Augustė, suffering from cerebral palsy: "Erasmus+" exchange helped me understand that I can"

Augustė Paulauskytė is a student of Italian and Romance languages at Vytautas the Great University (VDU). In the spring, she spent four months in Erasmus+” on exchange at the University of Trento, Italy. Augustė suffers from cerebral palsy, due to which a walker or a wheelchair helps the girl to move. As a result, the trip had to be thought out more carefully, but it did not stop it from experiencing one of the most memorable adventures.

What motivated you to participate in the exchange?

The big incentive was the desire to improve. I wanted to learn Italian well and speak it really well after my studies. All the strongest students of my course went on an Erasmus+ exchange. The teachers also encouraged to do this, because it is impossible to learn a language well just by studying. In addition, at VMU, we have too few lectures and academic hours for language learning.

Why did you choose Trent University?

I was thinking purely about strategic things. Both the city and the university needed to be tailored to my needs. The grad school search took up to three months, but I did all my homework. I found out what the adaptability is in the university, the city, public transport, what accommodation conditions can be offered to me. I was also interested in the quality of studies. I wanted to go to a university where it was neither too easy nor too difficult.

How was your preparation for the exchange?

It took me a while to get in touch with the university. I sent them two letters, but only after the intervention of the VDU administration did I get a reply. My preparation was not limited to formal matters. I have such a friend who always has a lot of faith in me. He taught me how to use public transport. In fact, if I hadn't learned to ride the bus, I wouldn't have gone on the exchange. This is what showed me that I can do much more than I think. Sometimes you just have to dare to try, that's the only way you'll know what you're really capable of.

Did you have any fears?

I never lived alone, never cooked, because I always had someone around to help me. For example, I had only shopped in a store in Lithuania a few times, so it took a lot of courage to convince myself that I would be able to live independently. And my sister was probably more scared than I was, so I didn't tell my family until I was completely ready. I just said, "I'm leaving!"

How was staying there different from studying at VMU, living in Kaunas?

My faculty was completely tailored to my needs. I've lived in an apartment where the door opens with the push of a button - I've never seen this level of customization before! The university administration was always ready to help me. When I suspected that I might be infected with COVID-19, they kept asking about my health, wrote a number to call, but I didn't use it. I also get all the help I need here, the faculties where I study meet my needs. Well, maybe the accommodation conditions were better in Trento.

As for the studies themselves, they are different at Trent University and VDU. First, the workload is higher, you need to read books that are included in the program of the study subject in addition, because the lectures cover only the essentials and you can make a good summary, which is not enough to pass the exam. The second difference is that the exams were usually oral and determined everything, as there were no other assessments during the semester. The differences are not bad - both studies at VMU and Trent University have their own advantages and disadvantages. It's true, in my opinion, the workload of VMU could sometimes be higher and language study exams could be not only written, but more often oral, because I would like more attention to be paid to speaking practice and the assessment of its skills. On the other hand, it's good that VMU exams don't determine so much, because when the exam determines everything, it's not cool either, because it means that one or a few days determine all your work during the semester.

What was your most memorable moment while studying in Italy?

After leaving with the Erasmus+ program, changing the environment, getting to know different people, you inevitably experience many new things, adventures, create memories that later make you smile and laugh in the way of sadness caused by nostalgia. It is because of this abundance of unique experiences that it is difficult to name a single most memorable moment, but I had a few that stood out to me the most.

One of them was when I really felt at home in Trento. I looked at the pavement. It was raining. It was definitely not the best day for a walk. But still people chatted, gathered under umbrellas, rode bicycles. The city seemed alive. I remember how we were walking with a friend and suddenly a guy riding a bicycle stopped and asked in a helpful tone: "Vuoi una mano?". In Lithuanian it means: "Maybe you need help?" We didn't really need it, so we refused. But it left us both with a warm feeling in our hearts, lifted our spirits and made us admire even more the helpfulness and friendliness of Italians. Another favorite memory of mine is when we, me and an ESN student, were greeted with ovations and shouts by the Erasmus students after we were late for the train and arrived later. It was probably one of the most enthusiastic receptions of my life.

What would you say to a student who wants to participate in "Erasmus+” exchange, but have doubts about your disability or other reasons?

First, if you can, really go. If you doubt, it goes without saying, but I think that everything is possible, everything has a solution, you just need to be interested and find all the necessary information. Maybe you really need that kind of experience to become more independent, to realize that you can.