This is the 19th year that Norwich University has received support from the Olmsted Foundation to travel abroad. Since 2005, about 100 students have benefited from this grant and have traveled to Kyrgystan, Tanzania, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Croatia, Senegal, El Salvador, Chile, Turkey, Slovenia, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Israel and the Balkans.
This year’s team is rounding out their final week in the country of Georgia and we’re providing a round up of their thoughts so far. If you missed the round up from their first week, it can be found in Part One:
May 8, 2023 | Day Six - Communications Team
Day 06 as began as usual with a delicious breakfast from our host Zura. After this we traveled towards downtown Tbilisi to the head quarters of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, where we meet with the organization’s director Dr. Ekatrine Metreveli. We were originally introduced to Dr. Metreveli though a US based Contact COL James Howcroft (USMC Ret) who described her as, “the pinnacle of Georgian civil society.” COL Howcroft’s compliment could not have described Dr. Metreveli anymore accurately. After a brief discussion of the history of her organization, both its role as a think tank, the the quality job training it provides to appropriately 5,000 government workers ever year, we started discussing politics and security. A wide range of topics were discussed ranging from Euro-Atlantic integration to cyber and irregular war, and it was a very insightful conversation. Thank you Dr. Metreveli for sharing your expertise with the team.
After a lunch at Georgian McDonald’s (thoroughly underwhelming) we meet with Chancellor Magradze of Kutaisi International University for a discussion of higher education in Georgia. The meeting began with a presentation on KIU, which despite being only three years old is already the number 1 ranked university in Georgia. The team then had the opportunity to ask question and was able to learn a lot about the greatest challenges facing Georgia’s education system as well as the efforts being made by KIU to address them. Two of the biggest takeaways from the meeting were 1. There is a disconnect between the degrees people are getting and the demands of the labor market. 2. KIU is the only University in Georgia to have a campus and this allows its students to have far more independence than the average Georgian student. Overall our team walked away with a far greater understanding of the education system in Georgia.
Yesterday evening our team had the honor to visit the Turkish Embassy to meet with the Turkish Ambassador. During a brief Q&A session we were able to discuss the shared culture and history of Georgia and Turkey, as well as the strategic interests of Ankara. Thank you Türkiye for the fantastic opportunity
May 9, 2023 | Day Seven - Communications Team
Throughout the trip our team has sought cultural emersion, however yesterday we experienced physical submersion in the Turkish Sulfur Baths. An experience that will truly be remembered, our team soaked in warm geothermal waters, before being scrubbed and massaged in the traditional Turkish fashion. The experience also allowed us to connect with Georgia’s Ottoman past.
After the baths our team had the opportunity to relax and explore on our own, leading to many cadets exploring Tbilisi’s world famous Bizarre, where they could find everything from fresh fish to Soviet memorabilia.
The day ended with our team moving by van from, Tbilisi to Gori, in preparation for our visit to the National Defense Academy.
May 10, 2023 | Day Eight - Communications Team
Day 08 Started early in Gori. After a delicious breakfast provided by our Gori host Anna, we were picked up and brought to the National Defense Academy where were received by the Commandant and his staff. We then were given a brief presentation on the history, values, and curriculum of the academy by a third year “Junker” (Georgian Cadet). After this presentation we were given a tour of the campus, including academic buildings, physical fitness facilities, and even the schools shooting range. Thank you to our two guides 3rd year junkers Maria and Nika.
After a brief lunch in the Academy Dfac we departed the NDA to tour the Stalin Museum. While the museum undoubtedly had many extremely valuable and unique artifacts including the house Stalin was born in, our team left with the impression that the museum severely underplayed the atrocities committed by one of histories most brutal dictators.
The team then moved on to Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave town that in pre-Christian times was once a major cultural and religious center. It was truly amazing to see first hand the ancient culture of Georgia.
The day continued with a visit to the Gori fortress. Strategically positioned overlooking Gori, this medieval fortress provides us with fantastic views of both Gori and the neighboring countryside. From the fortress it was even possible to see Russian positions in occupied South Ossetia.
We ended the day by eating chow and then playing pool and chess with junkers, it was a fantastic opportunity for our team to interact and learn from our Georgian counterparts. Once again thank you Maria and Nika for being such gracious hosts.
