Ia Kitsbabashvili
University of Valladolid (Spain)
Ia Kitsbabashvili, MA student of Business Administration at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University, studied the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year at the University of Valladolid (Spain) within Erasmus+ ICM program. Ia speaks about her experience.
How well did your expectations for this mobility program come about?
The program really lived up to expectations and gave us more than we could within the available resources. The training program went through two stages. The first month of study was limited to audience meetings which were really unforgettable and interesting, the lectures focused on practice, improving critical thinking skills, developing analysis and reasoning skills. In the second part, we switched to online learning mode, although the university and the students also faced challenges, but I think the online learning process has yielded good results. All the subjects that were actively conducted online were tailored to our interests, as the lecturers, after consulting with us, tried to offer us a lecture course that was interesting and based on reasoning.
What was the most important benefit for you from this program?
The biggest benefit of the program is the contacts, which I unfortunately made in an unusual environment, although I believe I have achieved my goal. Despite everything, I was able to make interesting friends. It was a new challenge, a new environment, an unusual learning regime, getting to know the European education system, gaining self-confidence and independence. It is a kind of exchange of cultural values that is very important to me.
Which personal skills did this program help you improve?
The program helped me improve my ability to analyze, respond quickly, deal with stress, think freely, and take advantage of existing realities. The program helped me realize that changing the data is very easy, it only requires a short, simple, bold and cold-minded decision.
Which professional skills did this mobility help you to improve?
Among the professional skills, I would like to single out the development of computer skills, improve communication skills, find a quick practical solution and the ability to implement it, as well as stress management skills.
Which of the subjects taught there would you single out the most? and why?
I was very interested in the subject of negotiation culture and protocol culture in Asia, with the help of this subject I was able to get acquainted with the art of negotiation in Asian countries which is very interesting and important for me both professionally and personally. I was able to get acquainted with their culture, values, beliefs and religious values. I believe that now I can boldly and avoid embarrassment to establish business relations with Asian companies such as China, Korea, India. From a completely different angle I have seen the opportunity to use cultural facilities and improve tourism potential both in my country and around the world. With the help of this course I was able to consciously see the great tourism potential that my country has.
If there was a course that you took abroad and if not for this exchange program, you would not be able to pass it in Georgia …
If not for this exchange project I could not pass the subject expatriate executives and workers management. This subject allowed students from different countries to talk about the experience and challenge of foreign workers in our country. This course was interesting because it provided information on the experience of different countries. It is possible to simplify the global work environment.
What do you miss the most now?
What I miss the most is the desire for freedom and new knowledge, the feeling that I had upon arrival. It was a really amazing exchange program for me, if not for this pandemic I am sure I would return to my country full of even more emotion. I miss the people who were imbued with boundless respect and interest in both me and my country. I will miss the feeling when each presentation presented about Georgia deserved boundless interest and applause.
Compare student life in Georgia and abroad ....
Student life in Georgia and abroad are completely different, it is the balance of free time and study, the regime that pushes you to be mobilized, students who are ready to discuss any issue, boldly talk about their country or personal problems, challenges and desires. Willingness to work as a team and to help each other in case of any uncertainty, equal distribution of responsibilities and tasks, which facilitates the achievement of the goal and constant mobilization to celebrate the fun and the achieved goal
What are the advantages of participating in an exchange program? Why should a student participate in a similar program
The student should take part in an exchange program to meet new challenges, improve their skills and self-awareness, it is the experience gained abroad that makes us people who were previously unknown to us, you realize your strengths and weaknesses and try to grow and conquer new heights with new consciousness.
Your recommendation for other students who wish to participate in the exchange program
Fighting for your goals, I was able to fulfill my school-era dream and go abroad to study. Do your part for success, overcome fear and learn to create a better future.
Complete the sentence: If it were not for this exchange program, I would have worked even harder to participate in this program.