Part of the Peru exchange program that five of AAT’s senior students participated in was the Peruvians coming to Georgia now instead. They spent almost two weeks in Tbilisi and went to different places around Georgia, all of it previously planned and oversaw by faculty and administration involved. The five students, Sebastian, Avril, Luana, Micaela, and Rafa enjoyed Georgian homes, culture, cuisine, and as many things as two weeks of excursions could offer them. We decided to go more in depth into what happened during their stay, interviewing both Georgian and Peruvian students, accompanying volunteers on trips, as well as Mr. Cruz.
Interviews with Anna Partsvania, Anano Kirvalidze, and Giorgi Jakobia:
Q: What was it like to have an exchange student as a roommate? What was the experience like?
Anna: My roommate was Luana, and it was very fun to host her. Even when she was talking to her friends on the phone at night, she would always try to include me in the conversation. She liked Georgian food, especially those that my grandmother cooked. She loved Khachapuri and Ghomi, as well as the vinaigrette salad; I also made her taste fried chicken even though she said she hated it, but it turned out to be delicious for her. She basically enjoyed everything we made at home. I also made her try different kinds of cheese and tkhemali’s juice, which I sent with her back to Peru.
Anano: My roommate was Mikaela, and personally it was great to have her. We bonded very well, we have the same taste and vibes. We’re both even picky eaters, so food wasn’t a problem for us, we ordered what we liked and enjoyed our time together. I’m also a very communicative person, so that’s also helpful with these kinds of things.
Jako: My roommate was Sebastian, 15 years old, and overall more responsibility and attention was needed, since having a guest from so far away and knowing that you have to host them isn’t quite easy. He was very communicative, we just hung out, ate together, went to football games, etc.
Every activity or excursion was pre-planned, but other times when they had free time, they took them out to different cafes and restaurants in Tbilisi, such as Radisson, Lolita, Honore, and many others. Some of the planned activities were Funicular on Mtatsminda on the first day, where Mikheil Chkuaseli, honorary consul of Peru, gave Peruvians a sort of an introduction to Georgia. One of the activities was going to the Bread House in Old Tbilisi, where they had a Tone baking lesson. Anano Kirvalidze said that she enjoyed it since she also got to explore a part of the city that she wouldn’t have gone to otherwise. “Here they also made Khinkali and got to know Georgian cuisine better, and overall they had a great time themselves, too.”
Anamaria Bayraktar, a Senior, volunteered to accompany the group for a day in Old Tbilisi. They explored the area, visiting churches and sulfur baths, then wandering through the streets and taking many pictures. “The Peruvians enjoyed eating the food they had prepared themselves. They also bought many Georgian souvenirs, both for their families and for themselves. Overall, both Peruvians and we really enjoyed this small excursion.”
Anna Partsvania says that her favorite day was when they went to Restaurant Tabakhmela. “We just had a whole free day and went to the restaurant. Not doing anything much and just bonding with each other was really pleasant, too. I also really liked going to Mukhran, where we toured the winery.” Anano Kirvalidze says she really enjoyed Vardzia. “Levan Ghambashidze, history teacher, accompanied us there. He was able to explain things better and more clearly than if there were a whole class, like on excursions.” It turns out that the Peruvians were very interested in the place and in what Levan was saying. “But the best was probably when Gvantsa Zhuruli took us to the Georgian National Museum and then to a dance recital by Erisoni,” added Anano. “The whole recital was planned for us, where they presented typical Georgian dances and singing live. All of this was very charming and amazing.” It seems that students from both countries had pleasant days.
Giorgi Jakobia recalls about 14th of October, a national holiday in Georgia. That day they went to East Point and had a lot of fun in the center. “After that, we went to the Georgia v Albania football game with their principal, Mr. Requena. This was memorable for me because it’s good to introduce our culture and atmosphere to people from other countries. Even though we lost, I’m still satisfied with taking them there to show what it’s like.”
Georgian students also joined Peruvian students on an exciting excursion to the Kakheti Region, led by their teacher, Sandro Mikelashvili. The journey began with a two-hour drive to Bodbe Monastery, named in honor of St. Nino. Here, the Peruvian students were given the chance to see St. Nino’s convent and admire the beautiful setting. The group stopped to take some memorable photos with the Alazani Valley in the background.
