I would like to express my great thanks towards ISSI Alumni Club in Georgia and the US team who gave me the opportunity to travel to Indiana. Despite the fact that my trip lasted just for a couple of weeks I managed to get a lot personally and professionally.   
I consider myself to be one of the luckiest person’s in Georgia as during the sessions and all activities (cultural, scientific and entertaining) of International Studies Summer Institute I was the only representative not only from Georgia and post-Soviet countries but also from Europe. I had the chance to share the knowledge with my American, Canadian, Indian colleagues, we have learnt from each other and all of us came back home with incredible emotions.
Each day was packed with sessions, conferences, presentations from different part of the world on various issues. Graham Pike was leading us, the participants in reflection and discussion on global issues. Delicious ethnic meals from Italy, Afghanistan, India, Thailand, China, Latin American, Caribbean and Mediterranean also cultural nights in the evenings (African, Russian, Chinese, Moroccan nights) at Mathers Museum of World Cultures with the 25,000 item collection, West European and East Asian Studies, European Union Center which made my stay unforgettable, impressive and memorable.
The ISSI staff and all participants became so friendly that we still write e-mails to each other and I share receipts of National Cuisine with my American mom Jeannine (from Arizona), pieces of Georgian music to Dave (from Memphis), culture-related topics to Jean (from South Carolina) and so on.
I would like to say to the future participants: Don’t miss this opportunity, visit Indiana University, enjoy yourself and put variety into your teaching by becoming Global Teacher.

Eka Bakaradze  

Hello, it is me Eka Devidze ISSI 2008 Global Change Program Participant. With the help of Indiana University Alumni Club in Georgia representatives and the Chairperson Mr. Gia Kavtaradze I got the chance to participate in the above mentioned program. I’d like to say that I was that fortunate one to be the member of ISSI; it was something unusual and extraordinary. Frankly speaking threat of not being the victim of trafficking was initially great but after the  interview with Mr Gia and Mrs Titnatin all my wicked thoughts disappeared, they gave me the courage to try, the gain was shocking, I really appeared in a very  good atmosphere of honest, intellectual and  friendly society. I have no words to speak about all ISSI members and representatives of 8 different countries, I made lots of friends and the feeling of love in our hearts will last for ever and ever. Friendship in never forgotten, it is in our hearts and memories. Thanks to everybody who try their own best to develop such projects, THANKS FOR YOUR DEVOUTNESS.  

2008 IU Summer School Program has been completed. Ms. Eka Devidze has returned from IU. Our Club’s second nominee for this year’s ISSI Ms. Tamar Amashukeli has been denied the US entry visa, and she could not participate in the Program. Despite the latter, Ms. Tamar Amashukeli becomes the member of our Club.

July 10- 23, 2005 Indiana University Bloomington , IN

2005 IU Summer School Program has been completed. Ms. Thea Paichadze and Mr. Durmishkhan Shavishvili returned from IU.

July 11 - 24, 2004 Indiana University Bloomington , IN

IU Alumni Club in Georgia selected two candidates for 2004 International Studies Summer Institute program: Ms. Tinatin Rodonaia and Ms. Lia Goksadze, both College Level Teachers.

It is already second year that Indiana university sends invitation to Georgian IU Alumni club with a proposal for students and teachers to spend two weeks at IU summer school. Unfortunately this year the invitation came only for teachers.

The members of IU Alumni club gathered at the office and assigned three members to look other this matter that is select two Georgian te ach er for the program. The members were Mr. Gia Kavtaradze (lawyer), Rowena Cross Najafi (public affairs officer) and Kitty Darakhvelidze ( student ).

The first thing was to spread advertisements all over the capital in schools or internet web sites to get people know about the program. Shortly the advertisement said that the club needed school teachers who would be able to pay for traveling and wishing to go to IU university summer school. Also volunteers had to hand in their CV and latter of recommendation. In total about 35 people responded.

On May 20 th the three selected members gathered and discussed 35 applications. The competition seemed to be very tough. The debates were long and very intensive and by the end of the day 5 candidates were selected for interview, which itself was held on 24 th of May. All of the five candidates were women of different ages, but same pro fes sion – te ach ers. As IU invited only two persons at summers school, con sci ously two out of five were left.

The club has done everything in choosing candidates , sending information , and now it is up to two lucky teachers to have a good and fruitful time at IU.

written by Kitty Darakhvekidze

May 2004

On May 1, 2004 was held first meeting of members of Indiana University (IU) Alumni Club in Georgia .

The meeting was held to give opportunity to the club members to get know each other. There are about 14-15 members in the club. All of them have studied in IU University, and some of them even taught.

the members of the club recalled some facts connected with their arrival to IU and discussed future relationships and plans about the university. There will be held several meetings in near future, on which bases the Alumni Club hopes to establish relationship between many Georgian universities, colleges or high schools with IU. At the moment IU and The Center for the Study of Global Change is interested two accept two teachers from Georgia to have a two week summer study program.

written by Kitty Darakhvelidze

July 13 - 26, 2003 Indiana University Bloomington , IN

IU Alumni Club in Georgia selected two candidates for 2003 International Studies Summer Institutes program: Ms. Kitty Darakhvelidze – College Student, and Ms. Ann Zedginidze – College Teacher.