From Argentina and New York to 'Grand Hotel Vilnius': Global Lithuanians Discover Homeland and Five-Star Hospitality
Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Two young women of Lithuanian descent, one from Argentina and another from the U.S., are interning in Vilnius through the "Bring Together Lithuania" program.
- The program connects young people of Lithuanian heritage with internship opportunities in Lithuania, allowing them to explore their roots and gain professional experience.
- Both interns expressed a deep connection to Lithuania, with one describing her visit as a "return home" and the other finding the country exceeded her expectations.
The "Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio Collection by Hilton" is hosting two unique interns this year through the "Bring Together Lithuania" initiative: Agustina Cabrera from Argentina and Gabriella Avicolli from the United States. This program, supported by the Kazickas Family Foundation, aims to connect young people of Lithuanian descent worldwide with opportunities in Lithuania, fostering both professional development and a deeper understanding of their heritage.
My father attended a Lithuanian school, and today I feel a special connection with him in the Lithuanian community.
Agustina Cabrera, a 27-year-old communications specialist from Rosario, Argentina, felt a strong connection to Lithuania through her father's family and the active Lithuanian community there. "My father attended a Lithuanian school, and today I feel a special connection with him in the Lithuanian community," she shared. Her experience in Vilnius has surpassed her expectations, with the Old Town and Trakai Castle leaving her breathless. "It feels like living in a fairy tale," she remarked.
It feels like living in a fairy tale.
Gabriella Avicolli, an 18-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, has always valued her Lithuanian identity, participating in Lithuanian scouts and working at a Lithuanian camp. "When I first visited Lithuania, it didn't feel like discovering a new country. It was more like returning home," she recalled. This summer's experience has only deepened her bond with the country. She aimed to live in Lithuania rather than just visit, interacting with locals and exploring the streets, which made her feel immense pride in her roots. "Just thinking about leaving makes me sad," she admitted.
When I first visited Lithuania, it didn't feel like discovering a new country. It was more like returning home.
For Agustina, her internship at "Grand Hotel Vilnius" offered an inside look into luxury hotel marketing. "I had previously worked with various hotel chains, but I never had the opportunity to experience the five-star segment from the inside," she said. The hotel's general director, Sigita Rudzeviฤienฤ, expressed pride in the program, stating, "Young people from the Lithuanian diaspora bring not only their professional knowledge and international experience to Lithuania but also a sincere desire to get to know the country where their roots lie." She emphasized the importance of such initiatives in strengthening the connection between Lithuania and its global diaspora, showcasing Lithuania as a modern and open nation.
Just thinking about leaving makes me sad.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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