Day 6: TV Interviews, Traditional Breakfast, a Massive Cathedral, and the Zoo

Friday was easily the most jam-packed, unforgettable day of our entire exchange so far. We went from being standard international students to sitting on a national television set, followed by an amazing VIP tour of the city with the rector of the school.

If you want to know what a peak Erasmus day looks like in Tbilisi, this was it.

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1. Going Live on National Television

Our morning started with a massive spike of adrenaline. We went to the studio of a national Georgian, pro-European TV channel for a live broadcast interview alongside the school's rector.

Sitting under the studio lights and realizing we were representing our school to the entire country was wild. We talked about our exchange program, our impressions of Tbilisi, and the collaboration between our schools. It was definitely a bit nerve-wracking, but it felt amazing to see how much Georgia values its educational and cultural connections with the EU.

2. A First-Class Breakfast at Puri Guliani

Once the cameras turned off, the rector treated us to breakfast to celebrate the successful interview. He took us to Puri Guliani, which is an incredibly famous and beautiful restaurant located right by the river.

The food there was amazing—they are known for their incredible pastries and traditional Georgian baking with a modern twist. Eating an amazing breakfast there after the stress of a live TV interview was the perfect reward.

3. A VIP Tour of the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

After breakfast, the rector personally gave us a tour of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (known locally as Sameba).

This building is absolutely massive. It sits up on a hill and dominates the entire city skyline. It’s actually one of the tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Walking inside with someone who could explain the history and significance of the church made it even more special. The architecture is stunning, and the view of the city from the courtyard is unbelievable.

4. Back to the Pitch: More Football

In the afternoon, we switched gears from high culture back to school spirit. The school’s football team had another match in their tournament, so we went back to the pitch to watch them play and cheer them on again. The energy was just as high as earlier in the week, and it’s always fun hanging out with the other students outside of a formal setting.

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5. Winding Down at the Tbilisi Zoo

To wrap up an incredibly long and exciting day, we went to visit the Tbilisi Zoo. It was a nice, casual way to end the afternoon, just walking around, looking at the animals, and processing everything that had happened over the last twelve hours.

Student to Student Tip: If your hosts offer to take you somewhere or invite you to an event—always say yes! Being open to these experiences is how we ended up on national TV and got a personal tour of the city’s most famous cathedral.