Teona from Georgia

Interviewee: Teona Edzgveradze

Interviewer: Nino Gergeshelidze

What was the reason of choosing RheinAhrCampus from so many options which Tbilisi State University gives to its students?

One of the main reason for choosing RheinAhrCampus was the country. It was always my aim to study in Germany. Since childhood, I was thinking about doing my master at one of the German universities so this was the preparation and a big step for my future studies. Another reason was the academic internship, which university suggests. I considered this possibility unique because I could study and work in a German environment at the same time.

What were the main benefits you gained from spending a semester in RheinAhrCampus?

Firstly, doing an internship was the greatest possibility I could do for my future. Secondly, I studied many interesting subjects, where we were focused on practical and theoretical work at the same time. Thirdly, got more open-minded, flexible to different situations. Fourthly, I started studying German, which I was always interested in to study. Also, I worked as a head of the departments like social events management and public relations, which was a big responsibility and honor at the same time and this experience gave me the right direction which field I want to work in in the future. Moreover, I got aware of various cultures, met people from different countries, cultural backgrounds, which helped me to gain knowledge how to communicate well in an intercultural environment.

Is the influence of studying abroad still helping you to lead your life in a better way?

Well, I am still in process of studying and working at RAC but I already feel that I am a different person. I got more independent, studied how to manage time, how to plan not only the week also the months and years, got more punctual, explored my weaknesses and started working on that to make them my strengthen, tried to leave the comfort zone and be easy going in every situation.

What are the top 5 things, which you miss from studying abroad?

Firstly, I will definitely miss my friends, whom I met at RAC and had a great time with them. Secondly, will miss the opportunity of traveling in Germany and not only there, in Europe. Thirdly, will miss the time spent at the university on the lectures, where I had an international environment and any topic was interesting to discuss because of cultural difference. Another thing, which I will miss is working in the office Sprachen/Internationales. And in general, it is hard to say now what I will miss in the future because I am still in this environment, I guess I can answer this question better when I am back in Georgia.

What do you think, how studying in RheinAhrCampus will help you in your future career/studies?

Because of the fact that I am still studying and working at RAC cannot speak about consciences yet. But I am more than sure that this experience will be very useful for my future because especially, in my country it means a lot for my potential employers that I have spent my semester in Germany, studied there and did the internship. Moreover, during studying at RAC I took TOEFL certificate, which is useful for applying on my master degree. So, I consider enriching my CV with this experience very helpful for my future.

What are the thing which you would change if you had the possibility?

There is just one thing I would like to change, I would study German harder, would use the possibility that I was surrounded by German people and would practice the language with them. And with all the other stuff, I am very satisfied and do not regret anything. In my opinion, I tried my best and gained from this one semester as much as I could.

What can you say about differences between students’ life in Germany and Georgia?

I guess that it is very different from each other because German students are very independent, which I like a lot. They are leading their own lives as they want what is very different in Georgia, not in every case but generally, my age people still live with their family and follow parents’ rules and ideology about life.

What recommendations do you have for the student who have a willingness to study in RheinAhrCampus?

I would recommend to be open-minded, easy going to every situation, leave the comfort zone, use the chance of spending one semester at RAC as much as they can because otherwise, they will regret wasted time then. The main thing which I am happy for that I did, is the internship because it is the challenge which helps you to grow, improve skills, study a lot, have bigger chances and be competitive on a global workplace, so it would be my last recommendation to choose an academic internship.