the business is developed or in the language spoken by the clients.

“When it comes to the German market, business representatives emphasise that there is a significant shortage of employees who not only speak German but also understand certain communication and cultural nuances, and this need is expected to grow in the near future,” asserts Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė, who has extensive experience in the business sector and currently assists companies in developing employees’ intercultural communication skills with German-speaking countries.

Andrius Veršinskas, Head of the Business Division at KaunasIN, concurs, noting that the demand for German language skills in the labour market is high and increasing across Lithuania, particularly in Kaunas. Germany remains not only one of Lithuania’s main export markets but also the country with the most investors, who are the largest in Lithuania and Kaunas.

“Investors based in Kaunas are expanding not only in the sectors that brought them to Lithuania. For instance, companies like ‘Continental’ and ‘Hella’, which manufacture electronic components for automobiles, have opened their business services (finance) centres where German is highly prioritised, and sometimes required. In fact, due to the shortage of German-speaking specialists, we have lost several potential investment projects in Kaunas,” says Andrius Veršinskas.

Andrius Veršinskas (Kaunas IN photo)

According to him, it should come as no surprise that German is one of the foreign languages (with English having become the market standard) whose proficient command can by itself guarantee a job in business service centres or sales teams, even without other industry-specific knowledge or education. “Even for engineers or employees with clear specific knowledge, competences, and education in other fields, knowledge of foreign languages, especially German, often translates to an additional few (or more) hundred euros each month,” Veršinskas asserts.

The demand for German-speaking specialists, which has been growing for several years, is also emphasised by Mantas Butkus, Head of Technical Support Services – German Language Team at Festo, a German capital company based in Kaunas, which employs a large number of VMU German Studies graduates.

“It is gratifying that we have educational institutions in Lithuania that pay great attention to the development of intercultural communication skills. This is particularly beneficial in helping new employees quickly integrate into international teams and successfully collaborate with colleagues from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland,” Mantas Butkus reflects on the German Language and Communication study programme at VMU.

Mantas Butkus (Photo source: Festo)

Studies focus on improving not only language skills but also intercultural competences

Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė points out that the VMU study programme German Language and Communication stands out because it is designed for those who not only want to learn German (with the possibility to start from scratch or advance existing skills) but also wish to learn more about the history, culture, and economic systems of Germany and other German-speaking countries, undertake internships in these countries, and participate in international student projects.

“When choosing study courses, students of the German Language and Communication programme can decide for themselves in which area – business, law, media, advertising, or tourism – they wish to improve their German language skills. Additionally, alongside German, students can study another EU language – French, Italian, or Spanish. German philology students, in addition to their main study programme, can choose a minor, which provides additional opportunities to find a job they like. Starting this year, students who opt for minor studies in Pedagogy receive a scholarship of 357.50 euros,” explains one of the programme’s teachers.

She also highlights the broad international opportunities offered by the University. The VMU German Language and Communication programme closely collaborates not only with local social partners but also with partner universities in Germany. One of these is Saarland University, which, like VMU, is a member of the European University Alliance Transform4Europe.

“Alliance partners continually discover new activities and initiatives that creatively and innovatively transform studies and research. One such initiative, starting this September, sees VMU and Saarland University jointly conduct a study module ‘Intercultural German Language Didactics’, which VMU students of German philology or other foreign philologies can attend either in person or online, earning a certificate from Saarland University (InterDiDaF). This course takes place in mixed intercultural groups, where students jointly carry out various practical projects, acquire competencies in German language didactics, and prepare for teaching German in an international context,” Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė details.

According to Elisabeth Venohr, Study Coordinator at Saarland University, interdisciplinarity, multilingualism, and the development of intercultural competences are the main pillars of this partnership. “The InterDiDaF studies and certificate encourage students and lecturers to view language teaching and learning from a new perspective, expand intercultural competences through German, and prepare to apply them in multilingual contexts, especially in border regions,” Dr. Elisabeth Venohr explains.

Dr. Elisabeth Venohr (Photo source: Saarland University)