T. Kbiladze, GE

I had the honor of teaching at Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, RheinAhrCampus, Faculty of Business Administration and Social Sciences for the winter semester of 2024-2025 for my fourth visit as a guest lecturer. I taught courses in International Business and International Studies and it has been an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience. The university provided an ideal environment for both, my personal and my professional growth. I want to thank Dr. Laurent Borgmann for sharing useful insights into teaching strategies and best practices, Selsela Arya for ensuring that all logistics were handled smoothly, allowing me to focus entirely on my teaching and on getting students interested in spending a semester in Georgia. 

I found the students (often from surprisingly diverse cultural backgrounds) enthusiastic, motivated, and highly engaged in their coursework, which made my teaching both stimulating and enjoyable. Their willingness to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios made my Business Simulation very interactive. One of the key highlights of my experience was the department’s flexibility and innovative teaching methods. I was encouraged to integrate various interactive learning activities, case studies, and group discussions into my lectures, creating a stimulating and participatory classroom atmosphere. 

In November, 2024, I participated in a multinational seminar workshop "Embracing Cultural Diversity". The event brought together 42 people from 16 different countries, each with their own unique cultural perspectives and experiences. The seminar focused on the importance of understanding, respecting, and celebrating our differences while finding common ground for collaboration. Throughout the workshop, we engaged in discussions, group activities, and presentations that demonstrated how cultural diversity influences everything from communication styles to work ethics and problem-solving approaches.

I also would like to mention that during my stay in Germany, I managed to improve my proficiency in German remarkably, and I now, after courses in Germany and Georgia, find myself able to use the language effortlessly in daily life.

On the weekends, I explored German history and culture. Germany is famous for its castles, especially Schloss Drachenburg, which made a strong impression. Münster University, located in a castle, was unforgettable. I visited Osnabrück, birthplace of my favourite writer Erich Maria Remarque, and the cosy city of Andernach, where Charles Bukowski was born. I saw Lake Constance, at the foot of the Alps, shared by Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The breathtaking Rhine Falls was a natural spectacle as the Rhine River cascaded down with incredible force. I visited the Teutoburger Forest, a symbol of German unity, where Arminius led Germanic tribes to a crushing victory over the Romans, halting their expansion into Germania.

I also visited football cities like Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen. A huge influence on me was the Folkwang Museum in Essen, with works by Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Otto Dix, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin.