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"World Lithuanian"/ "Pasaulio lietuvis" magazine shares an article about "Bring Together Lithuania" challenges and experience during the summer 2020

Original article in Lithuanian

English translation by KFF

For the third time in a row „Bring Together Lithuania“, together with the Kazickas Family Foundation, invited Lithuanian diaspora youth to Lithuania for summer internships, so they could gain professional experience, discover modern Lithuania and become young Lithuanian Ambassadors. Even though this year brought many new challenges due to the pandemic, “Bring Together Lithuania” team successfully continued its mission and invited a group of young Lithuanians from abroad to experience modern country.

Summer internship program, powered by the Kazickas Family Foundation, is in its third successful year already. It is also supported by the Lithuanian Foundation in the US.

“We believe that if we want to raise young Lithuanian Ambassadors, active global Lithuanians, we must offer them an opportunity to experience modern, innovative Lithuania. No matter the challenges of 2020, we are excited to welcome a group of young diaspora members to Lithuania this year again. The goal of a leadership program “Bring Together Lithuania” is to provide youth of Lithuanian descent professional experience and to show them modern Lithuania. They are offered opportunities to do their internships with the leading Lithuanian businesses, government sector, non government organizations and innovative startups. Additionally, there is an active schedule planned for the students – unique opportunities to discover today’s Lithuania, travel to the most beautiful sights, meet business and public sector leaders, explore Lithuanian identity, and to encourage them to contribute to Lithuania’s future with their own ideas,” program’s manager Kamile Naraite shared its vision.

This summer 12 motivated and amazing Lithuanians from Ireland, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ukraine, Switzerland and USA joined “Bring Together Lithuania” with a goal to gain professional experience and actively participate in various activities.

One of the participants Ieva Kinderyte who went to Ireland to spend just one summer 16 years ago, but unexpectedly stayed there, shared that she discovered a completely different Lithuania and its people today: “This program gave me a chance to meet many interesting, successful and motivating people. A visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs left a huge impression on me. It was really exciting to meet such positive and friendly global Lithuanians who became my friends from the very beginning. Because I love nature, I really enjoyed the trip to Trakai. Every time I go there, I always take a boat ride, and it was so much fun to enjoy it with a new team.  A day at the “Auto Moto Parkas” left quite an impression as well. The Center for Civil Education surprised me with its modern displays and amount of information provided. It was incredible to visit the places I’ve never been to and discover Lithuania that I didn’t know yet.

“Bring Together Lithuania“ participants got opportunities to do their internships related to their studies with various organizations and businesses, such as: ”Bankera“, “Civitta“, “CGTrader“, “CSD Engineers“, “Droplet Genomics“, European Commission Represantation in Lithuania, “HR Hint Online“, “Mogo Finance“, “Nasdaq“, “Girteka“, “Enterprise Lithuania“, Lithuanian Free Market Institute, Eastern Europe Studies Center, “Unnecessary Films“, Ministry of Health of Lithuania, Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania, Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania, VU Life Sciences Center, “Plazma“ Architecture Studio, Santara Clinic Child Development Center, “Suicide Prevention Center“, “Spectro Finance“, “Swedbank“, “TeleSoftas“, „”Western Union“.

Laura Stankeviciute, who studied in the UK, Netherlands, and did her internship in Switzerland, spent a lot of time in Lithuania this summer and was glad to join the program. Laura shared that “Bring Together Lithuania” helped her to see opportunities to create, live, work and grow in Lithuania. It showed her that there are many like minded global Lithuanians who passionately want to live here and contribute their talents. Such initiatives allow global Lithuanians to understand modern Lithuania’s market, meet different area specialists and other Lithuanian diaspora members. It not only helps to build new friendships and expand your network, but also inspires to generate new ideas for future projects.

“To be a global Lithuanian means to represent our country. It is quite strange that the further you go away from your Homeland, the more you understand what is truly important – Lithuania, Homeland, home”.

Tomas Sudnius, CEO of Mogo Development Hub (Africa & Central Asia) at Mogo Finance Company that has offices in 18 countries, was excited that this summer he invited Gerard Petkevic to join the team:

“”Mogo Finance“ is glad to participate in “Bring Together Lithuania“ program. We constantly search for employees who have a diverse cultural and professional experience, as well as different approach to business challenges. We take pride in being a Baltic company and want to contribute to help global Lithuanians to discover how interesting it is to work in Lithuania. We’ve been looking for students from abroad previously, but “Bring Together Lithuania” made our work much easier by presenting this opportunity in such a professional way. We hope to accept even more students next year. Gerard is working with our business analysts team at “Mogo Finance.” It is a great opportunity to learn more about us. Gerard has to analyze our data (quite often not perfect) and come up with a plan how to process and present it to his managers in a comprehensible way. Gerard prepared the reports on “Mogo” Kenya sales team effectiveness. We receive them every day via email and can evaluate now the effectiveness of any region, office or manager. All assignments are important and valuable. I truly appreciate Gerard’s curiosity and ability to find a solution.”

“Bring Together Lithuania” participant who’s been living in Ukraine for the last decade, currently studies at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and works at “Mogo Finance.” Gerard believes that “It is really beneficial for all global Lithuanians to participate in such initiatives as “Bring Together Lithuania” so they could learn about Lithuania not just from media articles or social media news, but by experiencing it in person. They would realize that young people of Lithuanian descent are welcome here. By participating in such a program you can learn so much about Lithuania and its business culture. I received so much professional and business experience at “Mogo Finance”, there is so much potential to grow here. I highly recommend it, because it allows you to meet people who want to work and grow professionally in Lithuania. Thanks to the program I realize that I want to come and live here next year after graduating college.”

Photos: "Bring Together Lithuania" archives