1. Reflections on International Exchange Visit to
Georgia
By ALEXANDRU CARACUDA
The expertise exchange with Georgia was unique and very interesting. Although we left
with some excitement, not knowing what awaited us, we returned with the only regret
that we did not enjoy this expertise exchange for a longer time.
My first impression of Georgia was that it is not very different from Romania, yet the
more we mingled among Georgians and their lives, the more we noticed how the
differences began little by little to emerge.
Obviously in this expertise exchange we learned several interesting things about the
Georgian culture, thus one of my expectations being met. Therefore, I have learned
about two of the most important XIXth century poets, Ilia and Akaki. Of course, we could
not help but learn a few words in Georgian or write our names in this old and interesting
language called Mkhedruli, which dates from the XIth century. Our hosts, Mrs. Rusudan
and Khatuna made sure that we feel as good as possible during this experience in
Georgia, each day showing us new and interesting things. In the very first day they
showed us the wonders of Tbilisi, consisting of important churches and buildings,
buildings with an old and impressive architecture. The magic of Tbilisi was felt at dusk.
We were hypnotized by the lights engulfing this impressive city.
During this expertise exchange we met volunteers such as those from UNDP and many
others who carry out very impressive activity in their community.
We also had one of the most important meetings with Mrs. Anna Kebadze, Head of the
General Education Development Division.

2. A new experience for me was also the trip to Batumi by coach train. In Batumi we met
the young people of the student council of School no. 7. With them we visited an
exceptional art museum filled with interesting and representative paintings from this
country.
After a brief meeting with the Minister of Education and Science we met the Youth
Council representatives in Batumi, with whom we shared different ideas and opinions.
Tired, but also delighted with our newly acquired ideas, we embarked on a long journey
to Kutaisi, where the next day a series of meetings with the student council and youth
council representatives of Kutaisi took place. At dusk we enjoyed our free time by
visiting the landmarks of Kutaisi, which proved to be landmarks worthy of praise.
Obviously, in a country with so many treasures to see, there is also a tasty cuisine to
match. Thus, we discovered that the most common dish is khachapuri, what for us,
Romanians, would be the slightly different cheese pie. Another tasty traditional dish is
khinkali, which is eaten carefully because of its sauce. Of course, we learned the secret
of those tasty dishes, but also of the juices produced in Georgia, for which they use the
natural spring water of this country.
This expertise exchange is one of the most interesting, in which I took part, opening
new gates to a more clear thinking of the possibilities which the volunteers face. Also,
the country is worthy of praise, in spite of the fact that it is seemingly not different from
Romania, yet it hides treasures worthy to be discovered.