June 25th, after 4 years of studies at MRU, Nigerian student Omotayo Fayemiwo graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He says now that he finally fulfilled his childhood dream to study abroad.

Omotayo is the 1st Nigerian student to graduate from a Bachelor’s Degree programme at MRU. “It was my childhood dream to study abroad and now I complete my dream and I am quite happy about that,” Omotayo said just days before his graduation. 

Now there are about 40 degree-seeking students from Nigeria at MRU. When Omotayo entered MRU in 2009, he was the only Nigerian student. He said he made friends with Lithuanian students and they helped him “cope” with the different food, weather and customs in Lithuania. “I was able to adapt with their help,” he said.

Omotayo spent much of his free time in MRU’s Library. Open around the clock, it allowed him to study not only during the day, but also late into the evening. “It’s the only place where I could find books for my studies and assignments,” Omotayo explained. He said he especially enjoyed the international atmosphere at MRU because it allowed him to make friends with students from other countries in Europe.

“They call this University international. When I came here, I was able to socialize with other students, Erasmus students,” he added. “We also come here to learn about other cultures,” he said and having classes with Erasmus allowed him to meet many of MRU’s international students. “I’m satisfied with my studies here because it was my dream,” Omotayo said. “I accomplished what I came here to do.”

Omotayo also had the opportunity to spend a semester as a student in Helsinki, Finland in 2012 under the auspices of the Erasmus programme. In July he plans to vacation in Nigeria. It will be his first visit home since he began studies in 2009. After his vacation, he plans to return to MRU to pursue Master’s Degree studies most likely in Social Work. And armed with a Master’s Degree he plans to return back to Africa. “Anything can happen, but my dream is to go back. It will be conducive for me to work in an African environment, where I was brought up,” he said.

Photo and text by Snieguolė Zalatorė