Onboarding

All first-time faculty and staff will go through Orientation. This includes information about the university and its mission, educational philosophy, relevant academic policies and procedures, and meeting colleagues. The dates are set in advance for mid-August and early January.

It is very important to review our introductory training session to learn about how LCC uses OneDrive & Teams.

WILL I HAVE AN OFFICE?
All faculty members will have an office in the faculty wing of the university. Most will share this space with one or more faculty members. Offices have a desk, filing cabinet, chair, bookshelves and a desktop computer with high-speed internet access. The administration/classroom/office building (DeFehr) is open on weekdays from 7:30 to 22:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 21:00.

WHAT TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT THE UNIVERSITY?
All classrooms have whiteboards plus an AV cart with LCD projector and computer. Most of the classrooms have Smart Boards. Four photocopiers/printers are available for copying or printing from faculty offices. Faculty computers are connected to these devices through the local network.

WHAT TYPE OF COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS IS AVAILABLE?
Wireless internet is available throughout the residence halls and all campus buildings, to include campus apartments. There are also computers with internet access in the student computer labs.

ARE OFFICE SUPPLIES AVAILABLE?
There is a faculty office supply cabinet, located near the HR office, that has various types of office supplies for shared use. The key to open the cabinet can be obtained from the DeFehr Front Desk receptionist. After taking the supplies you need, return the key to the DeFehr receptionist and list those items in the office supply log located at the Front Desk. Notebooks, loose-leaf paper, binders, paper clips, highlighters, scotch tape, staplers, pens, markers and white-out are all readily available. Europe uses A4 as its standard paper size so binders and folders are compatible with this size. Items such as Post-its, manila folders, staples and markers are sometimes limited. Additional office supplies must be ordered through the Department Chair and accounted for accordingly in departmental budgets. Individuals who wish to purchase their own office supplies can do so at a variety of stores in Klaipeda.

SHOULD I BRING MY LAPTOP?
Although you will have a computer accessible to you at the university, many expatriates find it helpful to have a personal laptop for use at home. Please remember an electrical outlet plug adapter to charge your laptop. You will find wireless internet available throughout campus buildings, residence halls, and many cafes in Klaipeda.

PHOTOCOPIERS/PRINTERS?
There are five photocopiers at LCC: two in the faculty wing, one in the administration wing, one in the Library, and one near the IT Helpdesk. LCC uses a centralized server-based system to operate its printers, so you can print the same document at any printer. You have to send the document to a server, called LCC Central Printing, and then use your LCC ID card at the copier for printing. Each department has a “student assistant” who can help with copying documents. If there is a problem with a printer, contact the IT Helpdesk right away.

WHAT TYPE OF DRESS IS APPROPRIATE FOR WORK AT LCC?
Professional “business casual” dress is expected for faculty members. Appropriate clothing for women includes slacks, skirts, blouses, and dress shoes. Men’s clothing includes slacks, shirts, and dress shoes. Clothing that is not appropriate for teaching would include t-shirts with writing, beach wear, or flip flops. Bring good walking shoes as there are a number of walking paths on campus and the surrounding residential area.

Preparing for Your Move to Lithuania

Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, so we’ve created a comprehensive checklist to help you prepare for your transition to Lithuania:

1. Submit Your Migration Documents
   Send your migration documents to the HR Engagement Specialist at bkaspare@lcc.lt.
2. Book Your Airfare and Organize Airport Pick-Up
   Book your flight using Egencia or arrange your own travel. Once booked, send your flight details to the HR Office at mwilliams@lcc.lt to request reimbursement. Additionally, email your travel itinerary to bkaspare@lcc.lt to arrange airport pick-up.
3. For Fundraising Staff Only:
   • U.S. Citizens: Provide your U.S. bank information to Susan Whidden (swhidden@lcc.lt) and complete the W-4 form.
   • Canadian Citizens: Provide your Canadian bank information to Hilly Edwards (hilda.edwards@lcc.lt) and complete the TD1 form.
4. Set Up Your LCC Email
   You’ll receive your login details with your Welcome Letter. Activate your email immediately, as you may begin receiving important communications before your arrival. For assistance, contact the HR Engagement Specialist (bkaspare@lcc.lt).
5. Explore the Employee Portal
   Familiarize yourself with resources available on the employee portal.
6. Secure Housing
   Work with the HR Engagement Specialist (bkaspare@lcc.lt) to arrange your accommodation.
7. Set Up Banking
   Refer to the Expatriate Banking Guide and open a Paysera account using your U.S. or Canadian passport.
8. Prepare for Phone Connectivity
   Review the Expatriate Cell Phone Guide under the “Communications” section. Ensure you have access to a U.S. phone number while in Lithuania and check with your provider to unlock your phone for international SIM card use.
9. Register with the U.S. Embassy
   Complete your embassy registration if you’re a U.S. citizen.
10. Organize Medical Prescriptions
    Arrange for any required medications to cover your initial stay.
11. Prepare for Receiving Packages
    Share the Lithuanian mailing address and the zero-value package declaration process with family and friends. Refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” section for more details.
12. Download Helpful Apps
    Set up key apps to make living in Lithuania easier. Popular options include:
    • Bolt, Uber (taxi)
    • City Bee (car-sharing)
    • KKT Bus Pass (public transport)
    • Trafi (transportation planner)
    • Barbora (grocery delivery)
    • Wolt (Food delivery)
      
