Hi! I'm Jan Nanit. I graduated from Philippine School Doha in Qatar in 2024 after completing the K-12 curriculum. Today, I'm studying Aviation and Aerospace Engineering as a Junior at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, also known as Vilnius Tech.
Raised Under the Runway
I grew up next to an airport. Literally.
My childhood home was right beside Hamad International Airport, so airplanes were never just something I saw from a distance. They were part of the background of my everyday life. I grew up hearing the growl of engines overhead as the aircraft took off and landed at different hours of the day.
Over time, I became fascinated by the aircraft themselves. There was something almost surreal about watching these massive machines lift off the ground and disappear slowly into the sky while carrying hundreds of people toward places I had never been.
And, of course, you can't talk about aviation without mentioning pilots. There is just something about seeing a pilot walk through an airport in uniform that makes them look effortlessly cool. They have a certain aura and charisma that, as a kid, I couldn't help but admire.
This fascination stayed with me. Long before I knew I'd eventually study aviation, airplanes had already been a familiar part of my life.
Academic and Extracurricular Profile
By the end of Grade 12, I had received the Gold Academic Award, which was given to students with a general average between 96 and 100 based on PSD's grading and awarding scale. I also took the SAT and scored 1180, which was enough for me to apply to De La Salle University without taking its entrance examination.
Outside of academics, I was involved in a few extracurricular activities. In Grade 11, I joined PSD's Safety Squad, an organization responsible for promoting safety and assisting with emergencies during school events. Eventually, I became the organization's Vice President.
In Grade 12, I also joined Project ECO, one of the school's first environmental organizations that was student-led, where I was appointed as the leader of the social media team. My role involved managing the organization's online presence and promoting its environmental initiatives.
Outside of school, I played basketball recreationally with my friends around the Madinatna neighborhood. I also played a little tennis whenever I had the chance.
Plot Twist: Lithuania
The funny thing about this entire story is that my decision to study in Lithuania was extremely random and spontaneous. I had never even considered applying abroad because I had always assumed that studying overseas would be too complicated and expensive.
One of my friends, who is also currently studying in Lithuania, once asked me to help edit his motivation letter. While helping him with this letter, I discovered that the program I wanted to pursue was actually offered in Lithuania and, more importantly, was taught entirely in English. It checked all the boxes I was looking for, so I asked myself, "Why not?" Before I knew it, I was applying to a university in a country I had never even considered studying in.
Navigating the Unknown
After this realization, my family and I immediately turned our attention to the visa and residence permit process. As part of the first batch of students from PSD to study in Lithuania, we had little to no knowledge of what it would take to apply to study in an entirely different country. Some of my peers ended up traveling to the Philippines and Turkey to complete their applications, while the rest of us were figuring out the process as we went along.
At the same time, I still had my original plans in the Philippines. I was considering universities both for aviation and industrial engineering. I was accepted into Holy Angel University in Pampanga for aviation, which was part of my original plan before Lithuania came into the picture. I was also accepted into De La Salle University for Industrial Engineering as a backup option.
Ultimately, applying to Lithuania became a process of trial and error, with a mix of a YOLO mindset. We conducted extensive research into the requirements, made endless calls to local and school offices, and tried to piece together the process ourselves.
Personally, I felt that I had one of the more challenge experiences among my peers. The permit application became the most stressful part of my entire journey.
After formally submitting my documents and completing the interview, I was left with nothing to do but wait. While some of my friends received their permits after about a month and a half, mine arrived at least two months later. During those two months, I was stuck in the Philippines with no guarantee that I would even make it to Lithuania. My first semester classes had already started a month and a half earlier, meaning that even if my permit were approved, I would already be greatly behind.
At that point, the situation became more than just a delayed application. I was facing two possibilities. Either continue with my plans to study in Lithuania or take a gap year. The uncertainty was incredibly difficult to handle. There were moments when I came close to giving up on studying abroad altogether, and I began preparing backup plans in case things went south.
Even now, I'm not entirely sure what kept me going for those two months. My online classes gave me something to keep busy with, but they were not enough to distract me from the uncertainty of not knowing whether I would ever make it to Lithuania.
Why Lithuania?
As mentioned earlier, I decided to apply after discovering that my desired program was offered in Lithuania and, importantly, was taught in English. That already checked one of the biggest boxes for me.
Another factor was that I wouldn't be completely on my own. Some of my seniors and classmates from PSD had also chosen to study in Lithuania, including at Vilnius Tech. Knowing that there were already people I knew there made the idea of moving to a completely unfamiliar country feel a little less intimidating.
Finances were another major consideration. Compared to other universities I had looked into, the tuition and additional fees at Vilnius Tech were relatively affordable, especially considering its position in university rankings. For me, it offered many factors that were difficult to ignore.
After Landing
The real challenge began when I arrived in Lithuania.
The weather was cold and gloomy, and everything around me felt unfamiliar. On top of adjusting to a completely new environment, I was overwhelmed by the amount of schoolwork waiting for me. Since I had arrived well into the semester, there was a lot to catch up on. On a regular day, my friends and I would spend at least eight to ten hours in the library, often running on a few hours of sleep.
Those first few months were exhausting. I was trying to catch up academically and figure out how to navigate life as an international student in a country I had never lived in before.
Eventually, though, things began to change. After getting through those first few months, I slowly started to adjust to my new life. The second semester gave me the fresh start I needed. I had become more familiar with my environment, more comfortable with the demands of the university, and more confident in my decision to stay.
Keeping My Roots
Even though I am studying abroad and surrounded by people from different countries and cultures, I still feel deeply connected to my Filipino identity.
There is a growing Filipino community in Lithuania, and we still find ways to come together from time to time. We hang out, eat together, and simply spend time with one another. Just having that community around has made being so far from home feel a little less distant.
I am also fortunate to still be surrounded by friends from PSD. Having people who share the same background and understand where I come from gives me a sense of familiarity, even while I am living in a completely foreign environment.
Studying abroad has introduced me to new cultures and perspectives, but it doesn't have to mean leaving my own culture behind.
Where to Next?
My original plan was to return to the Philippines after completing my bachelor's degree, attend flight school, and work toward my dream of becoming a pilot.
Looking ahead, however, I see myself taking a slightly different path. I would most likely stay in Lithuania to pursue a master's degree before relocating to Spain or France to build a career as an aviation engineer.
Take the Risk
If I could talk to my Grade 12 self in PSD, I would tell myself to enjoy more moments and not focus too much on my studies. It was too late when I realized that I was genuinely living in one of the best and most memorable times of my life.
For anyone considering the possibility of studying abroad, I have four words for you. Just go for it.
Even considering the possibility of studying abroad is an opportunity that cannot be missed. There will definitely be some hardships that you're going to experience along the way. But these hardships are nothing compared to the relief you feel once they are over, the different people you meet, the perspectives you gain, and the lessons you learn not just in your field, but in life too.
Back then, I never would have thought that I would be able to study in Lithuania and Prague. But thankfully, I pushed through it.
