By Barbare Tchkoidze ’18 (Khashuri, Georgia, placed by AIFS in Montclair, VA)
Erekle Gozalishvili’s journey from Georgia to the U.S. to the heart of European political institutions showcases his determination for change. As a distinguished alumnus of the 2016 generation, Erekle’s exchange path led him to secure prestigious internships at the European Parliament, Council of Europe, and the Aspen Institute earlier this year.
Erekle spent his FLEX year in Sapulpa, OK, and, with support from his host family, had the opportunity to participate in several networking meetings in nearby Tulsa, including meeting with the city mayor and local court attendees. These kinds of activities inspired Erekle to choose to study diplomacy and politics.
Following his return to Georgia, Erekle volunteered as a FLEX Volunteer City Representative (CR) for half a year before leaving for an Erasmus+ program in Norway. During his time as a CR, Erekle made various presentations about his FLEX experience in the schools of Gori and organized several events, such as book readings and movie screenings with young participants.
In 2022, Erekle’s political journey began when he received a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship for his master’s degree in European Studies, which he credits as crucial to his professional growth. This scholarship allowed him to study at the University of Regensburg and complete an exchange semester at Aalborg University in Denmark, enhancing his skills in diplomacy, research, analytical thinking, and knowledge of EU-related policy issues, as well as international relations.
Since then, he also gained valuable experience through positions at the Georgian Institute of Politics, the Georgian Parliament (supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Georgia), the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, and the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies.
Erekle’s success story continued to unfold as he secured the Robert Schuman Traineeship at the European Parliament, Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP), and an internship at the Aspen Institute earlier this year. As a Schuman Trainee, Erekle worked at the DG External Policies of the Union, Parliamentary Support and Capacity Building Unit. His main focus was to work on EU candidate countries and the roles of parliaments in democracy support.
At the Georgian Institute of Politics, Erekle mainly works on Horizon Europe-related research projects about deradicalization and EU enlargement. His internship at the Aspen Institute allowed him to work on side events of the Munich Security Conference and Munich Cyber Security Conference 2024.
Reflecting on his path, Erekle emphasizes the role of his exchange year: “Being a FLEX alumnus is a responsibility and an opportunity at the same time to present yourself in the world as best as possible,” says Erekle. He believes the FLEX program played a significant role in developing his responsible behavior and high attention to detail. “My FLEX experience was one of the major defining moments of my life, as this is when I first became interested in International Relations and Political Science,” he continues. “The motivation for me to thrive towards success was also inspired by the FLEX program, as it was a starting point for my professional and personal development.”
Erekle’s story highlights the idea that FLEX alumni carry a unique responsibility to represent the best of themselves and their countries to make positive change. Erekle’s dedication to making change and bettering his country is a testament to the enduring impact of FLEX, and we look forward to seeing where his road leads.
Featured Alumni:
Erekle Gozalishvili ’16 (Gori, Georgia, placed by World Learning in Sapulpa, OK)
