Lia Gelashvili
LUMSA university in Rome (Italy)
Lia Gelashvili, Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University student of Public Administration MA program participated in Erasmus+ ICM program and studied spring semester of 2022-2023 academic year at LUMSA university in Rome (Italy). After her return in Sabauni, she shares her experience with us.
1. Lia, how your expectations came true within this project?
Internationalization is one of the strongest parts of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University, that gives the students and staff the possibility to benefit from Exchange program at the partner foreign universities. As a MA student of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University, I choose the LUMSA university, that is located in Rome, capital of Italy. It was caused due to several reasons: in particular, I would have the opportunity to see and feel ancient roman culture and history. Also, by studying abroad, I would acquire new knowledge and international experience in my direction, attend training courses of qualified professors, acquire research skills established in the European educational space, expand my network of contacts and improve my personal and professional skills. Therefore, the Erasmus exchange program at Lumsa University fulfilled all the above-mentioned expectations that I had at the initial stage and had a positive impact on my personal and professional growth.
2. What was the main benefit from this program for you?
Participating in the Erasmus exchange program has given me many benefits both in terms of professional and personal development. While studying at Lumsa University, I had the opportunity to be an assistant of professor, that made my mobility period more attractive and interesting. I got qualified knowledge from high qualified Italian professors, got know with the modern approaches in my direction. I have met with the ambassadors of various countries, representatives of the several diplomatic structures and organization and get valuable experience.
Beside this, I have learnt basic Italian and now I am planning to improve it.
3. Which personal skills did this program help you improve?
Within the framework of the Erasmus+ exchange program, I developed both personal and professional skills. Among personal skills, I would highlight the following: resilience - with language barriers, cultural differences, etc. Coping with challenges. I became more open to change and developed the skills to quickly adapt to new environments and demands that are constantly non-static.
Communicating with representatives of different countries and cultures gave me the opportunity to think more broadly about a number of issues, which increased my receptivity to diverse ideas. Increased cultural awareness in which I have grown in respect and acceptance of different cultural backgrounds and perspectives, which has facilitated my effective communication and inclusiveness in a variety of settings.
4. Which professional skills did this mobility help you to improve?
From professional skills, I distinguish the development and deepening of time management skills, when in modern society, and especially in Rome, where processes and events are characterized by a non-static direction, are constantly changing, and it is necessary to manage the pulse of time, prioritize and sort tasks effectively in order to use time in the best way, it is very important. In addition, I met many professionals from my research field and expanded my professional network.
5. What will you miss the most?
After returning to Georgia, I will miss Italy as a country with a unique history, where every time you perceive and get a different feeling when you see the historical sights that are special and unique in their history and greatness. Always smiling and attentive Italians, friends made from different countries with their different opinions and cultures, university environment, students, professors, staff. All the people living in the residential complex who accepted me as a member of their family and did not lack warmth, attention and care.
6. Compare the life of a student in Georgia and abroad...
Student life in Georgia and Italy is significantly different due to factors such as lifestyle, personal preferences, educational system and learning environment. The educational process is not limited to lectures-seminars, but is full with the extra-curricular activities and cultural events with different contents, the variety and number of which provide an opportunity to satisfy the interest of students with different interests.
7. What are the advantages of participating in an exchange program? Why should a student participate in such a program?
The Erasmus exchange program offers many opportunities to students. Therefore, there are many advantages. Namely, getting to know a new culture, language, way of life. Study abroad, access to courses, research and a wide range of literature. Living and studying abroad promotes personal development, independence, adaptability and resilience. Erasmus connects students from all over the world, expanding their global network. These connections can be invaluable for future academic collaborations, career opportunities, and personal friendships. International experience for potential employers, making graduates more competitive in the job market.
8. Your recommendation for other students who wish to participate in the exchange program.
I advise every student who wants to study abroad within the framework of the Erasmus exchange program not to give up, to have confidence in themselves, to accept the challenge as an opportunity, to definitely participate in the competition and to experience for themselves the opportunities and benefits that study abroad provides within the framework of the exchange program. Never be afraid to state their opinion in front of a large and diverse audience with different abilities or cultural characteristics, express their opinion convincingly and, if necessary, enter into a polemic with a person and/or a group of people with a different opinion.
9. Complete the sentence: If it weren't for this exchange program, I would ...
If it wasn't for the Erasmus+ exchange program, I have a reasonable doubt that I would not have become an assistant of one of the leading professors of Lumsa University. Within the scope of this unique opportunity, I worked for one semester with the professor of political science and international relations at Lumsa. I got to know the European study and learning process, the specifics of conducting teaching, lecture and seminar process differently, the flexibility of the evaluation system and the environment tailored to the student's interests. I had the opportunity to actively cooperate with professors and young researchers of the above-mentioned field and share their best experience.