About sbdagape

Status:

Expatriate  

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Kaunas, Lithuania

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Lithuania: Selling lots of home items!!!!:

Is the bike still available? What kind is it and how much do you want?

Lithuania: Long Term Rental Websites:

Hi Brandon, See if this website will help: http://en.aruodas.lt/namu-nuoma/siauliuose/ Renting a "butas" (apartment) can be very inexpensive by American standards. Renting a "namas" (house) will be a bit more. However, this website will give you both options and is available in English. Good Luck and enjoy Siauliai!

Lithuania: Learning the language:

Hi Jasmine, It's been a long time since we have communicated on this forum. I now live in Lithuania and understand exactly how you are feeling. I, too, understand far more than I can say, and was embarrassed and found it difficult to try to speak to people in my limited Lithuanian. However, here's what I found out. Lithuanian's are extremely forgiving of bad Lithuanian. As I go about my daily business (shopping or whatever), I often begin by saying "Atsiprašau, bet aš nekalbu daug lietuviskai". Then I look at the person rather sheepishly and try my best to say what I want or need. They ALWAYS say, "you speak good Lithuanian!". Trust me, I don't. My point is that the Lithuanian people know how very difficult the language is to learn and really appreciate and respect those who try to learn it. Also, in this day and age, I ofteb detect a bit of embarrassment on their part because they do not know English (the new world language). Just push through it and you will be surprised how well things go. As for the learning materials, My favorite is "Colloquial Lithuanian" by Meilute Ramoniene. It has audio to go with it. The dialogues are very useful and practical and has a fabulous section on pronounciation. I listened to the dialogues over and over again while driving to work and they really stuck in my head. The other book I like, more for grammar and declension is "Beginner's Lithuanian" by Leonardas Dambriunas. However, this book does not have audio. Oddly enough, the other thing I use alot is google translate, just to look up words or phrases that I use alot and commit them to memory. However, check these with your husband because google translate is notoriously wrong. Best of luck to you!

Lithuania: Lithuanian Citizenship claims:

Hi. We just put in a similar claim directly to the Migracija office in Vilnius. They said is would take a year but didn't mention anything about a backlog. Given that you are applying from the U.S. I'm not surprised at how long it has taken. Things move very slowly here. It's the nature of Lithuania. However, we haven't gotten any sense that they are not interested. I've just gotten my permanent residence card and it took lots of time and beaurocracy. But American's seem to be welcome here when they have Lithuanian roots. I suspect your paperwork will come through soon. Are you planning to move here? If so, your physical presence would probably help the process. I hope this helps.

Lithuania: Lingua franca in Lithuania:

If I may offer a different perspective... I am an American living permanently in Kaunas and trying to learn Lithuanian. You are correct that anyone over the age of about 40 had to learn Russian growing up. Unless they sought to learn English for some professional reason, they will not understand your English. This includes some vital contacts like the experienced electrician, plumber, etc. etc. Anyone over the age of 50 will definately know Russian and you can converse with them to practice the language. I have had a very difficult time communicating with this entire generation (which happens to be most of my husband's family). I, myself, am in my 50's, so the only people I can talk and make friends with are more my son's age. I think you will be fine not knowing Lithuanian while you are here as long as you spend your time with other students and in restaurants and shops where employees are young people. You probably won't need the plumber. LOL. As for the value of Lithuanian, although it is a fascinating and beautiful language, once you leave here, you will never use it again. Russian, on the other hand, will likely be very useful for your future. If it were me, I would study Russian. Be aware, both languages are very difficult to learn for those of us who learned latin-based languages. The structure is completely different and hard to wrap your brain around. Just my opinion....but I did ask my Lithuanian husband and he agrees. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Lithuania: Lack of activity on this forum:

Interesting perspective on Lithuania. Actually, the reason I don't post to this forum much is because it is always so negative about Lithuania. I am from America and I love it here. The people in my area have been very warm and welcoming. The young people speak some english and are always receptive and kind to any attempt that I make at speaking Lithuanian. Maybe if the blog could focus on the good experiences that expats can have in this country, it would have more activity. I'm just sayin...

Lithuania: Moving to Lithuania - Advice:

Hi Jasmine, I am in the same situation as you. I moved here 4 months ago and I am very happy with my decision. The answers to your questions lay in your reasons for moving here. First of all, are you already in Europe? I moved here from the US and it has taken all this time to just get my residency card. The job market is still very tight. Even the locals will tell you that you need to know someone to get any job here. Be aware that minimum wage is 300 euros per month. That is all the stores, restaurants, and skilled labor jobs will pay. It is considered to be a living wage and there are very few of them available even for the locals. Without a good command of the Language, it would be very difficult to find work. However if your husband has family here and you already have a place to live, you could actually get by for a period of time on his salary alone. Food and utilities are very cheap compared to the US, with the exception of gas and oil. So if you are in a butas, it can cost a fortune. If you are in a sodas, or country home, with a wood stove for heating, it could be very inexpensive to live. Plan to come with some savings; we could never have made it this far without that. Many people who move here from the West do so with a plan for sustainable living. Most of my day is spent gardening, canning, and tending animals. That's a full time job in itself. It is hard work, but fulfilling. If you are looking for an American or British lifestyle in LIthuania, you may be sorely disappointed. If you want more details, feel free to email me directly.

Lithuania: Native English speaking students in Lithuania ?:

Hi Nerka. The purpose of your post didn't get lost. My family will be moving to LT from the US within the year. My son and his girlfriend will be students in Kaunas. I am more middle aged and my husband is a Native Lithuanian and the reason we will be moving there. We have family and property there, but contacts with other native English speakers who are trying to adapt to the Eastern European culture and mindset can always benefit from some english-speaking friends. What did you have in mind as an income opportunity? By the way, I totally agree with your opinion of some of the previous posts. The problem with most Americans and Western Europeans is that they expect Lithuania to be just like them; they are not. Eastern Europe has a totally different mindset. If it was like the US, I would just stay here. Lithuania is beautiful and unique in it's own right.

Lithuania: Teaching English in Lithuania:

I am an American living in Lithuania and quite happy here. Rikmo should just leave if he is so miserable. As for the job situation, English teachers are needed here. Are you willing to live in Kaunas? Do you have housing available? Vilnus is probably saturated and the rest of the country needs good teachers. Everyone here wants to learn to speak English. Children are started in private schools at 5 years old. The work situation here has improved quite a bit since you started posting in 2012. The salaries are low country-wide but so is the cost of living. If you have a roof over your head, the salaries are adequate for comfortable living. If not, it could be tough. I would need more info to better help you. Email me privately if you are interested.

Lithuania: Americans or Brits in Vilnius?:

I'm one of those people who is married to a Lithuanian. I still live in the US but I've been to Lithuania several times. My observation has been that in Vilnius, you can usually find a younger person who speaks English so getting around isn't too difficult. However, once you leave the capital, things change dramatically. Now the Lithuanian children learn English in school. That started after the fall of the Soviet Union. So people under age 30 usually speak good English and no Russian at all. On the other hand, the older people- i.e. over age 50, usually speak no English at all. My husband speaks Russian as a second language and English as a third, so we can get around pretty well. Also, remember, Lithuanian is a very ancient and difficult language to learn. This is because there is no Latin root and therefore no basis to hand new words on and help you learn new words. Structure is totally different from the latin based languages. I have been trying to learn the language for several years and it is very slow going. Nevertheless, Lithuania is a beautiful country with many honest, friendly, down to earth hardworking people in it (although you may have to leave Vilnius to meet them). I plan to retire there in a few years.

Date Joined:

10/15/2009

Total Posts:

15

Posts/Day:

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