My name is Martina. I was born in Germany to a Lithuanian mother and a Cypriot father. My story is similar to that of many children of immigrants. I grew up in Germany, and while my mother worked, I spent all my school vacations in Lithuania with my močiutė. I was always in the countryside—running through fields, swimming in the river, watching goats and cows, and enjoying so much more. Lithuania was my refuge from daily life in Germany—my own personal paradise. Back then, I believed I would always return one day to live there.
But then I became a teenager. Witnessing the struggles of my relatives in Lithuania—just trying to make ends meet—changed the way I saw the country. While I still thought Lithuania was a wonderful place for vacations, I no longer dreamed of living there. I started to feel pain for the people and their hardships, and for a while, I forgot about my paradise.
After some time living abroad, I decided to return to Lithuania for a visit. My plan was simple: spend a few weeks visiting family. Around the same time, university registrations were still open, so after some discussions (and a little pressure from my mother 😊), I applied. The rest is history.
It’s now been five years since I began studying at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). In that time, I’ve completely rediscovered myself. I found my profession, my calling, and—most importantly—my place in my paradise: Lithuania.
Through the Erasmus exchange programme, I had the opportunity to live in France and Spain. I also participated in a Blended intensive programme (BIP) in Estonia. I explored alternative methods in social work and presented my research at various conferences. I grew—not only as a professional, but as an individual—eager to contribute to society and the well-being of others.
That said, Lithuania hasn’t made it easy. It has presented me with serious challenges—including some of my biggest culture shocks—but with the support of my friends, family, and especially my VMU family, I’ve overcome them. I’ve grown because of them. VMU and my studies have shaped me into who I am today: a friend, a social worker, a person who understands the complexity of life and systems—constantly striving to find new ways to help, to innovate in the field, and to make social work more effective and meaningful.
Personally, my goal is to develop effective methods that utilize Lithuania’s rich and diverse natural environment by integrating it into therapeutic interventions—such as nature-based therapy and outdoor mental health activities. My view of Lithuania has changed once again. If I had to explain it to someone, I’d say this:
Lithuania is a place of challenges and growth. I have never witnessed so much resilience in one place. It is a unique blend of traditions, breathtaking nature, amazing people, and untapped potential. Lithuania is a place of transformation—where people can truly become their best selves.
