The protest and unrests in Belarus started even before the presidential elections. But after rigged elections unrests become larger. Thousands of people were arrested, used for physical violence and coercion. Hundreds of young people started to search ways to leave the country and build their future outside Belarus.
By the decision of the management of Vilnius University, which has always been friendly to foreign students, was initiated a program at the university to encourage Belarusian students to choose to study in Lithuania. Scholarships, integration in science and society - such assistance was offered by the Vilnius University to students from Belarus.
Several students from Belarus also chose to study at the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences. After passing self-isolation, they were able to integrate into the study process. And our new Pharmacy chemistry master degree student– Dmitrij Gritsok agreed to answer a few questions about his life in Belarus, integration in Lithuanian society and university and to tell his opinion about chosen study program.
Tell about your life in Belarus? About your studies/school?
My name is Dmitrij and I am 21 yo. I am an ordinary guy from Minsk, the capital. I entered the Chemistry Faculty of the Belarusian State University in 2016. My specialty is “Chemistry. Environmental protection”, although I really wanted to become a pharmacist, unfortunately I did not have enough points to get into this specialty. I never thought that this goal would come true, but in 4 years, when I will enter Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Vilnius University.
I have always strived for knowledge, even in high school I really liked the natural sciences, which prompted me to study chemistry. From the first year of university, I tried to study well. I went to Erasmus in Finland (Technological and Chemical faculties) and Portugal (Medicinal and Agricultural faculties), after which I got some practical skills, practiced a couple of languages, and learnt how to survive alone in other countries.
In my 3rd year of the university, I realized that I wanted to get a PhD, for which I had to pass through a long way and hard work, including a master's degree. So, I got a bachelor's degree with distinction and I applied to a master's degree in Belarus. I planned to get a master's degree (1 year) in Belarus, to work 2 compulsory years and get a PhD at a European university. However, the protests changed everything. I realized that I will not find a good job in Belarus in the near future. I realized that I would not be allowed to study for a master's degree because of the army, as the Belarusian army is absolutely useless, unless you want to learn how to professionally sweep the streets or disperse the protests of civilians fighting for freedom.
That is why I terminated my master’s degree in Belarus and decided to leave the country regardless of tuition fees because of refusal of compulsory job and for criminal liability because of the army. And I do not regret it. I am absolutely sure that Vilnius University will give me a lot of opportunities to develop my potential and I will be able to benefit society in the future.
How all situation in Belarus affected your life?
The protests began a long time before the elections. The negative behaviour of the government towards the Belarusian people was felt even before the mass protests. The list of exemptions from the army was reduced several times. Graduate studies were no longer exempt from the army. Compulsory work after the bachelor’s degree, which contradicts the Bologna process, has not yet been cancelled. The Belarus has shown that the rights of the population are completely oppressed in Belarus and the judicial branch of power is controlled by an illegitimate president who commits the genocide of his own people.
In general, Minsk was once the good city. But everything has changed dramatically! The metro works, but only 5 days a week as well as mobile internet. All the best restaurants and cafes are closed. If you want to read independent newspapers, you need to help them with printing, because they are prohibited in Belarus. If you are walking outside, dress warmly to help keep you warm in the isolation-jail. If you like to ride a bike, there are many bike paths, but then you are a fascist. You can walk with a red-green flag, but not a white-red-white one. If an aggressive masked person without uniform comes to you, this is a policeman. If a mini-bus stops next to you, then run, very fast. In fact, you can walk around the city a lot, because all the prisons are already overcrowded, and you are unlikely to be imprisoned. Oh, yes, and coronavirus “doesn’t exist” here. Welcome to Belarus!
How do you find out about our University? Faculty?
I was looking for any program related to chemistry in any country where it was still possible to apply for a Master's degree in August. I found a couple of universities in Poland, Czech Republic and Lithuania. However, Vilnius University gives the opportunity to apply with documents issued in Russian language and without Diploma nostrification procedure, which really simplifies the process.
What were your first impression about Lithuania? Our University?
I have already been to Lithuania several times and I love this country. It has a mentality similar to Belarus, which makes it quite easy to integrate into society. However, the Lithuanian language is hard, which causes some small difficulties connected with job search.
My first impression of the University is its website itself, which has a very user-friendly interface and navigation. Everything has been clear and easy since the submission of documents. Also my faculty (Chemistry and Geosciences) is located in the city center, and it only takes about 25 minutes to get there from the dorm. Unfortunately, I was not able to get to know its infrastructure better due to the restrictions on the coronavirus, but I am looking forward to it (Anyway, VU library and scientific centers, which I am going to visit in the nearest future, look really cool)
Do you like studies in our University? What new you found out?
I really like the structure of the program and timetable. There is a lot of free time to prepare for the lectures, seminars, and to do homework. All the disciplines are really useful for further development of practical skills. The Master‘s topics sound cool and innovative. VU also gives an opportunity to work in the laboratory using modern analytical techniques and equipment. I am going to start doing GC-MS analysis for my thesis at the FTMC in a few days. The main difference of the Master‘s program in Lithuania (If to compare to Belarus) is in the teaching methods: a lot of time devoted to self-studies, where the motivation for studying is student‘s desire. I really appreciate how study process is organized and grateful for this fantastic opportunity for belarusian students.