Mentors Days 2012 has started on 18th of May with opening a registration at 10am, share of welcome packs and chatting with the cups of tea and coffee. Exhibition of Different Erasmus was opened as well. People were invited to enjoy moments captured in photos sent to us by past and present Erasmus students. Everything what MD participator could see alive may be found here.

Program has started at 10:30 with an opening word by ESN Lithuania president Gintarė Vaiginytė and Education Exchanges Support Foundation Director Daiva Šutinytė. They were glad to see so many active volunteers in one place already for the 3rd time since Mentors Days are happening for the 3rd time (2008, 2010) as well.

Later we have continued with presentation by Ilona Kazlauskaitė, who presented activities of Education Exchanges Support Foundation, possible mobility programs and all the possibilities connected to this institution. Then stage was given for ESN Lithuania, represented by the Board members. Our NR Ieva Vezbergaitė presented international level of organization, working methods, structure and opportunities of working inside the Network. National Public Relations Officer Sandra Baltkojytė talked about national level of our organization, our inside structure, ways of communication, mean of NP and other things, conserning ESN Lithuania itself. President Gintarė Vaiginytė has finnished the presentation describing various projects, organized all around Lithuania by ESN.

At midday we were invited to a lecture about intercultural communication by VMU lecturer Aurelijus Zykas, who explained many possible differences in different countries like that thumbs up in some countries may refer to something even worse than showing middle finger here. After delicious lunch we continued with session about sensory marketing where unique examples and stories about uncrushable brands as Coca Cola or 4 ways how sound affects people were given. Then we continued with a break, which lasted for 3 hours and gave an opportunity for participators if not to visit a city with a beautiful castle, then enjoy SPA procedures. Evening of 18th invited everyone to a live performance of the band "Do NOT translate". Good old songs and something really new invited everyone to dance until late evening.

New day, new challenges. 19th of May with few more lectures has came. It has offered to listen about about public image of organization - thoughts, which were given by VU lecturer Vilija Gudonienė and will be useful for the future of ESN. Counting almost half of the week after the event we already may see some results here. From 12:20 lecturers and topics has changed. From communication to methods how NGOs should be organized and what are sponsorship opportunities by Martinas Žaltauskas. At the end of this session official and theoretical part of the event was over and only the most beautiful part was left - time of awarding the best of the bests.
 
First of all winners of the Different Erasmus were announced. IIIrd place for Justina Kraulėdaitė from ESN KTU, IInd for Modesta Gedminaitė from ESN MRU Vilnius and Ist for Justina Kozlovksa from ESN MRU Vilnius. Winners were selected after counting votes of Mentors' Days participators. Congratulations for once more! And those who haven't won... just check how much support have you gained on Facebook by your friends, families and people you haven't even met!
 
Different Erasmus was changed by Go Public awards. Here the best of 2011 from all ESN Lithuania were awarded:
- Best event: Bling Bling Party by ESN MRU Vilnius, ESN Vilnius University, ESN VGTU, ESN ISLB.
- Best new idea: ESN Diary by ESN KTU.
- Best photo: "Trakai" by ESN Vilnius University.
- Best social project: Help children with cancer by ESN VGTU.
- Best project of 2011: Cultural Nights by ESN VMU.
 
Day was coming to an end and after lunch only one activity was left. It was National Platform, which traditionally invited to discuss about the latest issues in organization.
 
Two days, hundreds of people. New ideas. Good old and recently met new friends. Active leisure and lovely weather in a beautiful city. Experiences you won't soon forget. That's why it is worth to be an ESNer!

Photo album here.