Introduction to Life as a teacher in the fridge of Vilnius, Lithuania.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Vilnius has come a long way in the way of development and culture. In the last few years, the country's infrastructure has improved and has good relations with the rest of Europe. However, the country is still battling with many problems such as curruption and poverty.
I came to Vilnius in January 2006 to work at one of the city's largest schools. There are currently 1,000 students at the school. Its clients range from young learners just starting out to big businesses and government agencies. Students tend to be highly-motivated and many insist on learning grammar as opposed to simple conversation classes.
Although teaching here is enjoyable, life in Lithuania is very tough for many people. Winters here are tough. Temperatures in January dropped to a bitter -33C. When the temperatures get this low, somehow, Vilnius continues to function. The snow lies from January right up to mid-March. Mild spells in winter are very short as the cold weather from Siberia comes back with a vengeance. What's more, the country has one of the highest suicide rates in Europe, as the country is still dealing with the social change that has seen the country move from the Soviet Union to the European Union.