Tsotne from Georgia

Interviewee: Tsotne Kalichava

Interviewer: Ketevan Barbakadze

Please introduce yourself and tell us what was the reason of choosing RheinAhrCampus from so many options which Business and Technology University gives to its students?

Hello, I am Tsotne Kalichava from Georgia. I am doing MBA at Business and Technology University. My home university always gives us different opportunities, such as exchange semester in many countries, international and local projects. Once, I received email from my university and there was written about Erasmus+ Exchange semesters. I got a list with more that 5 universities. But I have chosen Germany. I have friends who studied at RheinAhrCampus and they did great marketing for this university. Honestly, I love Germany and German Culture so it was one of the crucial reasons.

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

Gaining benefits started from airport when I have arrived in Germany. I grab my student card and then my internalization story has begun. Main benefit which I gained here was working with international team. Just imagine, brainstorming process when you have hundreds of totally different views and thousands of different ideas. I became more open minded and aware to work worldwide.

In my semester I understood that life is a learning process and even from the scrolling Facebook, watching Netflix or talking with your friend you can learn something. Now I see world in many colors, describe problems from many perspectives and then solve them. I would say that I discovered part of myself and know where my way goes.

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

I already miss Remagen and stories connected to Germany. My friends made my semester amazing and mostly I miss them. Walking near the Rhein and chilling in the nature was nice part of my semester. Of course, I miss my handball team in Remagen, just to know I started playing in the local handball team, but unfortunately because of hard time we stopped. Last thing should be Beer (ahaha), beer was always great partner in the weekends.

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

RheinAhrCampus made me more professional in the international level. I think my experience here will help me even in the job interviews. This semester pushed me to search for new opportunities. That’s why I decided to do one more MBA abroad. I feel more self-confident to work with international team. Due to my experience I can plan my long-term goals and achieve them.

What are the things which you would change if you had the opportunity?

I think I used my opportunities as much as I could so I am satisfied with my semester abroad. I wish there were no Corona virus so I would have opportunities to travel around the Europe and meet new people. I wish I could go to university and meet my classmates, share our stories and drink cup of tea with them, but still I spent great time.

What are the things which you would implement in RAC or in BTU?

That is an interesting question and I was thinking about it. I would create cross network system where students from BTU and RAC could contact each other, share their stories and motivate them. This cross-cultural network would help us to gain more knowledge, find new friend around the world and then meet them in personal. I am going to speak and speak about my experience in Germany and I am going to convince Georgian students that they must use this opportunity.

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

Life in Germany and in Georgia is totally different, I would prefer student life in Germany, because I see they are more practice orientated, they are doing internship in many well-known companies. They work hard they study hard and of course in the weekend they party hard and I love all these combinations.

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

Once my lecturer asked us how many new telephone numbers did we have after we came to Germany and my answer was- two. Honestly, I could have more but I missed opportunity. In this case I want to say that studying at RheinAhrCampus is life experience, this is an opportunity which should be used. I just suggest to enjoy moments, there will be tasks, assignments, meetings, again tasks but these are making us better. Just take an initiative and you will never regret.