      This checklist will help ensure a smooth transition and an enjoyable start to your life in Lithuania!

WEATHER

Lithuania experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Summers are mild to warm, with average temperatures ranging between +17°C and +22°C (65°F to 75°F). Summer days are particularly long, with up to 19 hours of sunlight. Winters can vary significantly; temperatures in Klaipėda, a coastal city, typically range from -5°C to -1°C (22°F to 31°F). Klaipėda is known for its windy conditions due to its seaside location. Rain is common throughout the year, and weather patterns can change quickly. It’s advisable to dress in layers and always have an umbrella or raincoat handy.

TIME ZONE

Lithuania operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is GMT +2. During Daylight Saving Time, from late March to late October, the country shifts to Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), which is GMT +3. Lithuania is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) in North America.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Lithuania, like the rest of Europe, uses the metric system. Distances are measured in kilometers, and groceries are sold by the kilogram and liter. Time is commonly communicated using the 24-hour clock format, which may take some getting used to for expatriates from countries using the 12-hour clock.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian, one of the oldest surviving Indo-European languages. While many Lithuanians, especially younger generations, speak English, expatriates may encounter challenges in certain situations, such as shopping or interacting with older individuals.

To ease daily living, it is helpful to learn some basic Lithuanian phrases, such as polite expressions (“please” and “thank you”) and your address for taxi drivers. Building a simple vocabulary of food items and numbers can also be beneficial for shopping and navigating daily life.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING LITHUANIAN:

• LCC offers an Intro to Lithuanian course, free for incoming staff and faculty. This course includes practical phrases and cultural insights.
• Orientation sessions at LCC provide opportunities to learn basic phrases.
• Receptionists at LCC can assist with translations, such as making phone calls for bus or train schedules or calling taxis.
• To arrange private Lithuanian lessons, contact the Career Development Center at 

  Packing & Luggage

  HOW MUCH LUGGAGE WILL I BE ALLOWED ON MY FLIGHT?
  Most airlines allow each passenger to check one 23 kg (50lb) piece of luggage, plus a carry-on bag on
  transatlantic routings. Check with your specific airline to confirm weight and size restrictions. Most people
  find that it is better to pack less than more.

  Be sure that your luggage is labeled clearly with your name, address and phone number. We suggest you pack a change of clothes, your laptop, and any needed medication in your carry-on bag. Luggage delays are not common but happen occasionally, just like anywhere else in the world.

  WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER BRINGING?
  Backpack/Canvas Bag: As you will be doing most of your traveling on foot, this will be essential for carrying
  groceries and books. Plastic bags are not free at grocery stores. A backpack or reusable canvas bag will
  come in handy, if you don’t want to continually purchase plastic bags.

  Rain Gear: The weather in Klaipeda can be rainy, so you will want something to keep you dry while walking. Umbrellas are useful on calm days but not when it is windy. A rain jacket with a hood may be a better option in these cases.

  Note: These items can be purchased in Lithuania unless you have brand name preferences.

  Kitchen Items: Measuring cups and spoons are hard to find. The stores typically carry food and seasoning items found in Western Europe. While these items are available in a few stores, they come in smaller quantities: brown sugar, chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.

  Tip from an LCC expatriate: Thank You Cards, index cards, English special occasion cards and tissue paper are very difficult to find here compared to the States. So, I bring a few of these items. Many staff/faculty find it helpful to bring index cards to make flashcards for language classes, or just for personal use.