About Georgia
Location
Georgia (Georgian: Sakartvelo) is situated in Eastern Europe. It is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital and largest city is Tbilisi.
In Georgia you can travel, enjoy the life, become familiar to national culture and European lifestyle. Georgia is country of mixed culture, road to West Europe.
History
Georgia has a unique and ancient cultural heritage and is famed for its traditions of hospitality and cuisine. It is a land with a magnificent history and unparalleled natural beauty.
Georgia is a part of Ancient Civilization. It is a country of Christian culture having its own script, legends and traditions. The first Georgian state was created 3,500 years ago. Ancient Greeks and Romans showed great interest toward Georgian culture. Among their many cultural achievements, the Georgians have their own unique alphabet, which is one of only 14 in the world.
Population
Population of Georgia is almost 5 million. It is ethnically and religiously very diverse country. Georgia is a secular country as it does not have an official state religion. Due to diversity, Georgia is one of the most tolerant countries in the world. No one is discriminated for its ethnicity, gender, religious and political affiliation. Rights of everyone are equally respected and highest priority is rule of law.
Georgians are most proud of their tradition of hospitality. Every guest is “God-sent” (Georgian proverb). Love and boundless respect for guests, devotion to host’s duties and other traditional feast are passed from one generation to another. For centuries Georgian people developed traditions of hospitality. As a result Georgian culture is distinguished for its hospitality. Georgia easily becomes second motherland for all visitors as everyone can find hospitable environment in the country.
Climate
Climate of the Georgia is extremely diverse, considering its small size. Winters are short and mild, and high mountain regions offer a lot of sun.
An average temperature in summer ranges from 32 °C to 35 °C, and in winter – from 1.5 °C to 3 °C.
Safety
Georgia is very safe for visitors and residents. Crime rate is one of the lowest in Europe. It is very safe to walk outside even at midnight as policemen are responsible for every person’s safety.
Infrastructure
Georgia has the most advanced infrastructure in the region. Especially Tbilisi is highly developed in this respect.
Roads are high standard and smooth for its whole length. It is illuminated all the night. There is 24 hour supply of Electricity, Natural Gas, Water and Internet all over the country.
Transportation
Transport system is also highly developed in Georgia. Here are various types of vehicles including: Taxi, underground (metro), buses and mini-buses. Except taxi all are public transport which travel around the entire city and cost 50 Tetri (20 cents). All students of Georgian Universities are given special student cards which allow them to use 50% discount on public transports.
Cuisine
Georgian cuisine is probably the most important attraction of the country. Georgian cuisine absorbed the best culinary traditions of many people of Transcaucasia, Asia and the Black Sea coast. Hence, it is very special and delicious.
Besides the traditional food, in Georgia travelers can find many other cuisines form all over the world, including vegetarian food. Here are many foreign restaurants and fast foods which can satisfy taste of all divergent human.
Enjoy your time in Georgia
There are plenty of opportunities to have a fun in any part of Georgia. For example, you can go to mountain regions in the winter for Ski & Snow Activities. Rest on the black sea shore during the summer time, attend different festivals there, or just relax in various resorts.
Besides, there are diverse choices for entertainment without living Tbilisi. You can enjoy in different restaurants, cafes, night bars and swimming pools. Many festivals and events are taking place in Tbilisi every year.
One of the great things about studying in Georgia is that you have a great number of recreational activities. The nation’s educational administration has always encouraged its students to take part in outdoor and indoor sporting and cultural activities. There are facilities for recreation all over the country according to the season. Snow in winters and water in summers is the base of many sports and activities in Georgia. However, there are many more activities for students than just playing sports. After a long and hectic week of studies, foreign students prefer to see the country and surroundings to explore its beauty and understand its culture by meeting people and visiting various tourist attractions. Others who just want to rest organize informal dinners with mates, listen to music and play indoor games. Universities and colleges have sports facilities on the campus where one can participate in various indoor and outdoor sporting activities. And if you love the nature then see the beauty of Tbilisi through cycling and tracks are spread all over the city. Apart from this, all the other places that you like visiting when you are in India like Cinemas, Restaurants, Amusement Parks and Shopping Malls are also available in the country.
Relations with European Union
Georgia has a very close economic tie up and joint education system with the European Union. EU has visa liberalization policy with Georgia. Holders of Georgian biometric passports are allowed to travel to the EU member countries without visa. Persons, possessing Georgian residency cards are allowed to apply for a visa to any desired destination from Georgia itself
To cut in a short, Georgia is offering many opportunities for international students. It’s broadway to western Europe.
Higher Education System in Georgia
Higher Education System of Georgia consists of three cycles
First Cycle – Bachelor’s Degree (240 credits)
Second Cycle – Master’s Degree (120 credits)
Third Cycle – Doctor’s Degree (180 credits)
Note: Medicine, dental medicine and veterinary medicine (300-360 credits) are integrated education programs and their learning outcomes lead to the qualification equal to Master’s degree.
Georgia comprises two levels of higher education, and students can study with vocational programs and alongside they might need two more years of study for special training courses to attain diplomas, or continues studying in universities. This European country has the literacy rate of over 90% which is because of a prominent education system in the country. All the state and private Universities award Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and Doctorate’s degrees to national and international students. There are no English test requirements such as IELTS or TOEFL to study MBBS in Georgia. Even there is no interview and funds required to acquire Georgian visa for many nationals. Georgia offers best studying opportunities without troubles and hassles to international students for MBBS in Georgia. Other important factors that compel international students to study MBBS in Georgia are the affordable course fee, economical living expenses and cheap travel expenses. Travelling in the country is relatively very affordable than travelling for MBBS in Europe and other western countries. On top of that, studying MBBS in Georgia is relatively very cheap as well. Whatever you spend in India for any medical or non-medical specialties, you will pay almost one-fourth of it when studying MBBS in Georgia.
Higher Education Institutions
The following are the higher education institutions in Georgia: colleges, teaching universities and universities.
College – higher educational institution implementing professional higher educational and Bachelor programs;
Teaching University – higher educational institution implementing only Bachelor and Master programs.
University – an institution at the highest level of education implementing educational programs of all the three cycles of higher academic education.
Quality Assurance
External quality assurance of higher education in Georgia is carried out through accreditation process. Accreditation is conducted by National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement. The state recognizes the qualification documents issued only by an accredited or equalized thereto higher education institution.
Bologna Process
International recognition of academic degrees obtained in Georgia is guaranteed through several conventions. Among them, the most important is Bologna process.
On June 19, 1999 29 European Ministers of Education signed a declaration in the oldest university town of Bologna. By signing the document the ministers expressed their willingness to participate in creation of one European Higher Education Area. The mission of Bologna Process is to create certain tools and mechanisms for connection national educational systems, so that degrees obtained from one member country, would be automatically recognized in all remained member countries. The set objective was attained in 2010, when process of creating European Higher Education Area among European countries was completed.
46 countries are involved in Bologna Process so far. Georgia joined the process in 2005 on Bergen summit.
Other member countries are: Albania; Andorra; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Holy See; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Turkey; Ukraine.
