About Georgia

Sharing borders with Russia, Armenia, and Turkey, Georgia is a Transcaucasian country located at the far eastern end of the Black Sea. The country has three ethnic enclaves, namely, Abkhazia situated in the North-West region of the country, Ajaria situated in the South-Western region of the country, and South Ossetia situated in the Northern region of the country. Running from East to West, the Georgian terrain can be distinguished into three major bands. With the notable exception of the Kolkhida Lowland, which is, as its name suggests, a fertile plain lowland, Georgian terrain is mainly mountainous, with over a third of the country covered in bush lands and forests. Towards the northern part of the country is the Greater Caucasus range, which consists of a series of mountain ranges that are both parallel and transverse. These ranges are separated by deep and dense wild gorges. This range has the highest and second highest peak of the country standing tall at over 5,000m named Mount Shikhara and the extinct volcano cone of Mkinvari.

The Caucasian ranges spread throughout the country protect Georgia from the cold air intrusions from the Northern border, and help in keeping the climate of the country semi-warm throughout the year, with moist air from the Black Sea. The western part of the country has a humid and warm climate with heavy rainfall throughout the year; however, the southern part of the country broadly experiences a moderately dry subtropical climate.

The country is majorly populated by Georgians who make about four-fifths of the population Georgians. The remaining crowd is a mix of all the international students studying in the country including some Russians and Armenians. The country has an English speaking crowd, but their native language is Kartvelian, which is a part of the family of Caucasian languages.

The crowd of the country is widely known to be friendly to foreigners and is always helpful in aiding them with any problems they might have. The locals are very enthusiastic and interactive, which makes the international students and foreigners visiting the country less alienated, which is a very important trait. As for the food, the Georgian cuisine is criminally underrated, and has a lot of options to choose from. The standouts are Khachapuri, which is cheese stuffed bread and one of the most loved food items in the county, and Khinkali, which are Georgian dumplings and the traditional darling of the country. Cuisines available in the country are many, ranging from traditional and Asian, to Italian and Mexican, which makes it easier for international students to adapt to the food culture here.

Study in Georgia

The Georgian Government has made an initiative to establish the country as one of the best ones in Asia for education. The landscape of education in Georgia has been evolving since its independence from the Soviet Union. The country has seen an up rise in the international students coming to study here due to many reasons which we will discuss in this article below. Offering exemplary educational benefits, a world-class curriculum, and a picturesque country to live in, Georgia has become a popular destination for international students for a while now.

There are a plethora of courses available in the education system for students to choose from in Georgia. Moreover, the students, whether nationals or foreigners, get ample opportunities to work part-time for handling their own expenses, many of which are provided by the institutions themselves. All of the options for courses the students get come with the additional benefits of getting a certificate of merit for students with excellent performance, scholarships, placements, exposure, practical experience and much more.

The list of courses available to undertake in Georgia are as follows:

● Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
● Basic Skills
● Biological and Biomedical Sciences
● Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
● Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
● Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
● Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
● Education
● Engineering
● Engineering Technologies/Technicians
● English Language and Literature/Letters
● Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
● Foreign languages, Literature, and Linguistics
● Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
● Health-Related Knowledge and Skills
● History
● Leadership and Ethics
● Legal Professions and Studies
● Leisure and Recreational Activities
● Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
● Library Science
● Mathematics and Statistics
● Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
● Military Technologies
● Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
● Natural Resources and Conservation
● Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
● Personal Awareness and Self-Improvement
● Philosophy and Religious Studies
● Physical Sciences
● Psychology
● Public Administration and Social Service Professions
● Science Technologies/Technicians
● Security and Protective Services
● Social Sciences
● Transportation and Materials Moving
● Visual and Performing Arts

Perks of Studying in Georgia

If you are aiming to complete your under graduation from Georgia, it might be one of the most practical decisions you can make in terms of choosing a country and the duration. Helping students pursue their dreams is a major goal that Georgian institutions have and that brings in many advantages with it, which are as follows:

