Aiva Eindorfa, 24, is from Latvia, Riga. This year she is one of the 325 students that spend July in Klaipeda, Summer Language Institute (SLI). Klaipeda is a town in Lithuania by the sea. SLI is a part of English language courses in Lithuania Christian College.



Aiva lives in the dormitory with another two girls from Latvia. She likes her roommates. “We are having a fun time together!” Aiva is a student and she also lives in the dorm in Riga. She says, “Our room in Klaipeda is bigger, than in Riga.” Girl says that she likes living in the dormitories although, there is one free bed in their Klaipeda dorm room and sometimes the Dorm Staff puts in guests in their room and everybody walks through and that disturbs her peace or usual daily activities. Spare time after school they spend together taking a walks, going to the beach or as in one of the weekends – going to the Klaipeda Jazz Festival.

She chose to come to SLI because English was necessary for her job, she says, “I finished high school six years ago and now I have to improve my English for my job.” She does not have a chance to use English. Information about SLI she got in one conference. There she met a woman from Russia and this woman told about English courses in Lithuania. Aiva likes teachers here, she says, “I like methods they use for teaching us. They are different from methods I have seen in Latvia. Teachers want everybody to participate in the class activities.”

Aiva says, “I don’t have a much of spare time, but when I have, I spend it in the dorm watching movies or go to the sea.” That is a good entertainment after long hours in classes. Last weekend she was in Nida with her friends. This is a little town about 50km from Klaipeda. They spent nights in tents telling stories and laughing by fireplace. The girl liked Barbeque evening. Although she did not get any barbeque, she liked “playing basketball, country dancing and friendly atmosphere between students and teachers.” Last week was “SLI Talent night”. People gave performances singing, dancing, playing theatre, showing tricks with cards and others. Aiva says, “I admire people that can perform on the stage. I could not do that.” Also the adds, “That is nice that administrative staff has thought about interesting out-of-school activities – Tea & Games, Cookie evening also Country dance lessons and sports.”

Soon she has to leave Klaipeda. Aiva says, “I will probably miss the speaking in English with teachers and other students in my group. If only I could take them with me to Riga.” During these 3 weeks she got used to her classmates. When she will return at home, Aiva will be able to tell stories and share experience from SLI. When I asked if she might return next year on SLI, she said, “Yes, I like to be here. It is a nice place to return. I am glad that I have a chance to spend my vacation in such friendly and varied atmosphere!”