Between three countries, a young Lithuanian finds her way home
20-year-old Sofija Kaniauskaitė, raised in Northern Ireland and now studying in Croatia, spent this summer living independently in Lithuania for the first time, interning at Kaunas University of Technology.
When asked where she is from, 20-year-old Sofija Kaniauskaitė rarely gives a simple answer. She moved to Northern Ireland at age five and spent most of her childhood there before heading to Croatia to study digital marketing in Zagreb. This summer, for the first time, she returned to Lithuania for an extended stay, taking an internship at Kaunas University of Technology's International Relations Department and living independently in the country she has always considered home.
Growing up between cultures
At home in Northern Ireland, her family spoke Lithuanian, listened to Lithuanian music, and marked Christmas and Easter with traditional dishes. Outside the home, she took part in local life, celebrating Halloween and Valentine's Day with friends. She admits balancing both identities wasn't always easy as a child, but is now grateful her mother worked to keep Lithuanian traditions alive at home. Growing up in Northern Ireland's diverse society, she says, taught her to be more open-minded and accepting of others.
Croatia and the return to Lithuania
She chose to study in Zagreb partly because her partner, Filip, lives there — the couple have been together for nearly six years. Comparing the three countries, she describes Lithuanians as more reserved but straightforward, while Croatians tend to be warmer and more openly sociable. To her, Lithuania represents family, nature, and calm above all else.
Her decision to spend the summer in Lithuania was about more than professional experience — she wanted more time with relatives and a chance to test her Lithuanian language skills in daily life. During her internship, she worked with international students, helping with application questions and welcoming newcomers during Welcome Week, drawing on her own experience of having moved countries twice.
Living and working in Kaunas, speaking Lithuanian every day made her feel even more connected to her heritage. Arriving with low expectations, she discovered a calm yet lively city where urban rhythm blends with access to nature. She has one more year of her bachelor's degree in Croatia ahead, followed by a master's she hasn't yet decided where to pursue. For now, she says she would like both Lithuania and Croatia to remain part of her life, while staying open to other countries in the future.
