| What made this project unique and interesting for you?
Kira: It all started quite unexpectedly – one day I just received an email message from a member of the Rostock Sailing Club. I’ve always been passionate about sailing, so I didn’t hesitate to join. What also appealed to me was the team’s vision for the project: they didn‘t want it to be just about sport. Together, we aimed to showcase sailing as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to explore the world.
Another special element was our collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW). They provided us with sensors for seabed profiling, which we deployed in different areas of the Baltic Sea. This data will be openly accessible to researchers and companies, acting as a valuable data source.
Rokas: I joined this project almost blindly – by invitation from Kira, who was the only person I knew in the crew. Earlier, I had taken part in another sailing trip with the Klaipėda University team and had a very positive experience, so when I heard this would be another sailing voyage, it was an immediate “yes” for me.
| Sailing is often romanticised and seen as a prestigious sport. What‘s your personal impression of it?
Kira: Sailing isn’t a luxury – it’s a challenge that teaches you trust and teamwork. For some participants, the EU-CONEXUS Sail project was their first time at sea. The Baltic Sea greeted us with storms and high waves, and almost everyone suffered from seasickness. It was physically demanding and exhausting, but these same challenges also brought us closer together.
I also learnt a lot from the German team. Their sailing club is over 100 years old, and what surprised me most was their internal culture. From my previous experience, most sailing teams have a captain in charge whose word is always final – this is very limiting to the crew. On this voyage though, I saw something completely different – the Rostock Sailing Club is run entirely by students, and they truly treated each other as equals, sharing all the responsibilities and celebrating the wins together.
| You spent the entire journey surrounded by people you had just met. How did that go?
Rokas: As soon as I met the KU crew for the first time, something incredible happened – within twenty minutes, we were already talking about philosophy and sharing personal stories. We still laugh about it today because it truly felt like meeting old friends after some time apart.
The same thing happened when we met the sailing team from Germany – there was an instant connection, a sense of closeness from the very start. Even during stormy nights at sea, when we were cold, wet, and sleep-deprived, we didn‘t lose that spirit. Instead, we shared jokes, cheered each other up, and even sang songs to pass the time until the storm cleared.
This wasn’t my first social experience like this – I also took part in the EU-CONEXUS Festival in Cyprus and was very surprised by how fast and well I connected with others there. Even though all of us were from different countries and cultures, within days we were already calling each other friends, and I am still in touch with many of them. I can’t quite explain how or why, but EU-CONEXUS somehow magically brings together curious, open-minded, and unique people.
| Now that the journey is over...what lessons did you take away from it?
Kira: I was truly inspired by the members of the Rostock Sailing Club. They’re all vegetarians or vegans, and everyone is strongly aware of their environmental impact. They choose eco-friendly transport for their travels and only fly when absolutely necessary. They were also very conscious about handling all the trash during the voyage and reused or repurposed everything they could to reduce waste. It was striking to see this mindset on a team level – they shared not only a common goal but also personal values.
Rokas: I was inspired by the openness of the German crew members. In Lithuania, we often stigmatise sexuality and other more personal topics – even among friends. Watching the Germans, I was surprised by how openly they spoke about self-acceptance, sexual orientation, and other topics that we often avoid or consider taboo. What struck me most was that personal views were never tied to a person’s intelligence or lifestyle. During this project, I realised that openness doesn’t distance people – instead, it makes them more interesting, diverse, and unique.
| What is your message to students who are considering joining their first international projects?
Rokas: Before this project, I didn’t really follow EU-CONEXUS opportunities – between studies, work, and student union activities, there wasn’t much time for it. After this project, though, I started paying more attention, and now I already have another EU-CONEXUS trip lined up for next May.
This one will take place in Galicia, Spain – we‘ll hike 100 km along the ocean coast. The goal is to raise awareness about environmental challenges and coastal preservation. It’s not too late to join this project, by the way – you can learn more about it here.
Speaking more broadly, even though new opportunities are always shared through EU-CONEXUS social channels, we’ve noticed that most of this information circulates among those who are already involved. To put it simply, every international project sparks a hunger for something more. It no longer feels like an obligation – because you know you’ll walk away with genuine friendships, memorable stories, and valuable knowledge.
Projects like EU-CONEXUS Sail don’t just open doors to new scientific research and valuable data – they encourage personal growth and create lasting connections. In this same spirit, Klaipėda University students are invited to take part in the 4th EU-CONEXUS Student Projects call and experience these transformative opportunities themselves. Learn more about this call here.
