‘I think in Lithuanian’: the Azerbaijani girl who aced the Lithuanian national exam

Zeinab Mamedova, an Azerbaijani girl who moved to Lithuania at the age of nine, has achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 100% on the Lithuanian national language and literature exam. Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, Zeinab grew up in an Azerbaijani household where Russian was the primary language spoken. She also knew some Azerbaijani, but upon arriving in Lithuania, she had no knowledge of the local language. Her journey began in the small northeastern town of Utena, where she enrolled in Krašuona middle school in November 2015. From the moment she stepped into the classroom, Zeinab faced the challenge of learning a new language. Initially, she could understand almost nothing of what was being said around her, except during math lessons. Despite this, she remained undeterred. She focused on making friends and relied on her classmates to teach her basic words. They would show her objects and say their names in Lithuanian, such as “pieštukas” for a pencil. Through these interactions, Zeinab gradually picked up the language. Her early exposure to Lithuanian came unexpectedly. Before moving to Lithuania, Zeinab had learned the word “pienas,” meaning milk, from her stepfather, an Azerbaijani man already living in the country. This small linguistic gift proved to be a starting point for her language acquisition. Although she did not yet know where Lithuania was located, she was determined to learn the language and integrate into her new environment. Lithuanian, known for its complex grammar, posed particular challenges. One of the hardest aspects for Zeinab was mastering the locative case, which indicates location. She admitted to struggling with this aspect initially, often guessing how words should sound. However, over time, the language became more familiar and even beautiful to her. Reading played a crucial role in her progress. As a lifelong reader, she worked her way through Lithuanian books as her vocabulary expanded. Yet, she emphasized that communication with others in Lithuanian was the most effective method of learning. By the time she returned to school after her first summer break, Zeinab was speaking fluently and without an accent. Her speech therapist, who had been assigned to assist her during her initial adjustment period, was amazed by her rapid progress. The therapist remarked that Zeinab was exceptionally intelligent and suggested she pursue a career in medicine. At the time, Zeinab laughed it off, dismissing the idea of becoming a doctor. However, ten years later, she decided to take the advice seriously. Zeinab’s academic achievements culminated in her taking the Lithuanian national exams, which are held at the end of secondary education and considered highly challenging. These exams, comparable to A-levels in the UK, require students to demonstrate proficiency in subjects such as Lithuanian language and literature, history, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. In addition to these, Zeinab had previously obtained an international English qualification. To prepare for the Lithuanian exam, Zeinab dedicated herself entirely to studying. The exam required a written essay based on randomly selected texts from a mandatory syllabus, leaving no room for preparation. To ensure success, she read every book on the syllabus and watched every documentary available. Even during moments of leisure, such as meals or walks, she listened to audiobooks. Her goal was to be well-prepared for the exam and have material to write about. Zeinab’s efforts paid off. She secured a place at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas, demonstrating not only her linguistic abilities but also her commitment to academic excellence. Her story highlights the power of determination, resilience, and the importance of cultural integration in shaping personal and educational success.