What Do the Sea, the Stars, and the University Have in Common for VU Students?
What connects Vilnius University (VU) with Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis’ symphonic poem The Sea, cents, and stars? As it turns out – quite a lot, according to VU students. To mark the International Students’ Day on 17 November, we asked them to share their favourite places on campus, their most memorable university moments, and what being part of VU means to them.
Studies evoking The Sea by Čiurlionis
James Iain McLean, a student of the Languages and Cultures of the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region programme at the Faculty of Philology, chose Čiurlionis’ composition The Sea when asked which piece of music best describes his studies.
‘Of course, Čiurlionis himself was an extraordinary figure as both a musician and a painter, and that resonates with me because I have a classical music background. At the same time, the work itself is a perfect metaphor for university studies: they are vast and full of interwoven motifs that fade and resurface at different moments,’ said the Master’s student.
For Thilina Ranmal Angunna Gamage, a Software Engineering student at Šiauliai Academy, university life feels like ‘On Top of the World’ by Imagine Dragons: ‘As a true Imagine Dragons fan, I think this song perfectly captures my university experience: it conveys the energy, the challenges, and the sense of achievement you feel when studying in a new country and building your future step by step.’
Miglė Gutauskaitė, who studies Business and Law at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, associates her studies with ‘Labas rytas’ by Biplan: ‘Both because of the vibe and because that song is inseparable from the VU Students’ Representation.’
When asked which phrase they associate most strongly with the University itself, many students mentioned the long-standing VU motto ‘From here the way leads to the stars’ (Latin Hinc itur ad astra).
‘It perfectly reflects how VU encourages you to be ambitious, to grow, and to believe that your goals are within reach,’ said T. R. A. Gamage.
For medical student Afoma Deborah Afobunor, VU brings to mind a line from Carl Gustav Jung: ‘I am what I choose to become’. ‘It reminds me that ultimately I shape my own destiny, and every day at VU brings me one step closer to achieving my goals.’
Afoma Deborah Afobunor. Personal archive photo
Experiences at VU and the power of community
What are the most memorable moments that stand out for students?
‘A particularly memorable experience for me was the training session held six months ago by the VU Club of Young Energetics in Antalieptė, right next to our Club’s Energy Museum. ‘In the evening, we gathered with alumni and listened to stories about how the Club was founded, how it evolved with different people, and how such a strong community was built. As a VU student and Club president, it was special for me to see how traditions have endured, understand my place in the community, and contribute to its continuity. That evening left a deep impression on me and reinforced just how important community is in a student’s life,’ recalled Justas Norkus, a student at the Faculty of Physics, where he studies what he calls ‘the most fun subject – physics’.
Justas Norkus. Personal archive photo
For A. D. Afobunor, one of the most memorable moments was the start of the academic year: ‘On 1 September, I helped welcome international students. I loved taking part in the traditional VU parade down Gedimino Avenue, meeting new students, and being able to encourage them. Looking back, it felt surreal – I used to be just like them: nervous but excited to begin my studies at VU.’
According to Šiauliai Academy student T. R. A. Gamage, one of his most memorable moments happened during his first weeks at the University: ‘At that time, I knew only a few people. A group of Lithuanian students invited me to join a tour of the Academy and then go for a coffee together. That simple act of kindness made me feel welcome immediately. That’s when I realised how warm and supportive the VU community really is.’
From the SCIC to the Cents Room
Students’ favourite spots on campus are tied not only to leisure and community but also to architecture. Medical student A. D. Afobunor particularly enjoys the Scholarly Communication and Information Centre (SCIC): ‘I love the building’s architecture and style. If I didn’t live so far away, I would go there every day. I also really like the new Medical Science Centre – it’s a very nice and well-designed building.’
For Software Engineering student, T. R. A. Gamage, his favourite place at Šiauliai Academy is the Cents Room, whose walls are covered in 157,130 coins as decoration. Here, according to the student, you can have a good time, meet friends, relax, and enjoy yourself.
J. I. McLean, who studies the Languages and Cultures of the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region, is especially fond of the Centre for Scandinavian Studies: ‘Ironically, I study there despite not speaking any Scandinavian language. Still, the Centre feels like a truly cosy academic home for me. Every day I feel even happier with my choice of studies,’ he said.
M. Gutauskaitė admits that since her first year, she has spent almost all her breaks on the same bench near the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration: ‘I don’t know how or when it happened, but it became a sort of ritual – coffee in my hand, a podcast in my headphones. Sitting there, you get to see some really lovely moments (including squirrels!),’ shared the student.
As J. Norkus notes, being a VU student means having the courage to try, fail, and grow: ‘It’s an opportunity to discover your strengths, meet interesting people, and experience what it means to grow not only academically but also personally – to learn from experience, laugh at your mistakes, and celebrate every small victory.’