How international university graduates carved out successful careers in Lithuania
They like cepelinai and šaltibarščiai but miss food from home, enjoy the four seasons, but agree that Lithuanian weather is very different from what they’re used to, they like Vilnius but prefer Kaunas. They arrived here for studies, found jobs and stayed for years after graduation.
The stories of international Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) graduates are inspiring – they teach a lesson of following one’s dream.
“I got here five years ago while I was looking for a change in my career. The road led me to Lithuania, where I did a master’s degree in mechatronics at KTU,” says Konstantinos Loukas from Greece.
A mechanical engineer by first education, Kostas decided to continue his studies in mechatronics after several years of professional experience. The changes in industry made him think about returning to the university, and he decided to give KTU a chance.
Five years later, he is a project manager at a Lithuanian company Machinery Assist, responsible for planning, installing, troubleshooting and maintaining woodworking equipment.
“It’s a nice place to live,” says Kostas, naming love for basketball as the quality Greeks and Lithuanians have in common.
KTU mechatronics graduate Konstantinos Loukas at his workplace, in Kaunas.
KTU alumni work as aircraft engineers and social entrepreneurs
Azad Ismayilov from Azerbaijan came to Lithuania almost six years ago to study aviation engineering bachelor’s. Today, he is a double graduate of KTU, also holding a master’s in industrial engineering and management. Azad works as a CAMO engineer at FL Technics, an international aircraft maintenance service provider, headquartered in Vilnius.
As a part of the continuing airworthiness management team, a KTU alumnus from Azerbaijan prepares the documentation with the tasks to be performed, so the aircraft is safe to fly.
“We share a big part of the history with Lithuanians; therefore, some cities and buildings here look the same,” says Azad. He admits missing his family and friends, though.
KTU graduate, aviation engineer Azad Ismayilov at his workplace in Vilnius.
His fellow citizen Narmin Aliyeva longs for a walk in the narrow streets of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. KTU informatics bachelor’s and master’s graduate, Narmin is a real busy bee: she is the founder of SPEAK Lithuania, an initiative awarded by the Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, a quizmaster, organising pub quizzes everywhere she travels, and a social entrepreneur.
“SPEAK Lithuania is a language and culture platform where anyone can join and share their language with others. At the same time, they can learn any language for free,” Narmin explains the initiative, which started in Portugal.
In Kaunas, SPEAK Lithuania language groups are meeting in different places, one of them being the Kaunas Artists’ House. After living in Lithuania for almost 10 years, Narmin speaks Lithuanian and is actively involved in the local cultural life.
“Use all the opportunities that you have at the university, try everything out and see what’s best for you,” she advises the current and future KTU students.
KTU graduate, social entrepreneur SPEAK Lithuania founder Narmin Aliyeva.
Juggling researcher’s career, job and hobbies
Fallon Manhanga, a KTU civil engineering graduate says that she has been living here for so long that it is hard to spot any differences between Lithuania and her native Zimbabwe – she prefers focusing on similarities instead.
“I love that this is a predominantly Christian nation, and how people here value family,” says Fallon. She successfully juggles her job as a senior operations coordinator at a software development company in Vilnius and her PhD studies at the KTU Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
“I work with self-healing concrete, it’s quite something,” admits Fallon, showing around her lab.
Fallon Manhanga, a civil engineering graduate and current PhD student at KTU.
Girinath Anandhan, a KTU mechatronics alumnus from India is also a man of many talents. During the day, he works as an accounts receivables clerk at Cencora, and after work, he creates his podcast on all things space.
“Never give up on your goals and dreams because the easiest thing in life is to give up. The hardest is to get going. Believe in yourself and go forward. It’s going to be good,” encourages Girinath, or Astro Giri on Instagram.
Emil William Thattakath, who grew up in Oman with Indian parents, has been living in Lithuania for almost 12 years. “Four seasons, beautiful nature, wonderful people,” he lists the reasons for enjoying life in Lithuania. Not, the fuel prices, which are “crazy high”, though.
Working as a commercial consultant at a software solutions company Mygom.tech, he enjoys bicycling in his free time. “Never be afraid to be unique and special,” Emil encourages those, who are just starting their professional careers.
KTU mechatronics graduate Girinath and technology management graduate Emil in their offices in Vilnius and Kaunas.