The Lithuanian Wildcat

There are no prerequisites for becoming a Linfield University Wildcat. Students from all backgrounds and corners of the world can find their place here — including Kristijonas “Kris” Jakštas ’29 , an international student from Vilnius, Lithuania. Kris is majoring in sport management and is a member of the men’s basketball team.

Experiencing the U.S.

Leaving home to study in another country takes courage. Instead of opting for a short-term study abroad or a vacation, Kris committed to a long-term stay in the United States.

“I wanted to come to school in the United States because I wanted to experience a different way of thinking in a different environment,” Kris said. “I feel like the United States is one of the best countries for personal growth and has many opportunities.”

Linfield wasn't his first interaction with the States, however.

“It's my third year here, and I love every second of it,” he said. “I spent the last two years at San Domenico School in California and then moved here this year. I've met tons of people, seen a lot of new places, been part of a lot of events, tried some new stuff — and I hope to extend my time here as much as possible!”

When it came time to choose a college, he had plenty of options. But Linfield stood out.

“I picked Linfield mainly for athletics. I wanted to play basketball and compete in track and field,” Kris said. “It has competitive programs with great coaches and high-quality facilities that are helping me to grow as an athlete.”

What sealed the deal was his campus visit.

“What stood out to me this past spring was the beauty of the campus and the friendly community,” he said.

The warm welcome continued once he arrived.

“My experience so far has been good,” Kris said. “I’ve met lots of new people who became my friends. I'm trying to figure out the planning process of being a student athlete, and I think it’s going well. Classes seem fun and entertaining with helpful professors, and the basketball season is not easy, but it seems exciting. I'm grateful and happy to be part of this university.”

Home vs. Linfield

Living abroad has helped Kris notice the differences between the United States and Lithuania — academically, culturally and geographically.

“I'd say there are a lot of differences,” he said. "The most notable ones would be different environments, mindset and size.”

“In Lithuania, the environment was harsh. I took tons of different classes with a huge workload. In the U.S., students have more opportunities to take classes they like and analyze the material more in depth.”

He also notices contrasts in the mindset.

“In Lithuania, people often think that someone judges them for the way they look or do things. A lot of people have a mindset of winning or succeeding through harsh lenses by testing others if they can perform under pressure,” Kris said. “In the U.S., people don't care if someone is judging them. Their mindset is to teach through a positive lens by highlighting the strengths of a person.”

Geography brings its own surprises.

“Lithuania is a really small and flat country without any mountains,” he said. “The U.S. showed me how much diversity in nature there is. The size of everything here is just huge compared to Lithuania.”

At Linfield, the people make all the difference.

“My favorite part about Linfield is the community,” he said. "I’ve felt a warm welcome here since day one. All people I’ve met along the way have been friendly, caring and ready to help.”

He offered special praise to the student-athlete community.

“I want to shout out a whole men's basketball team for becoming my family here,” Kris said. "I also bonded with some friends from my classes who are mostly athletes playing another sport.”

Post-Linfield Dreams

With his degree underway, Kris is already thinking about what comes next.

“Ideally, I want to do something related to my beloved basketball,” he said. “I hope to be a coach or general manager of one of the professional basketball teams here or in Europe.”

He also encourages other international students to consider studying abroad.

“I think the benefits of getting an education abroad are huge,” he said. “You learn about a new culture, which helps you have a different perspective and mindset in life. You also find lifetime connections and friendships all over the world.”

But most importantly?

“Studying abroad is the best way to become independent and grow as a student, player and human being.”

Kris ended with advice for all Wildcats.

“I want to wish everyone at Linfield the bravery to find some new connections. There are lots of friendly people here.”

Because at Linfield University, anyone from anywhere can become a Wildcat. Kris is just one example of the many students who find a home here.