● Most of the institutions in Georgia are accredited by various respectable organizations, which give an added bonus to the students who obtain their degrees from the country.
● Students have the option to avail scholarships that are offered by various institutions and private organizations to study in Georgia.
● MCI and WHO recognized institutions helps the students in setting themselves apart from the lesser accredited institutions, ultimately benefitting them in getting better jobs after the completion of their degrees. Moreover, Indian students have the convenience of studying in Georgia, and moving back to their homeland after the completion of their course to work or practice in the country without any hassles.
● Georgian institutions have very less tuition fee, which helps students complete their education without the worry of spending too many resources. Value for money education is one of the biggest perks of studying in Georgia.
● The process of admission in institutions of Georgia is convenient and hassle-free so that the students don’t have to go through laborious procedures to apply.
● The number of courses available to choose from provides the students a respectable amount of flexibility, and takes off the fear of not getting the stream of their choice.
● World-class education- Georgian institutions offer top-tier quality education, with accreditation from various organizations that recognize the exemplary curriculums in various streams followed by the universities and colleges in Georgia.
● Students don’t have to worry about learning other languages to move to Georgia, as the crowd is proficient in English, making it easy for international students to communicate and commute around the country.
● The process of applying for student resident permit is simple, and international students don’t have to worry about spending money to complete the immigration process, as is the case with other European countries like UK, Germany, Switzerland, etc.
● The degrees attained by students from Georgian institutions are highly regarded all over the world. This makes getting quality jobs for the students after completing their courses easier.
● Working while studying is encouraged in Georgia. In fact, many institutions help the students out by offering jobs on campus like managing libraries etc. Institutions also provide a bit of leeway to the students who work part-time to pay for their expenses on their own.
● If a student wishes to change course mid-way then too the process is seamless and convenient in Georgian institutions. Students don’t have to go through a rigorous process like in other countries to change their streams, which also removes the risk of the course being discontinued for the students.

Best Universities in Georgia

There are hundreds of universities and colleges in Georgia, which can make it hard for any student to choose from. Every University has its own specialty and set of courses, hence, it is important for students to know the best institutions in Georgia. This helps the students in filtering out some of their choices, and helps prioritize their list according to their likes and needs. Listed below are the best institutions in Georgia:

1. Georgia Institute of Technology
2. University of Georgia
3. Georgia State University
4. Emory University
5. Kennesaw State University
6. Savannah College of Art and Design
7. Georgia Southern University
8. Augusta University
9. University of West Georgia
10. Valdosta State University
11. Mercer University
12. University of North Georgia
13. Agnes Scott College
14. Spelman College
15. Georgia College and State University
16. Berry College
17. South University
18. Columbus State University
19. Morehouse College
20. Clayton State University
21. Clark Atlanta University
22. Life University
23. Brenau University
24. Middle Georgia State University
25. Shorter University
26. Georgia Gwinnett College
27. Piedmont College
28. Morehouse School of Medicine
29. Albany State University
30. Dalton State College
31. East Georgia State College
32. Oglethorpe University
33. Savannah State University
34. Georgia Southwestern State University
35. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
36. Fort Valley State University
37. Covenant College
38. Paine College
39. Emmanuel College, Georgia
40. Gordon State College
41. College of Coastal Georgia
42. LaGrange College
43. Wesleyan College
44. Toccoa Falls College
45. Thomas University
46. Young Harris College
47. Reinhardt University
48. Point University
49. Atlanta Metropolitan State College
50. Truett McConnell University
51. South Georgia State College
52. Brewton-Parker College
53. Beulah Heights University

Top Courses to study in Georgia

As is the case with a huge number of Universities in Georgia so it is with the courses on offer. The country has almost all the courses available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. streams. This brings in a very important question in the minds of the students thinking of applying to Georgian Universities. What are the best courses to take in Georgia? Here is the list of the top courses to choose from in Georgia:

1. Aviation
Georgian Aviation University offers one of the best aviation courses in Europe. The university has seen a huge surge in student applications for the course, and it is justified, as the students receiving education and degree from the university are highly regarded in the aviation world worldwide, and can easily get a job as aircraft pilots, consultants at aviation factories, militaries of their respective countries, etc.

