On Thursday, Klaipeda University welcomed students to a warm and engaging evening — “EU-CONEXUS Night: Coffee & Stories” — bringing together those who have already taken part in alliance activities and those who are only beginning to explore the idea of international opportunities within their studies.
At the heart of the event were four KU students who generously shared their experiences: KUSS President Olivija Vaidak, Auksė Nastičiūtė, Fatima Uz Zama and Kira Kiruta. Their accounts wove together impressions from the EU-CONEXUS Festival and Student Congress, Minor mobility experiences in Zadar, Athens and Valencia, involvement in international projects, and participation in online micro-credential modules.
One story that particularly captured the audience’s attention centred on a student-led sailing journey from Rostock to Klaipeda, an initiative that grew out of the EU-CONEXUS student project scheme. It brought together academic insight, personal challenge, teamwork and the reality of life at sea. The students spoke about new friendships, unforgettable diving experiences, stepping far outside their familiar routines, and memories that — as they put it — “will stay with us for a lifetime”. Their stories flowed easily, vividly and with infectious enthusiasm.
Following these personal reflections, attendees were introduced to the breadth of opportunities available through EU-CONEXUS: Minor specialisations, micro-credentials, winter schools, student research projects (SRH, OLH), innovation competitions, a variety of mobility options, and numerous other initiatives designed to support students’ academic and cultural growth within an international setting.
The evening drew to a close with informal conversations over coffee, where discussions continued well beyond the formal programme. Many students remarked that hearing authentic experiences first-hand is far more motivating than reading any official announcement.
This event marked the final highlight of KU’s EU-CONEXUS activities for the semester. Altogether, more than 400 KU students became acquainted with the opportunities offered by the alliance over the past months, and “EU-CONEXUS Night: Coffee & Stories” proved to be a warm and meaningful conclusion — reinforcing a sense of community, exchange and international outlook across the university.
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