SETTLING INTO LITHUANIA-MY FIRST MONTH HONEST REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- Hello everyone, welcome back to my channel!
For those of you who are just joining in, I'm Tolani Enwereji.
I've recently relocated to Vilnius, Lithuania, and after one month, I'm excited to share my experiences of living here with you. I hope you enjoy this video!
Thank you all for your support! Love, Tolani
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#foryou #lifestyle #lithuania #relatable #relocation #myexperience #fypシ #lithuanianfood #vilnius #vilniuslithuania #lithuaniaapartment #lithuanianlanguage #moving #education #satisfying #satisfyingvideo #lithuania #travel #moving
as a local i wish more people like you would come to my country. You are so likeable and smart.
thank you, i will make it my mission to share the beauty of Lithuania out there 🥰
Hey dude, I'm ethnically Lithuanian but don't live there. I'm actually planning to move (back) in a couple of years! So consider your wish granted :)
Hi...I am also planning to settle in lithuania, as I found it peaceful and beautiful, need more information, will u help
As a local guy, as a compliment, i think you look gorgeous. Regarding the climate, be prepared, it can be +5 one day during the winter, other -25, and half a meter of snow, and the entire city is stuck in traffic. Driving here during winter is also a lot different, as the roads can be extremely slippery even with good winter tyres. Autumn can be either really beautiful one year, warm and sunny, or non stop rain for 2 months straight. The best part about living here, no one is trying to scam or abuse you, and even if someone tries, other people will warn you, and make sure you don't fall into some sort of scheme. If you need help, people will help you regardless of your gender, color, nationality, religion or whatever. The main rule - if you are kind and friendly, people will be kind and friendly towards you :)
this is really helpful, thank you for this detailed information ☺️🙏🏾
have a blissful day
When you get accustomed to Lithuania, you should probably do videos of you visiting other regions of Lithuania, there is a lot of cool places to visit that sometimes beats the beauty of Vilnius.
thanks, i have just been to Trakai and it was pretty cool there too
some interesting places to visit that are small would probably be Druskininkai, Birštonas, that are not that far away from Vilnius@@heytolani
@@rbt658 thanks for this suggestion
Cold weather is actually ok in winter, you just grab a winter jacket and that's solved. What is not that ok is the length of the day, at least locals complain most about this. Sun rises at ~8:00-9:00 and sets on 16:00-17:00 so the daylight is very short and most of the day is dark. On the other hand you get almost infinite day in summers where sun sets at like 23:00 and starts rising again at 03:00 :)
i am excited to experience the winter here first hand, i do hope it snows a lot though 🥰 thanks for sharing
Welcome young beautiful lady, I wish you all the best in our country.
Thank you 🙏🏾🥰
you are amazing. I'm going for ten days at end of the month for cold days... but i'm so excited. thank you!
Good luck! 🇱🇹🫶
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience and welcome to Lithuania
Thank you 🙏🏾💐☺️
Lithuanians are far more welcoming if you speak Lithuanian. Acceptance of English being spoken only started with the influx of Ukrainian refugees. People will tell you it is a very, very difficult language with literally 1000+ endings to learn, but it is actually very easy if you know how. Of course, learning any language involves a lot of hard work because you have to learn vocabulary.
The cold in Vilnius is not bad because it is fairly dry. The important thing is to keep the wind away from your body so that a layer of warm air insulates you from the cold. And take small steps in winter so that your centre of balance stays above your foot. On slippery surfaces, do not even pick up your foot to take a step, just shuffle along.
thanks for this information, it was really helpful 🙏🏾🥰
Before I start forgetting more of my words...
The problem with not speaking the local language is that one understands the situation only superficially and without deeper explanations. You speak of racism. This is a real thing, but it does not exist here the way you think. You can get a job here in an international company, but if you go down to the local Maxima and apply for a job, you will be rejected. Why? Without speaking the local language, the chances of you staying long-term are small as they do not see an effort on your side. Even a spouse does not mean you will stay. You are also unlikely to accept the working conditions, namely 1/3 the salary of Western European countries, and are likely to join the multitude of other foreigners who have used Lithuania as a stepping stone to Germany, France, the UK, etc. On top of that, by law, every legal document has to be translated into at least English, if not your primary language. On the other hand, there are foreigners who have learned Lithuanian and become TV stars like Gian Luca. People here can be very open to foreign cultures. Remember, however, that the Russians spent nearly two centuries in Lithuania (starting in 1795), and it was a point of honour for them to not 'debase themselves with rubbish local languages like Lithuanian'. (Some have joined the Lithuanian community and fully integrated, but it is the ones who have not that are truly visible.) So by not speaking Lithuanian, you remind people of something they would prefer to never think about again, invaders, people who demand to be served without compensation. But how many of your English speaking friends can or wish to explain such things to you? I am not saying they are bad friends, but without a knowledge of the local language, you are not in a position to find proper sources, to do your own research. The result is that eventually you are very likely to become furious and be as hostile as you are friendly now.
