Interview
She also had the cooperation of the Volos Theological Academy in Greece, and support from her family, as well as friends who are former students of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.
"Although I have heard about Bossey for many years, here I am since June of 2023,” said Sadzaglishvili, who is earning a Masters in Advanced Studies at Bossey. “This one year has grown me a lot and opened new horizons for me.”
Now completing a research fellowship with the WCC Commission on Faith and Order, Sadzaglishvili said the greatest experience for her has been the direct contact with representatives of the WCC. “I saw many things from the inside and was able to better compare them with my context,” she said. "Of course, I cannot help but emphasize the fact that I meet a lot of amazing people—and academic meetings gave me this opportunity.”
She plans to bring many practical skills back to her home context. “If, until now, I somehow developed one-sidedly, theoretical research was my strong point,” she said. “Now I have a clear idea about organizational issues as well.”
For Sadzaglishvili and her fellow students, living with each other is both a great joy and, sometimes, a challenge, too. “I have never had a community life precedent before, except for the periods spent in Orthodox monasteries and in my family, too, I was an only child,” she said. “Sharing daily life with other students along with academic responsibilities requires good communication skills and time management, which is not easy if you are a bit of an introvert and creative person, and also need time for solitude.”
She tries to take time for herself, to write reflections and draw. “Sometimes I go for a walk alone in nature and pray or chant,” she said. “It's a good way to recharge my batteries after interacting with lots of interesting people.”
From her Bossey experience, she particularly remembers prayer, going out into nature, and all the other everyday experiences that bind people closer together. “Perhaps I will think better of what I took from here after I leave, when I have more time to reflect,” she said. “By the way—according to my diaries here, I am preparing one big blog!”
She tries to keep in touch with her loved ones and friends back home, because she believes emotional balance is important for her academic functioning. “And also, in the end, every learning process, and every research, comes down to one thing only: Love each other!” she said.