2. MBBS
Medicine courses in Georgia have a staple and a high standard image in terms of delivering quality practical education, proper equipment to practice with, live demonstrations, world-class curriculum, and much more. Moreover, for Indian students, many Georgian medical institutions are recognized by the MCI (Medical Council of India), which helps the Indian students to move back post-completion of their degrees to India to practice without any problems.

3. Engineering
Engineering institutions like Georgia Institute of Technology are held in high esteem in the world of engineering worldwide. Obtaining an engineering degree from Georgian institutions not only solidifies the career options of the students, but also opens a lot of options for them to pursue in various European countries and even the rest of the world.

4. MBA
Georgia, for the past decade, has seen a surge in students applying for MBA courses. The reason is very straightforward- Quality education, affordable tuition, and hands-on practical experience. Moreover, students completing their MBA in Georgia are eligible for applying for jobs in most of the European countries in the business administration world.

5. Travel and Tourism
Georgia is known for its landscape and breathtaking scenic beauty. With the tourism industry booming all year long, it’s no wonder this course is popular, and has high standards in Georgia. Students pursuing this course get ample opportunities to start working immediately.

Eligibility Criteria for studying in Georgia

The eligibility criteria to get admission in Georgian universities differ from institution to institution. There are various entrances and eligibility criteria specific to the courses that the students must qualify for applying to specific universities. Some of the common criteria are as follows:

● For UG courses, the applicants must have cleared their high school board exams with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
● For postgraduate courses, Georgian institutions require a 3-year graduation course to be completed by the applicant.
● Many universities in Georgia have separate eligibility criteria for students to clear an admission or an entrance test of the University. It is advised to refer the University’s website for the same.
● SAT or GRE scores are required by many universities
● In certain courses like Biomedical Engineering, some universities require an internship experience for students to be eligible to apply for the course.
● For Management courses, students have to clear GMAT (General Management Admission Test) to be eligible to apply in universities offering courses like MBA.

Documents Required for Admission and VISA process

Most of the universities in Georgia don’t have an elaborate vetting process for applications for admissions. The basic sets of documents required for applying for admissions in Georgian institutions are as follows:

● Copy of 10th Standard Mark sheet or secondary school graduation mark sheet
● Copy of 12th Standard Mark sheet or higher secondary school graduation mark sheet
● Entrance exam mark sheet with qualifying marks
● GMAT mark sheet (if applicable)
● Admission test mark sheet (if applicable)
● Virtual copy of the Passport
● Letter of Recommendation from the higher secondary school
● Certificates of achievements in extracurricular activities at the state or national level if any
● Internship Certificate (if required)

Some institutions might also require an additional set of documents for the application process, which are as follows:

● Statement of Purpose or a personal essay detailing your ambitions, why you chose the university you’re applying to, interests, etc.
● A detailed CV for postgraduate courses
● Letter of recommendation from previous employers or professionals the students might have worked or interned for, especially students applying for postgraduate courses

VISA Process:

One of the best features of studying in Georgia is that the students don’t have to go through the rigorous process of obtaining a VISA. Once you are selected in a program or a university, you just have to get a student’s residential permit for Georgia, which is a relatively simple and cheaper process than obtaining a student VISA. Universities’ international offices help international students out by providing them with a letter than should be submitted to the immigration office to obtain a student’s permit. Documents required along with this letter are as follows:

● Acceptance letter from the institution
● Receipt of fee submission
● Photocopy of the student’s passport

Admission Procedure

The admission procedure after the application process in Georgian institutions is fairly simple. Once your application is accepted, you would receive an invitation letter to be filled and sent to the university. Post that, the students have to provide the following documents to the university:

● Minimum ten passport-sized pictures
● Letter of Recommendation from the student’s high school
● Copy of the passport
● Copy of the birth certificate
● Copy of the 10th and 12th mark sheet
● Medical certificate for proof of physical wellness
● Police verification certificate for proof of good character

Fee Structure for studying in Georgia- Hostels and Tuition

The best feature of studying in Georgia that attracts students from all over the world is the fee system of Georgian institutions. One of the most attractive features of the fee system of the country’s universities is that most of them cover the student’s health insurance costs as well. Different courses and different universities have different tuition fees. In private universities, the average tuition fee for students is around $5000 per year. The state universities have a comparatively lower tuition fee than private ones, which is around $3000 per year.

