Filipino Student’s Story: Discovering Lithuania Through Study

Every year, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) attracts students from across the globe. One of them is Jhanmy Krezxia Mancol Galleros, a second-year Nursing student at the LSMU Faculty of Nursing from the Philippines, who says she has found not only a high-quality education but also an entirely new and unique cultural experience.

A childhood dream

“From the age of five, I would watch cartoons related to medicine. I found them fascinating. My family and I often discussed this topic, and I realised that I wanted to work in the medical field,” recalls Jhanmy Krezxia Mancol Galleros.

Although she dreamed of becoming a doctor as a child, over time she came to understand that the most important thing was choosing a path that would match her strengths. That is how she discovered nursing.

“Nursing enables me to combine my love of science with the opportunity to help people. It is also very closely connected to the field I dreamed about as a child,” she says.

Choosing a university

According to Jhanmy, selecting a university was far from easy. After comparing various European universities online, she and her parents ultimately decided that Lithuania was the right choice.

“LSMU stood out because of its high academic standards, practical training opportunities and welcoming environment for international students,” she shares her impressions.

Challenging but rewarding studies

According to the student, her first year of studies was demanding. The greatest challenge was not memorising information, but understanding it and being able to apply it in practice. However, clinical placements proved to be her greatest source of motivation.

“Working alongside professional nurses helped me gain confidence. During my placements, I realised just how important it is to be able to apply knowledge in real-life situations,” emphasises Jhanmy Krezxia Mancol Galleros.

With a smile, she also recalls an amusing incident from an anatomy class when she confidently stated that the brain was located in the peritoneal cavity, despite not even knowing at the time what the peritoneal cavity was.

Cultural differences

Life in Lithuania brought a significant cultural change for the young student. Having come from a tropical country, she saw snow for the first time and experienced all four seasons. What surprised her most, however, was the reserved nature of Lithuanians.

“In the Philippines, people are very open and friendly towards strangers. I quickly realised that in Lithuania people are simply more reserved and private,” she says.

Despite these cultural differences, she describes Lithuania as a safe and peaceful country. Her favourite place in Kaunas is undoubtedly Laisvės Avenue, the city’s central pedestrian boulevard. She has also been impressed by Lithuania’s natural beauty, architecture and local cuisine.

Jhanmy encourages international students to be open to challenges and to make an effort to learn the unique Lithuanian language.

“Communication with patients is extremely important, so even a basic knowledge of Lithuanian can give you greater confidence,” she concludes.