Belarusian students are extremely welcome in Druskininkai, especially at Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) and the College of Alytus (CoA). They are enticed by the possibility of getting a degree from European Union country and, geographically speaking, so close to home. Lithuanian higher education institutions are tempted as well – Belarusian student would have to pay tuition fees whereas most Lithuanians study for free.

LSU opened its new branch in Druskininkai and is now offering both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in sport tourism management and physical therapy. Although technically LSU's primary target audience is Lithuanian youth, the student pool will most likely be concentrated on the neighboring countries – Polish and Belarusian students.

The opening of this new facility already has a geographical aspect to it – Belarusians are coming to Druskininkai by now. According to LSU Chancellor Mindaugas Balčiūnas, it has been agreed between LSU and the Belarus Basketball Federation that LSU will accept Belarusian students for European Masters in Basketball training program. The agreement is to have 10 students from Belarus in Druskininkai. LSU expects that Polish students will be interested in this branch as well.

LSU is not the only Lithuanian higher education institution to have such an idea. The College of Alytus is planning to open up to Belarusian student market as well.

The director of the CoA Danutė Remeikienė says that 'Belarusians want us to organize studies in the way that students could work in Belarus during the weekends and attend full-time classes on the weekdays. At this point we are putting everything together.' She emphasizes that the CoA already has some foreign students and Belarusians are welcome to join.

Since Druskininkai is closer to Belarus than Alytus, the CoA is planning to open a department there so that students could study in Druskininkai. However, Remeikienė says that some of the subjects would still be taught in their facilities in Alytus. The CoA will offer programs in technology and engineering. Belarusians are very supportive of this idea; however, the program is not yet advertised in Belarus.

'They would like to come and study here and get the EU degree. Belarusians would be good to have here as they would pay for their studies. The Lithuanian youth is decreasing so everyone is trying to figure out how to get people to work with,' said Remeikienė.

Maksimas Milto, the vice-president for international representation of Lithuanian Students Union (LSU), holds the same opinion. He argues that the freedom of movement is very important incentive for Belarusians in Lithuania; however, the prospect of graduating with a Bachelor's degree and moving on freely to a Master's is even more tempting. Since Belarus has not signed the Bologna Process agreement, it neither recognizes education gained in foreign countries nor its degrees are accepted abroad. However, the case with Lithuania is a bit different. Because of the bilateral agreement between Lithuania and Belarus, the degrees are accepted and recognized. Milto argues that because of this Belarusian students could benefit from gaining internationally recognized degree whereas Lithuanian education sector could increase their numbers of students.