Moving to accommodation and food, many international students in Georgia prefer to stay outside the premises of the universities. The institutions have good and cheap hostels that include canteens and other facilities like indoor sports courts, gyms, etc. The average cost of living in hostels amounts to $1600 – $1800 per year. However, if one chooses to live outside the campus, students can easily find flats and apartments in various societies near the institutions. This, however, costs the students a little bit more than it would at hostels. The accommodation charges per year cost around $1500 on average, and the food can cost another $1000 – $1500 depending upon if the students are cooking their own food or eating outside.

Scholarships You Can Avail in Georgia

There are many scholarships one can avail for studying in Georgia, many of them government sponsored, many private. Some of the most prominent scholarships offered for studying in Georgia are as follows:

1. Boren Awards
Funded completely by the National Security Agency, this scholarship is offered to students who perform exemplarily in their academics in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The students applying for this scholarship have to assure the government that they will pursue a career in national security or foreign affairs departments.
2. Fulbright Scholarships
One of the most renowned scholarships in the world, this program is highly competitive and only a few students are able to qualify for getting this scholarship. The scholarship covers the tuition, travel, and miscellaneous charges of the students who win it.
3. International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX)
An internationally recognized and renowned organization, IREX is a non-profit organization that offers scholars and research students with awards to fund their research. The students can get scholarships worth $5000 through IREX if they are eligible.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Georgia

Advantages:

● Easy admission process
● No VISA hassle for students as they can avail student immigration
● Global recognition of institutions
● Institutions with accreditations from various top-tier organizations like WHO, UNESCO, MCI, etc.
● Value for money education- Cheaper cost of studying than most of the countries in Europe
● Various scholarship programs available to aid the eligible students financially
● High priority is given to provide a fruitful and secure environment to the students by every university, hence, making their experience during the course better

Disadvantages:

● The climate of the country is unpredictable, which might be a little hard to adjust for international students
● Although a major part of the population speaks English, the locals prefer to speak in their local language, which might make it hard for international students to mix with the locals
● The culture might be hard to adapt to for some international students, which can make them feel alienated.

Career Scope after Studying in Georgia

With a booming economy and the world’s attention on the country, Georgia offers the students obtaining their degree from the country with a multitude of advantages. The job opportunities in the country itself are many, and companies and enterprises prefer students who got their degrees from the country itself which is an added bonus. Moreover, students with degrees from good Georgian institutions have a higher chance of getting jobs in EU countries than others.

Indian students have an added advantage as the universities are recognized by the Indian education board, which opens up a lot of opportunities for the students wishing to move back to India to pursue their careers.

FAQs

Q. Do I have to learn any languages before moving to Georgia?
Ans. The country majorly has an English proficient populace. Although, taking a crash course in Kartvelian can make it easier for you to communicate with the locals.

Q. How is the life of students in Georgia?
Ans. Students have a pretty convenient life in Georgia. International and national students get sufficient facilities for accommodations as well as food. The locals of the country are very helpful and interactive, which helps if you want to explore places in and around Georgia. There are many Indian students residing in Georgia whom you can connect with thus making you feel more at home.

Q. Are there any restrictions for applying for courses in Georgia?
Ans. The applicant must have a valid passport and must be at least 16 years old at the time of applying.

Q. Is Georgia a part of the European Union?
Ans. No, Georgia isn’t a part of the EU, although the government has shown continuous interest in joining the EU.

Q. Is Georgia a safe country for Indians?
Ans. The crime rate of Georgia is one of the lowest in the entire European continent. The country is very safe for any foreigner, including Indians. However it always pays to be vigilant and aware of the new place.

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