Third-year students of Business Management and Marketing by “Team Academy” method successfully completed their participation in the international project “Global Business Challenge” by invitation from Aston University in October 2023. Over the course of several months, they faced multiple challenges as they joined an international community comprising 34 teams and approximately 230 participants from around the world.

The goal of the “Global Business Challenge” project participants was to form intercultural teams, acquire real clients, listen to their needs/problems, and provide solutions. Each week, students attended online meetings, divided tasks, managed their time, communicated with their assigned coach, and presented solutions to the client.

In addition to project activities, Vilnius Business College’s “Team Academy” students had meetings with their course  mates and coaches to discuss the project, share their progress, and exchange ideas. This experience provided students with greater motivation, the opportunity to see their work from different perspectives, and a chance to achieve better results as a team. It was also a unique international experience, allowing them to understand how business operates in different countries and explore cultural differences.

Aušra Gaivenienė, a coach for the students, commented, “This project is a great idea for those who are not accustomed to or are hesitant to work in a team.” She also participated in the “Global Business Challenge” project as a coach for other student teams.

Our “Team Academy” students described their participation in this project as extremely interesting and beneficial. It allowed them to learn about different cultures, improve their English language skills, and work in an international team.

“This project is a great idea for those who are not used to or are afraid to work in a team,” said one student. Another added, “I gained a lot of valuable experience, from creatively completing assigned tasks to working with people from all over the world.”

We wish our third-year “Team Academy” students the best of luck in their future career!

Mannh Kamble came from India. Business management and marketing are already the second study programme which he studies in Lithuania. Who brought him from hot India to Lithuania, where he is counting the sixth year of his life? Mannh talks openly and honestly about his studies, cultural challenges and why living in a foreign country so strongly teaches us to live in the present. For your attention – an interview with our college student from abroad!

How did you end up at the Vilnius Business College?

Engineering studies brought me to Vilnius, but my old dream of working for myself and creating my own business did not leave me. I decided to take a break and once on my way to work I saw the inscription “Vilnius Business College” on a huge building. I got interested, read more, went to talk and…I was hooked. I was attracted by the study program, informal, warm communication, and an environment that does not resemble standard classrooms. The gap year I had planned ended very naturally before it even started. It felt like everything fell into place by itself.

And what is the study experience like after the first year?

Great! The first semester was very addictive because the studies are interactive. Instead of constantly reading a pile of books before, here the learning process is gradual and with a lot of practice. You need to read books, but the teacher can give you the task of finding the desired literature on a certain topic. We also pay a lot of attention to what is happening in business and in a particular field, not just in general, but at the moment, how it relates to the subject of study. And this is the case in all lectures, so studying is interesting.

My group mates are smart and cool, I really like them. I even work with some of them in the same job.

How did you manage to adapt in Lithuania, a completely new country for you?

I have been living in Vilnius for six years, so I am no longer a newcomer. When I was preparing to go to Lithuania for the first time, I was not too interested in the country, because the most important thing for me was my studies. Now it’s fun to remember when family members, just 30 minutes before leaving for the airport became interested in the climate of Lithuania and, seeing -20 C, rushed to look for warm clothes. Men’s or women’s jacket – it didn’t matter anymore! The housemates were also worried about the Indian food that I am used to.

I like Vilnius. I made friends from my previous studies, and later, in order to get to know Lithuanians better, I tried various methods, for example, talking to a stranger in the city every day. And I was successful! I also found friends with the help of my girlfriend. Currently, my circle consists of Lithuanians and foreigners, I have no friends from India.

When I could find a job, I found it on the Internet, social media with the help of networks. The fact that I am trying to learn to speak Lithuanian helps me a lot. I can now talk about simple everyday things.

What cultural challenges did you face?

What was new was that people in Lithuania value personal space much more. I like that Lithuanians are quite straightforward people: they don’t mince words, they say it as it is. When you find a Lithuanian friend, you know that he is real and reliable.

In India, I was used to a huge variety of languages, customs, religions, etc. diversity, and this is not the case in Lithuania. However, you get used to everything, even the Lithuanian weather, because after summer the temperature does not immediately drop to -20. The weather cools down gradually, and everything is saved by the right clothes.

What would you advise to our new students which considering studying at the Vilnius Business College?

Be open. The most important thing is to stay focused on your long-term plans, to be active every day. Study as many different subjects as possible, make the most of all the opportunities – that’s how your studies in Lithuania will be memorable. If you see an opportunity, such as a job offer on LinkedIn, don’t hesitate to give it a try.

It is very important to make as many contacts as possible and to learn the Lithuanian language. Local people, seeing your efforts, will be happy to help.

When you come to Lithuania, don’t compare it with your country. It doesn’t do anything and it doesn’t help in any way. You cannot have one foot in Lithuania and the other in your home country. You have to live in the present, here, where you are now, in Lithuania.

Thanks to Mannh Kamble for the interview! We wish you success in your further studies!