You speak about dress. You are single and come from a culture where being noticed is important. I understand you like to be noticed and that is fine. But you have come to a place where the secret police for nearly two centuries were looking for people who stood out in some way, any way. Those people often disappeared, and not in a very pleasant manner. (Look at Ukraine today if you need further explanation.) People here do not try to stand out even now, in any way. For example, you can rarely hear what they are saying. On top of that, brightly coloured dyes require technological advancements that Russians were never interested in. People here were used to dying their own clothing using local natural resources, like indigenous plants. My wife also likes bright colours, so I understand your joy. The other day, I was standing back watching the trolley while she shopped. Suddenly a woman came up and slapped the man in front of me and told him to keep his eyes to himself. (Physical violence is unusual here.) Now if you come to an interview with a costume like in this video, do you think that that woman is going to hire you knowing that you are likely to run into her husband at some point in your career? And yes, women are often in management here and do well. @@heytolani
@@aSnailCyclopsNamedSteve Its not really that daunting :) I do agree with you on some things, but its not that intimidating. Everything becomes a lot easier if the locals see you trying. If they see you trying to adapt, they will help you. I believe its like that everywhere, not only in Lithuania.
Racism is not a huge deal actually, its only now because russians once again became a threat. People view them very suspiciously once again. And you explained very well why they do so. As for black people, its not really a racism, but rather a astonishment and curiosity, because a black person even in Vilnius stands out of the crowd, so people notice them a lot more. But if you notice people staring at you its most likely not because they are racist, but rather interested.
I must admit that I do not understand precisely what you mean by 'not that intimidating', namely, what specifically is not that intimidating.
As to helping, I have always found Lithuanians to be pleasant and helpful, the same as people elsewhere, so long as you are either a long-term or short-term tourist, basically a paying customer. But there is a wall in place because a person who does not speak the local language is generally ignorant of the local situation and rules. Imagine sitting down with a chess expert of some sort in order to play a game of chess and asking how the pieces move before play starts. I do not have any African blood as far as I know, but I do not dress or look like a local. So, to this day, I see a huge difference in reaction when I start speaking in Lithuanian with reasonable pronunciation. You reach another level when you say you are a returning member of the Lithuanian diaspora. But that latter is reserved for only a special few because so few have returned. When it was profitable to do so, most saw this as a primitive country in danger of a Lukashenka dictatorship and with few economic prospects and now it is expensive to move here as minimum wage is already a third of the most developed countries. Yes, the countryside is cheap but services can be rather limited there and things like advanced medical testing can be done only in a major city. And there is a shortage of affordable family housing in at least Vilnius. If you check an online evaluation service, the unit for sale is probably overpriced. Anything reasonable disappears almost immediately. But I have veered off course.
Yes, I agree that people who look and/or dress differently do garner looks. We have only started seeing dark skins in any numbers recently in Vilnius. And those looks are innocent, not hostile, as you wrote. To my knowledge, no foreigners have been accused of any heinous crimes inside Lithuania. The worst is spying and political manipulation by Russians and Russian agents. But I will have to add that according to one reliable person on UA-cam who follows the Ukraine conflict, a recent European crowdfunding event for kamikaze drones for Ukraine was heavily supported by Russians living abroad. I have no idea how this fact was determined but there are definitely Russians who do not support the recreation of an empire. However, Lithuanian broadcast news has changed and instead of reporting news, they have started focusing on viewer statistics, and that means creating scandal where there is none. So I would not say that the peaceful situation will last forever. We do not yet have a situation with a 100+ bombings per year (like in Sweden) or no-go foreigner urban zones, but the conditions exist for that to happen. This is not because either Lithuanians or foreigners are evil, but because insufficient communication is occurring.
