The most important thing is not to be afraid to leave your comfort zone

We've all probably heard it said at least once that being a student has countless benefits. We could consider one of the most important as an opportunity to get to know ourselves, to discover what really "drives" us, but sometimes it's really hard to find a "hook"... Therefore, today I asked the vice president of the Lithuanian Student Union and a very interesting person, Andrias Zalitis, to share my short story, who will help you understand that sometimes the best opportunities come at the most unexpected times, you just need to be able to accept them.

Andrias, what did you do before becoming LSS vice president? How has your life changed since becoming one?

Before joining the team of the office of the Lithuanian Student Union, I held the position of president in the student representative office of Mykolas Romeris University. I can say without any doubt that my one-year tenure was also the most difficult year of my life. I felt like I was "thrown into the pool" and it was obvious that a lot of knowledge was missing for a strong start. I did everything I could, I tried to learn quickly and I think I ended my tenure quite successfully, bringing some positive changes to the organization and keeping all the traditions.

Apparently, it was so difficult because, as I often jokingly say, I was a "lichen" at school, that is, an average student who did no extracurricular activities and spent a lot of time on the computer game Lineage 2.

Now my work is more enjoyable, more interesting and less stressful for me. First of all, this is due to the narrowing of my field of activity in a sense - as president I had to take care of everything, and now I am active in the academic and international field. Secondly, during the four years I spent in the student movement, I feel much "hardened", I am more confident in myself and in my accumulated knowledge.

You studied law at MRU. Have you always dreamed of it?

I chose my studies unplanned and even spontaneously. After finishing school, I really didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up and what study program I wanted to enter, so I applied to what I believe to be very universal studies - law. I did very well in English and history at school, so this choice was quite natural. Now I am quite satisfied with my decision. I know that I will definitely not be a classic lawyer, but I feel that I have gained a lot from my studies and I understand that the law will accompany me in every step of my life.

Are you feeling fully discovered right now?

Oh, not really. I would be lying if I said that I fully understand what kind of person I am, what I want from life, what kind of career, etc. I'm not too worried about such unknowns - I think everything will just come in time.

Apparently, I can calmly look at such unknowns because they are decreasing and little by little I am starting to see the contours of what I want to do in the future. During these two years at LSS, I realized that higher education is my subject. While studying law, I didn't read scientific articles on weekends anyway, and now I am sincerely interested in the concept of study quality and assurance systems. Therefore, one of the most realistic options for my future would be to work with higher education - in a higher education institution or in a state institution, although these are still just thoughts turning into an internal decision.

During these two years, I managed to discover some of my talents and abilities, e.g. I realized that I am an excellent public speaker and that I am quite good at moderating discussions and managing an audience. I am also glad that I managed to recognize some of my shortcomings. I realized that detailed, technical work that requires diligence is not something I can do well. I have found that I enjoy creating ideas and plans much more than actually implementing them.

What advice would you give to a student who is still searching for himself?

"Throwing yourself into scores", devoting yourself to the activities of various organizations, not being afraid to test yourself in competitive situations and in all other ways to go far out of your comfort zone. The status of a student provides unreal opportunities to try many different activities, because it is unlikely that it will be the same later. By using these opportunities, you either learn a lot, or you realize that certain activities are not interesting to you (which is also good). However, there is no need to overdo it with such "agility". People who try everything, but only superficially and without putting in effort, without genuine interest, can show you a long list of organizations, projects, clubs and all sorts of other things that they have "joined" or "participated in", but the real number of things they have done is equal to zero.

When visiting students, you encounter their problems. Perhaps you could briefly tell us about an event when you were most proud of yourself after solving a problem?

I solved one of the problems of students in a very classic way of lobbying, and apparently I will not forget it for a long time. Together with a representative of the Conference of Rectors of Lithuanian Universities and an employee of the Education and Exchange Support Fund, we spent two days in the Seimas persuading the seymūns to approve the amendment of the law, which would make it easier for foreigners studying in Lithuania to obtain a work permit in our country.

We had relevant statistics with us, answers to questions they might have, and we were ready to overcome even the most ardent nationalists, and there were some... As a result, one meeting went quickly and pleasantly, and the next one we had to prove our truth for half an hour.

The final result of all this is that the law was changed and an Indian studying in Lithuania no longer has to go through absurd bureaucratic mechanisms and wait six months just to get a job in an Indian restaurant. Lithuania has become a slightly more attractive country to study in, and as a result, it is very likely that we will see increasing internationalization rates in the future. I sincerely enjoy this work and see very real benefits.

Do you think that you are sufficiently appreciated and happy for your works, which are basically intended for future students?

I am happy when the union succeeds in achieving its goals, although success is certainly not our daily routine. We are not the Ministry of Education and Science and cannot make decisions about the Lithuanian higher education system by ourselves. We get involved in this process only as one of the interested groups next to politicians, university rectors and college directors... We have to look for compromises, and sometimes we just hit our head against the wall. Sometimes you are angry, sometimes you feel happy - it cannot be otherwise.

One thing you've learned best from working for students?

I learned to make up my mind. I've always enjoyed a good debate, interesting opinions, and people who can back up their opinions. I myself could present all kinds of facts, figures and arguments on very different topics - values, philosophical, political, ecological, but I myself often did not have a strong opinion and could not say the final "how better". I could spend an endless amount of time pondering a single question and gathering information, and that was probably because no matter what my opinion was, little would change. I did it mainly for fun or excitement.

Now I am able to stop myself from endless fact-finding and choose a clear position on the issue at hand when the circumstances require it.

Do you have someone you look up to?

Yes, but I don't want to name him here by name, but I definitely have the authority. I respect this person for his competence, knowledge, communication manners and the fact that he treats all people equally.

What is your credo in life?

I don't have a life credo. However, in keeping with the theme of this interview, I can share one quote that is especially inspiring at work:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

Three qualities, in your opinion, that help you achieve something in life the most?

Any feature would fit on this list. Very universal ones that would help on any path would be, in my opinion, communication, goal orientation (naming that "something") and respect for sleep. In all seriousness here, getting enough sleep is very important.

Author: Živile Masytė