Author: Karsten Drath

About 30 years ago, two zis scholarships helped me to broaden my horizon, expand my understanding of what is possible, and develop more self-confidence. zis is a non-profit organization that has been awarding scholarships for study trips to young people between the ages of 16 and 20 for more than 60 years. Today, the word we use for tenacity and grit is resilience - and I've made it my profession, to help managers around the world to develop more of this inner power. In retrospect, the experiences I've had on these trips to Scotland and Iceland have been priceless for my development. After having had a childhood with some challenges, I learned that I could cycle 1,700km on my own and get wet every day without despairing. I have learned that I was able to get along with only 300 € for 4 weeks and still had a good time. I have learned what it's like to be threatened with deportation and how to get an interview with the President from such a crisis. I have understood that limitations are primarily constructs in our heads, and I want to make these insights available to as many adolescents as possible.

Day 26: Chaschuri to Tiblisi

Distance: 139km Elevation: 984m Tiblisi: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mMrPuucBxfn8RwKU7?g_st=ic This was going to be the longest day of the tour so far. Almost 140 kilometers. I was on the bike by seven-thirty. I stopped at the first shop I could find to get something for breakfast. All the products on the shelf had a visible layer of dust … Continue reading Day 26: Chaschuri to Tiblisi →

Day 25: Kutaissi to Chaschuri

Distance: 117 Elevation: 1.407m Chaschuri: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KhNszPGD5aFko4Ux9?g_st=ic During my „rest day“ I had been quite busy e.g. with travel logistics. Firstly, I cancelled my return flight and did not book a new one yet because there were still too many unknowns. It was a strange feeling. For the first time ever, I did not have a … Continue reading Day 25: Kutaissi to Chaschuri →

11 Interesting Facts about Georgia

Georgia surprised me. Here are eleven things I did not know before I arrived. 1. Georgia is the birthplace of wine. This is not a marketing claim. It is archaeology. Grape seeds and clay vessels found in southeastern Georgia have been dated to around 6,000 BC. That makes Georgian winemaking 8,000 years old — 3,000 … Continue reading 11 Interesting Facts about Georgia →