But returning to the case in point. A person of colour is bound to notice the attention they attract. Initially, this can be flattering, esp. since the locals do not appear aggressive. But a person who stays here longer is also going to notice that people will sometimes avoid serving a person of colour or offer less service. (I see it in my own case as well.) I saw this a few weeks ago in Akropolis mall in Vilnius. Company policy had changed and people with only a residency card are now denied leasing services at that company. The clerk was tired of trying to explain this to potential clients and so she did not look my friend in the eye and did not offer much of an explanation. Fortunately, I was standing there beside him and because I spoke Lithuanian, she opened up to me immediately and gave me a full explanation. My friend was so angry it was all I could do to calm him down as he wanted the girl fired on the spot. (And no, my friend is not a hothead and the clerk was not prejudiced against foreigners.) I have been in my friend's shoes and it is not easy to look below the surface and see the real situation and this is what I am afraid will eventually happen to the poster here, esp. if she does not learn the local language or find a local friend. @@S3l3ct1ve
So cool! Keep update your experience about this country and let us know more about this country
Glad you like it 🙏🏾🥰 and i will
Hey Tolani ❤️…followed you from your turkey vlog days ❤️love your progress ❤
oh wow, good to still have you 🙌🏾 thanks for the support over the years 🥰💐
So glad you chose to move to our beautiful country, I hope people treat you right there
thank you 🥰🥰
2,8M people 🇱🇹
It's gonna be my first winter too im so excited for it ☃️ i hope I'll find lithuania great 😃
Me too, i think we Just have to be well prepared
Thank you for this video. I'm a Nigeria looking forward to relocate to Lithuania next year. Please can you guide me on what steps to take? Thanks for the video
As a Lithuanian, it warms my heart knowing that our people are making it easy for you to feel safe in this country. The older generation tends to be more conservative and I am sorry for any inconvenience they might cause you. But you are truly beautiful and as a local who travels a lot, I really believe that with every year Lithuania is earning the title of the best country to live in for anyone more and more! Thank you for sharing your experience ❤🇱🇹
this is wholesome, thanks 🫶🏾💐🥰
conservatives nera absoliutus rasistai... gan keistoka kad taip generilizuoja, net nereikia turbut klaust bet turbut pati liberal?
@@Ok-jh5el I am whatever brings peace xdd
jei tu uz taika, tai geriausiai net nelysti prie politikos, nes nesvarbu kur paziuresi, abidi puses pilnos siaubingu zmoniu@@augusteVFX
Don't bring the older people and conservativism into this. You can and should learn from at least the former. Racists gonna racist. From my experience the actual racists here are often young people with bad upbringing, morals and personal culture.
I love ur videos, tks for doing this. I'm moving to Vilnius too in some days, if u want we can meet some day - i'm brazilian, living in Portugal now.... and my boyfriend Russian. A big change for me too! I hope we survive the winter haha good luck
Good luck to us all, ofc we can, hmu on insta @heytolani 🫶🏾💐
Vilnius has quite high crime rate (see the map crime statistics). Only 6 Weeks summer and a lot of rain. And from today on there will be 5.000 german soldiers close to Kaunas (not bad - only expect more germans).
I think that the main issue for you in winter will be not the cold itself, but lack of appropriate clothes and shoes. You need to buy winter and spring\autumn shoes and clothes in advance. That is the key thing to surviwe winter :)
Just ask locals about their wardrobe for autumn (that's you first challenge) and winter (second priority after autumn and backup plan if it will be too cold for you)
thanks i’m on it
@@heytolani my pleasure :) Stay safe and enjoy the winter!
Last advice - do not buy winter shoes with high heels! It is dangerous, an easy way to fall. Good winter shoes are warm, water resistant, flat, a bit heavy (especially comparing to summer shoes) and not necessary nice
Am looking forward to come to lithuania through visit visa,I am not sure whether I can secure a job as driver through visit visa.?
Hi, please how can I relocate from the UAE to Lithuania
I wouldn't take the racist comments on the internet seriously at all. They are most likely left by alcoholics who don't actually care themselves and are just trying to be edgy lol(it is well known that we have a certain demographic of villagers and alcoholics who like to comment on facebook and no one ever takes them seriously). As a Lithuanian who lived in a lot of other European countries I can totally confirm that Lithuania is the most epic country in the world haha.
that is exactly what i an doing, being an influencer i an actually used to Negative comments….. thanks for your concern though 🙏🏾💐
Winter will be interesting experience for sure. This is a right month to look for warm clothes, I would advice you to ask the staff in a shops about what clothing to look for winter time, dont be afraid to ask stupid questions :).
