Lithuania

Lithuania: Justas Kidykas
Interviewer
Erman Ermihan

1)What is your average weekday and weekend like?
How many hours do you go to school?
From 8:30 to 16:00 every weekday.
How many hours of homework do u have weekdays& weekends?
At weekdays usually about 2 hours, at weekends sometime it takes a whole day, because I have homework from 2 different schools.
How many hours do u have for yourself weekday &weekend?
Few hours at weekdays. Plenty of time at weekends to hang out with friends.

2)Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Studying in the university and having a clear vision about my future.

3)What is your favorite thing you like about living in Lithuania?
Just being around Lithuanians, and enjoying its nature.

4)What do you dislike most about living in Lithuania?
That Lithuanians usually don’t respect Polish people, especially in East Lithuania.

5)What are Lithuanian people most passionate about?
Two things, which have a strong relationship – basketball and beer.

6)What do Lithuanian students know about Turkey and how do they view Turkish people?
Not only students, but almost all Lithuanians consider Turkey as the cheapest resort. We know that, unfortunately, they are too communicative. Also, we know, that Turkish people love Lithuanian girls.

7)If someone were to visit Lithuania, where would you recommend they visit first?
Vilnius’ old town and Curonian Spit, which are included to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

8)Any one interesting fact about the Lithuanian way of life?
Lithuanians care a lot about their families, so every single holiday we celebrate with them, such as Easter or All Saints’ Day. Also, we go nuts about any kind of sports.

9)Prior to the global financial crisis of 2007-2010, Lithuania had one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union. Furthermore, Lithuania will assume the role of the Presidency of the European Union. While every European country is dealing with the current economic crisis, (including the country you’re now living in, Belarus), do you see a bright economic future for Lithuania?
Lithuania’s economy is has been growing quite quickly after the deep decline. We are thankful to the EU, which gave us a big donation for many various projects.

10)Sports are highly developed in Lithuania, especially basketball. As you know, Lithuania hosted the men’s European Basketball Championship EuroBasket 2011 and the national basketball team is in the 5th place in FIBA rankings. They have also many awards. How does it feel like to be born in a country surrounded by basketball? Do you have a special interest in it?
To us basketball is a second religion. We live with basketball every day. I am not an exception. In summer I spend every day in the basketball court. It is a very good feeling, when people are gathering around and supporting their team at the arena, bar or home. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to go to the Euro Championships, but Lithuania’s Embassy in Belarus gave an opportunity to every Lithuanian in Belarus to come to the embassy and cheer for the team together.