Their next stop was at Vazisubani Estate. Upon arrival the students from both countries were amazed by the stunning views and the charming facility. They had fun playing billiards, which was enjoyed by everyone. In the evening, they moved on to their final stop, Tsinandali Estate, arriving just minutes before closing. Mr. Sandro guided the Peruvian students through Aleksandre Chavchavadze’s historic palace and the Tsinandali Old Winery, giving them a sight into Georgian culture and history. Before heading back to Tbilisi, they relaxed in the palace garden, playing games and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
When asked how AAT Seniors felt about the whole experience, they agreed that it was very fun and interesting, but kind of tiring for them. Anna says that it was great to have an opportunity to share our culture and home with them, being the ones to introduce them to Georgia. “The not-so-good thing was that we couldn’t go on all of the activities with them. Even though we were limited to activities so that we wouldn’t miss much of school, it was hard to keep up with all the tests and homework at that time. I still have two math assignments I haven’t submitted yet.”
Anano says that she bonded very well with Mikaela and loved going out with the guests to different places. “I would do all of these again, for sure, and all five of us really enjoyed everything.” Giorgi Jakobia added that it was pleasant to show them around the country, culture, kitchen, history, city and its architecture. Turns out that introducing them to parts of Georgia turned out to be interesting for the locals as well. “I couldn’t see my friends properly for two weeks, so that was a little disappointing,” he added.
Sebastian Padilla, Giorgi Jakobia’s pair, gave us a bit of his insight when asked what he liked in Georgia and what his overall impression is: “My favorite activity was dancing and singing together with the Georgian gentlemen. Vardzia was another of my favorites. I liked the dancing and the singing because it was very impressive to me, and Vardzia because of its architecture and that it was an underground city. The culture was very beautiful and a pleasant experience from which I was able to learn a lot. The part that may be most memorable for me was seeing the great impact that the Catholic religion had on Georgia and how they acquired it.” When asked if he would’ve liked anything to be different, he answered: “No, the truth is, I felt very happy to have this experience and if you asked me if I would do it again, I would definitely say yes.” Gladly, it seems that he left Georgia in good and high spirits.
Lastly, director of GZAAT, Andres Cruz, provided deep insights into the newly launched Peru exchange program, describing it as a successful pilot initiative that engaged five students this year. This marked the first time the school had carried out an exchange program with a country in South America. He explained that starting with a small group was a careful decision because new programs can be unpredictable.
One notable aspect of the program is the seasonal contrast. Peru is situated in South America, which means it has different seasons compared to Georgia. When it is summer in Tbilisi, it is winter in Peru. This seasonal timing works well for both groups: the Georgian students can travel to Peru right after finishing their school year, while the Peruvian students can visit Tbilisi at the beginning of the Georgian school year. This arrangement has proven to be ideal for everyone involved. The director of their school Mr. Luis Requena accompanied the Peruvian students. He was also involved because there were uncertainties about how the exchange program would go, especially since it was the first time this initiative had been organized in Georgia. Mr. Cruz said that the students showed a strong interest in learning about the country, and surprisingly, they expressed a desire to spend more time at the school. After several days of outings, both the director and the visiting students requested to cancel some scheduled trips in order to spend more time attending classes and experiencing the daily life of Georgian students.
He also noted that the continuation of the program depends on student interest. “Since the trip is long and can be uncomfortable and expensive, it will only proceed if there are enough students willing to participate. The advantage of staying with host families helps to reduce costs, as students do not have to pay for hotels. While it is not yet clear whether the exchange will occur every year or every two years, If enough students express a desire to take part, the school is eager to continue this valuable opportunity.” Said the director.
Mr. Cruz explained that the exchange program offers a unique experience. While traditional travel allows participants to see interesting sites, the real value comes from spending time with a host family. This arrangement encourages students to engage with people from different cultures, helping them to understand and appreciate diverse customs and lifestyles. Although Peru has European influences due to its history as part of the Spanish Empire, it also has a rich cultural identity that is distinct from European countries. This experience provides students with a deeper understanding of a way of life that is very different from their own in Georgia, making the program even more impactful.
Edited by: Keto Kapianidze
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