I think racism shouldn`t be an issue. Lithuanians arent racist, well there might be some minorities, honestly I don`t know of any particular movement related to it. Its just that a black person in Lithuania is still a rarity especially in the countryside or smaller cities. And of course people will take notice of someone they do not see often. But its certainly not from the bad intentions. Rather a curiosity or interest.
thanks, i am already preparing
I just wanna know your visa experience from dubai to lithuania,
i chose not to talk about this because i am the wrong person to ask, i had a long term visa from Germany, so even though i was also living in Dubai, i just came here in Vilnius to apply for the Trc directly with no issues 🙏🏾💐
Well I just gained admission into a college in vilnius and I recently live in Oman.... that's why I asked since you went from Dubai
@@zycko7i moved from Dubai, but i didn’t apply in Dubai
@heytolani okay thanks for responding 🙂
Please am from Nigeria, can I come to Lithuania on tourist visa with #2m in proof of funds and is there any hope of getting jobs please
Can someone converted visitor visa to work visa??
perhaps, but i’m not sure
wow my beautiful sister my first time in your channel , I think it's God plan for me to come visit Lithuania I am so glad to see a black like me 😂 since am planning to visit with my daughter from South Africa. Thanks for sharing
is it possible to speak with you privately please
hello, i am happy my vlog help with your decision, we look forward to having you here 🥰
Beautiful girl 🌼🌺🌷
thank you 🥰
Can you also talk about taxes
Very nice and beautiful girl. Come and visit neighbouring Latvia/ Riga. I will show You around!
If some old people would call you N word just know that in Soviet times that word was common, but it didn't had any bad meaning behind it. Back in those days people knew nothing about slavery and all that stuff. So some old people still can use N word without understanding what it means in Western world and in Soviet Union it meant black person.
Talking about the weather there is no need to be afraid of -20 degrees, because it happens few days a year. But be prepared for dark winter as the sun shines only for few (like 6 or 7) hours a day.
Well, you're stunning, that's why you get compliments. I hope you have a good time here. Maybe we'll run into each other in Vilnius (my hometown), I'll say hi!
thank you and please do say hi if we run into each other, xx
Laba diena :)
labas ☺️
A guide how to survive winter:
* boots. Comfy, water proof, slightly too big, *water proof*, *non slippery*. NEVER go out in sneakers when it's close to a 0C. You might see people on the street in sneakers bu we, locals, mostly drive everywhere and spend much less time outside.
* same with jacket
* do look for stylish light reflectors
* Icy walking: engage penguin pose: slightly tilted forwards, small steps.
* thyme or raspberry leaf or Tilia blossom herbal teas. yummy and beneficial
* drink vitamin D
* Christmas lights from late november to early february makes wonders
* invest in hobbies indoors (f.e. sewing)
wow thank you so much, this is really helpful 🙏🏾💐💐☺️
@@heytolani Oh I forgot the whole face moisturizer lottery. Basically You don't want a water based in negative temperatures, but I myself struggle to find one that would fit my needs.
And one more - a good rule of thumb - if in doubt, buy winter apparel made in Scandinavia (+Finland). Expensive, but worth it.
@@UtamagUta Okay 😉😌
I don't think that Lithuanians are racist at all. At least not openly or violently.
Most clashes that may seem racist are probably cultural, I believe that every person that is visiting or living in other country, firstly have to respect local people people, culture, rules and laws. And will get same from locals. At least that's what I do and have experienced in my 40+ travelled countries.
Interesting fact you dont know. The "N" word in lithuania (Negras, Negre, Negrai) has no bad or insulting meaning, it is simple description same as Asian etc. Opposite, if some will call you "black" in lithuanian (juodis, juode, juodziai) thats an insult!
Shocking!
In many European languages the N word is the appropriate word to describe black people, and it is not offensive. Although there are offensive variations of this N word as well.
In lithuania it is still quite appropriate to use the word and not offensive, as long as your not around a black person. But I think in around 5 years or so the younger generation will make it a terrible word to say
@@ImapUssay64 but why it is terrible?
Why should people in Europe change own languages to align with questionable USA policies, and do it only for one race?
It is crazy.
I personally very tolerant to foreigners of all races and colors as long as they respect culture and language of country they are visiting.
@@avishnevsky7394 that’s why I said the younger generation are making it terrible bc their woke culture
@@avishnevsky7394 I litterally said what your saying
In lithuanian negras just means a black man, but it sounds like the n word. We never had any slaves here, so there's no stigma to that word. However people who are more aware tend to avoid that word no to cause confusion.
sorry but why you think people are not alowed to judge your clothing style? You think you are some cinde untouchable?