How to get there:

The nearest airports to Šiauliai: Riga (Latvia), Kaunas, Palanga and Vilnius.

• Vilnius International Airport – Distance from Šiauliai to Vilnius (capital of Lithuania) is 214 km. The most convenient way to get from Vilnius Airport to Vilnius railway station is to take a train (http://www.litrail.lt/wps/portal). The price for the ticket is 2,50 LTL. Tickets are sold in the train. Vilnius railway station and Vilnius bus station are in front of each other. Bus station is on the opposite side of street. The price of bus or train ticket to Šiauliai is about 40 LTL. Information about bus connections in Lithuania: http://www.autobusubilietai.lt/; train connection: http://www.litrail.lt/wps/portal.

• Riga International Airport – Distance from Šiauliai to Riga (capital of Latvia) – 128 km. Information on bus lines and schedules „Riga Airport-Riga City Centre“ available at www.rigassatiksme.lv and www.airbaltic.lv Information on bus lines and schedules „Riga city-Šiauliai city“ www.eurolines.lv and www.luxexpress.eu. There is no train connection with Šiauliai city.

Distance from Šiauliai to other Lithuanian cities:

Kaunas – 142 km

Klaipeda – 161 km

Palanga – 149 km

Climate

Weather in Lithuania can be compared with the climate of Great Britain or Sweden with a lot of fog and a great number of cloudy days for a year. We recommend to take an umbrella. In winter it is not very cold but sometimes frosts are strong and at the same time it is wet. In spring and autumn the average temperature is about 15C. The weather in summer is mild and rather warm, the average temperature is 17-25C.

More information about weather conditions you can find below

http://uk.weather.com/weather/today-Vilnius-LHXX0005?fromSearch=true

Time

Eastern Europe Summer time 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Safety
Lithuania is a regular European country. You can feel quite safe here but, as in all other countries, you should exercise common sense and know how and where to take care of yourself. In case of emergency, you should call 112, which is the emergency phone number for ambulance, police and fire brigades.

Šiauliai University students can use medical services, offered by the University Medical Centre as well as private providers. Foreigners are requested to make their own arrangements in respect of health and travel insurance.

Water and electricity: water is taken from deep underground in Lithuania, and is fresh and clean. Electricity is 220 Vs.

If you are a disabled person, do not worry, our University, most shops and public places are adapted for you. Also. Lithuanians are friendly and ready to help in case of anything.

Currency

The official currency in Lithuania is Litas (Lt). Currently the litas is pegged to the Euro at the rate of 3.4528 to 1.Currency can be exchanged at the airport and banks.

Shopping

Small shops are open 10:00 - 19:00 on weekdays and 9:00-17:00 on Saturdays. Most major shopping centres and supermarkets are open 8:00-23:00 daily.

Šiauliai University students have many sources of learning, entertainment, cultural and leisure activities. Moreover, they successfully compete in basketball, soccer, rugby and other competitions. The University has its own Art Gallery, Botanical Garden, Educational Theatre, TV and radio.

Accommodation

Šiauliai University Students' dormitory is situated in the centre of Šiauliai. The price for 1 person is around 70 EUR per month. Internet access in the room: 30 EUR per semester

• All students have possibility to live in students' dormitory, Dubijos st. 1b, Siauliai.

• Rooms are booked automatically by Department of International Programmes and Relations when Application form of Exchange student is received. It means that you do not have to fill in separate Application form for dormitory;

• After arrival students has to sign Dormitory Lease;

• The price for dormitory is around 70 EUR per month. The price might change according to an order of Siauliai University Rector;

• The payment must be done at "AB Siauliu Bankas" till the end of current month according to given receipt.

• All rooms are double – two students shares one room. Two rooms share a toilet and a sink. In the room you will find: closet, desk, chair, bed, reading lamp, blankets, linen and towels, dishware and cooking utensils. Bedding and towels will be changed fortnightly. Lavatories, shower-baths and kitchens will be regularly cleaned by cleaning women. Students may use washing machine. The price for one washing in one machine costs 8 Lt. Shower facilities are shared by all students on one floor. Each floor has a common kitchen with a stove, sink, an oven, a fridge.
• Internet: There is an Internet access in every room, so students may use their own computers in rooms. The price is 30 EUR per semester. This facility student can book in Students Representative (P. Višinskio 15A). Mentor will help you to book it.
• Information about hotels you can find in: http://www.lithuanianhotels.com/cities/Siauliai

Library

The library of Šiauliai University is one of the most modern academic libraries in Lithuania with 290 computerised workplaces (120 of them in a remote desktop mode), over 400 non-computerised workplaces, 5 rooms for group learning/seminars and 9 rooms for doctoral students and staff individual work and wireless Access to the internet. The library premises are accessible to persons with wheelchairs.

The library provides educational and information servines for University staff, students and public in general, traditional and on-line guidance and tutorials on e-cataloque and database search, information collecting, processing, systematising , storame, scanning, etc. 2 modern conference halls, 1 for 140 persons equipped for simultaneous translation, computerised individual work rooms can be booked in advance.

Canteens

Two University canteens provide hot meals, cold dishes, salads and desserts. Prices for the main course rage from 2,50 to 3,00 Euro.

At the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Social Welfare and disabilities Studies, P. Višinskio st. 25, 1 floor.

Preparatory Courses for foreign applicants in order to prepare them for International studies at Siauliai University:

Tuition fees are charged to all international students. The first year students are sent an invoice of tuition fee prior of visa procedure. The following tuition fees for one academic year are set:

! Tuition fees may vary due to changes in MSF (Minimum Subsistence Figure) or due to appropriate Senate resolution.

University account:

( ! ) The money transfer cost is paid by the international student.

Refund policy for International Students Fees
If a student's visa application is refused, a full refund of fees will be made (except 95 EUR application fee). Evidence of refusal is required.

Money When You Arrive

Students have to open a bank account in Šiauliai with the sufficient amount of around 3000 EUR per year (9600 Lt). The bank statement from the bank is required. All expenses related to extension of visa, copying literature, re-examination, and medical services are the responsibility of the student.

Academic Calendar

• Application deadline June 1
• The academic year starts in September
• The enrolment is extended due to a few vacancies left.

Academic Calendar

• Application deadline June 1 (could be prolonged)
• The academic year starts in September
• The enrolment is extended due to a few vacancies left.