Rusudan Dartsmelidze
University Lumsa (Italy)
Rusudan Dartsmelidze, MA student of Law faculty at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University studied one semester at LUMSA university under Erasmus+ ICM program.
1. How were your expectations from the Erasmus+ program and if they were fulfilled?
Before starting the exchange program, I expected that the next five months would be an important life experience for me. That it would be full of challenges and unforgettable sensations. I also hoped that while studying, I would be able to explore Italy and its culture, improve my personal and professional skills, and work on myself. Fortunately, all my expectations were met and the past 5 months actually turned out to be a great experience and a pleasant memorable period.
2. What was the most important benefit for you from this program?
Besides gaining professional knowledge, the main benefit for me was getting to know a new culture up close. Fortunately, during the exchange program, I spent 5 months in the city museum - Rome. Every day spent in this city and in Italy in general was full of pleasant surprises. It is a country of endless possibilities and an amazing culture that manages to make you fall in love with yourself more and surprise you more every time.
In addition, I cannot fail to mention the role of one of the main goals of the project - establishing contacts with foreign peers - in considering this period as a success. Getting to know new people, communicating with them, exchanging information about culture and traditions, having fun and making friends was a particularly interesting and pleasant process.
3. Which personal skills did this program help you improve?
Living independently in a foreign country is often associated with many challenges. Of course, there were difficulties, but this program convinced me that I can solve problems independently, quickly adapt to a new environment. In addition, I gained experience in effective communication.
4. What will you miss the most?
I will probably miss the environment in which I lived and the true Italian spirit that met me at every step. Fortunately, I lived and studied in an area that was within walking distance of Rome's main attractions, including St. John's Basilica, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, and more. So, it's a little hard to come to terms with the fact that I won't be able to enjoy these sights on a daily basis.
5. Compare the life of a student in Georgia and abroad...
The life of students in Italy and Georgia is not essentially different from each other. I think one of the things that can give us a different picture is the teaching method. In Italy, the student is more of a listener than a lecture. Italian students may be distinguished from Georgians by their attitude towards life and their ability to plan their time. This nation tries to take as little stress as possible from life, therefore, relaxing in the evening with friends is a part of their life. That is why they often have to organize various activities.
6. What are the advantages of participating in an exchange program? Why should a student participate in such a program?
Participation in exchange programs is especially important in the era of globalization. I think, especially in the conditions of high competition in the job market, it is important for each of us to be able to expand our horizons in the right direction. At the same time, getting to know a foreign culture is an extremely pleasant and interesting process, which can also happen mentally, since a foreign student easily becomes a member of society.
In addition, the international exchange program allows students to improve their professional and personal skills, work on themselves, make new friends and establish international connections. Ultimately, the program provides the greatest life experience to its participants.
Complete the sentence: If it weren't for this exchange program, I would ...
If it wasn't for this exchange program, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to study at one of the famous universities in Italy, develop important and invaluable professional and personal skills, make new friends from Georgia and other parts of the world, get to know and see the real Italy.