May 11, 2023 | Day Nine - Communications Team
Day 09 began with one last breakfast at the NDA dfac. After this meal the team exchanged gifts with the Commandant and then departed the NDA for the Sachkhere Mountain Training School.
Arriving at the Mountain School we were greeted by the schools Commanding Officer and Sergeant Major. We then received a brief presentation on the schools training program before having the opportunity to ask questions. The team then toured the schools training facilities. While we were very impressed by the barracks and gym, far the highlight was the various pieces of mountaineering equipment on display. We end the tour with lunch in the dfac. Thank you to the Mountain School for hosting our team and hopefully one day Norwich Cadets will join the many foreign service members who attend the school for training.
After the Mountain Academy we moved by van to Katskhy for a cultural tour. Although the weather was less than desirable, our team still made the climb and was rewarded with awe inspiring views of the Georgian country side. After this tour we returned to Gori where we ended the day with delicious traditional Georgian meal with our host Anna. Thank you Major Kavalashvili for organizing and accompanying us in our trip to the Mountain School, and to Anna for showing us the fullest extent of Georgian hospitality.
May 12, 2023 | Day Ten - Communications Team
Day 10 began with us departing Gori and returning to Tbilisi, where we were warmly welcomed back by Zura. The team grab lunch and then headed to a meeting at the Tbilisi Academy of the Arts where we met with the Academy’s director and with an art historian named Davit. For approximately an hour we discussed everything from the suppression of traditional Georgian Art in the Soviet Union to the way in which Tbilisi’s unique architecture is an expression of Georgian culture.
Following this meeting the team returned to the hotel to prep for our planned family visits. It was then that we received the unfortunate news that all but one of the families had cancelled. At this point the team visited the Chronicles of Georgia a monument dedicated to ancient Kings of Georgia and to the Crucification of Christ.
May 13, 2023 | Day Eleven - Communications Team
Despite the heavy rain and high winds, when day 11 began the team was set and ready to go. The first meeting of the day was with two very remarkable people, who had both courageously served their country. One was a retired SGM from the Georgian Army who not only was combat in 2008 but also served with distinction in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Central African Republic. The SGM was a true modern day warrior, and it was a privilege to speak with him about his experiences and about leadership. Thank you SGM not only for meeting with the team but for your service to your country and the ideals of freedom and liberty. The second was wartime journalist who served in historical conflicts such as the Abkhazian War, the 2008 War, but also contemporary conflicts like that in Ukraine. During our brief meeting she discussed the importance of telling the truth during times of war. Speaking from experience she spoke about how when conflict broke out how she wanted to serve her country but had not experience as a soldier and thus through journalism she sought to do her part, using the skills god gave her. It was truly a remarkable meeting with two Georgian heroes.
Sadly Day 11 would be our last full day with a translator Saba. To thank him for his time, insight, and efforts the team organized a Supra with traditional American cuisine. (Dominos Pizza) Throughout the dinner we also presented gifts to Saba to express our gratitude. Our host Zura also appeared to deliver a traditional Georgian toast to us, and we were all very honored by his presence.
Follow dinner we traveled to the St George English Language Orthodox Church. Where we meet with the local parish Priest. After a lively discussion about the history and current state of Orthodoxy in Georgia, the Father overwhelmed us with his generosity. As we waited for our ride, he also insisted we join him for some local cuisine and drink.
May 14, 2023 | Day Twelve - Communications Team
Although day 12 was slatted to be a rest day, it ended up turning into one of the most memorable days of our trip. Throughout the day the team participated in a variety of independent excursions all around Tbilisi including perusing the city’s many bizarres and visiting the medieval Narikala fortress.
At 1730 the team was warmly welcomed into the home of David of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a traditional Georgian Supra. With his father a former diplomat, and author serving as toast master, the team was treated to fantastic food and live music. Singing together with our hosts the team was able to experience first hand the warmth of a Georgian home, and the love between a father his son. Thank you both for allowing our team to participate in the truly heartwarming experience and for your generosity, hospitality, and kindness. You have left a lasting impression on our team and were a credit to your country.