Bridging Cultures and Knowledge: Mate Liszi’s Inspiring Visit at Šiauliai
Mate Liszi, a lecturer at the Department of Telecommunications at the Hungarian Szechenyi István University, delivered lectures at Šiaulių Valstybinė Kolegija / Higher Education Institution from November 18 to 29.
The lecturer shared his experience:
“I arrived in Riga at 13:40 on November 15 and took an Ollex bus to Šiauliai. The trip was smooth and pleasant. Upon arriving in Šiauliai, I used a Bolt taxi to reach Aušros al. 40. The Faculty of Business and Technologies conveniently has its own accommodation in the same building, which is an incredibly useful feature. This saved me time and effort, as I didn’t have to commute far to hold my courses.
I obtained my access card from an automated system, guided by instructions from Ms. Augustina Norkutė, who had emailed me prior to my trip. She not only provided access details but also shared excellent dining recommendations. After settling into my room, I followed her advice and went to Bleu de Frenkel. The building was striking, but the real surprise awaited inside. The restaurant was stunning, and, being a Saturday evening, there was live music, which made the experience truly special.
Throughout my stay in Šiauliai, I attended multiple musical events. On November 19, I visited the concert institution Polifonija for a beautiful performance by Agnė Matulevičiūtė and Marta Finkelštein, titled “Dear, Dear”, which featured piano, synthesizer, and theremin (a real electromagnetic black magic instrument) music. On November 24 at 1:30 p.m., after the holy mass, I attended a concert titled „Giesmė mus kelia ir gaivina“ at the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On November 29, I had the pleasure of attending a performance by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, directed by Uli Plettendorff, which took place in Šiauliai Arena. All these events showcased the city's vibrant cultural life and left a strong impression on me.
In terms of dining, I explored several restaurants, including Bleu de Frenkel, Joker, Grill London, Čili Pica, and Leja. I also visited the “Rūtos” Chocolate Museum, where I indulged in some of their chocolates and purchased a few to bring home as souvenirs.
On November 20, I visited the Galimybių Festivalis TAVO PIN KODAS 2024 at Šiauliai Arena. This event, organized by Šiauliai State College, targeted the region's youth and was full of engaging activities. Ms. Guoda Kačinskaitė crafted beautiful, hand-drawn badges for the attendees, including one for me. The festival featured a lively hip-hop concert and interesting displays from institutions like the army and forestry services, as well as hands-on exhibits of various tools and instruments. It was a fantastic initiative to inspire and engage the younger generation.
On November 22 and 23, I rented a car from Automobilių nuoma Šiauliuose DonAuto for a trip to Riga. While in Riga, I attended a Verdi opera, Nabucco, at the Latvian National Opera. The performance was incredible, particularly the famous “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves”, which left a lasting impression. The following day, I visited Jūrmala and experienced the Gulf of Riga. It was snowing that day, creating a mesmerizing scene where the sea met the snow-covered coast.
On the way back to Šiauliai on November 23, I stopped in Jelgava for lunch at Viedi Restorāns, a charming, family-oriented restaurant with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Before returning to Šiauliai, I visited the Hill of Crosses, a deeply moving and sacred site. The sheer number and variety of crosses made a profound impact on me.
Throughout my stay, I was well supported by the organization led by PhD Ingrida Vaičiulytė and Pro-Dean Remigijus Juknevičius. Their guidance ensured the quality of my work and teaching experience. Colleagues like Dr. Donatas Dervinis and Dr. Saulius Niauronis were instrumental in providing the necessary tools, including a Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyzer. This instrument will be an invaluable asset for teaching electromagnetic measurements and creating practical examples for students to develop their skills in measurement techniques. I must also express my gratitude to the cleaning ladies at the reception. They were always kind and helpful, assisting me with pens and keys whenever I needed them. Their friendliness added a warm and welcoming touch to my stay.
Lastly, but certainly not least, the students were highly engaged and inquisitive. They asked numerous insightful questions, and we had meaningful discussions. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn made my teaching experience incredibly rewarding.
I am looking forward to finding ways to contribute to the students' knowledge and development at SVAKO, and I hope to return as soon as possible to continue this collaboration.”
The lecturer's mobility was financed under the cooperation program of the Šiauliai City Municipality, higher education institutions operating in its territory, the Šiauliai Technology Training Center and educational institutions "On the provision of support for students and guest lecturers studying engineering and computer science in the city of Šiauliai in 2024".
