Imagine walking along cobblestone paths in the morning through an ancient Old Town, hearing lectures on medicine in an entirely modern European university by afternoon, then having chai with other Indian students while being dwarfed by 14,000-foot peaks topped with ancient fortresses. No, it is not a scene from a documentary; it is daily life for Indian students studying in Georgia. These experiences combine a European-style medical education with Caucasian culture and low-cost living, creating some of the world’s most desirable locations for Indian students to pursue their goal of becoming doctors.
In just 10 years, the country of Georgia, located in the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia, has changed remarkably in the area of higher education. It has gone from a random destination for Indian students to a thriving community of over 10,000 Indian medical students living, working, and benefiting from all that the country has to offer. Georgia has become a hub for the creation of vibrant communities of Indian students, grocery stores, and support networks, thus providing a sense of a home away from home while studying abroad.
Why Georgia?
Before exploring the intricacies of daily life, let us first understand why Indian students flock to this small country of only 3.7 million people.
- European Medical Education Standards
Universities in Georgia provide medical education following European standards, so that many have international accreditations and recognition.
- Affordable Education & Living
Unlike fees of ₹50 lakhs-1 crore charged by Indian private medical colleges, Georgian Universities charge only between ₱25 and ₱35 lakhs total for medical school, including living expenses. Therefore, access to medical school in Europe is available for middle-class families.
- No Entrance Exam
Students are admitted to Georgian universities based only on their 12th-grade marks and NEET qualification. This gives Indian students who qualify for the NEET exam but did not secure a seat in India because of the very high competition entry into graduate school in Georgia.
- Safe & Friendly
With low crime rates and having had 10 years of accepting Indian students, it has developed a considerable amount of infrastructure, including cultural familiarity, to accommodate the influx of Indian students.
- Accessibly Located
Georgia is centrally located between Europe and Asia, so it is very convenient to travel to either continent.
Arriving in Sakartvelo
Indian Medical Students Begin Their Journey in Georgia at the Airport.
Georgians refer to their country as Sakartvelo, and the journey for Indian medical students in Georgia begins once they land at Georgia’s Tbilisi International Airport.
Most Indian medical students fly into Tbilisi International Airport. The immigration process is simple for students who have the proper documents (e.g., admission letter, visa approval, and passport). The Georgian immigration officials are used to processing Indian students, and this part of your trip usually goes very smoothly and quickly.
Your university will also usually have a representative to pick you up at the airport; they will either have a sign for you with your university name on it or your personal name. From there, your representative will drive you to your university housing or your campus, which usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on traffic. During this time, you will get your first view of Tbilisi, where the architecture consists of Soviet-era buildings, ultra-modern glass buildings, ancient churches, and multicolored wooden balconies.
Academic Life
Daily Academic Schedule
Typical daily schedule for the Pre-Clinical (PC) Years:
- Morning Lecture (9 am to 1 pm)
Mandatory lecture attendance (85% typically) will be necessary to take the exam (this may vary across schools). Most lectures include a PowerPoint presentation in an air-conditioned lecture room and are followed by a 15-minute break.
- Lunch (1 pm to 2 pm)
Lunch may be provided at the university canteen, at a café near the university, or in your accommodation.
- Afternoon Practical Work (2 pm to 5 pm)
Labs, dissections, clinical skills practice, and experiential learning contribute to the development of the practical skills necessary for you to successfully practice as a clinician.
- Evening and Weekend Self-Study
Medical school usually requires you to perform a large amount of independent self-study (3-5 hours of study each day outside of class). For most of you, your library, self-study area, or accommodations will become your second home.
- Exam Pattern
Continuous assessment is the exam pattern used by Georgian universities, including midterm assessments, quizzes, practical exams, and a final assessment. The majority of grades will be allocated according to either a European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) or a percentage-based mark.
Academic Challenges
There are a number of things that Indian MBBS students will want to consider when they have an open and honest discussion on student life in Georgia, specifically about their academic issues.
- Academic Culture Is Different
There is a significant difference between academic culture in Georgia and India. Whereas India generally emphasizes rote memorization, Georgia places a greater emphasis on understanding concepts and applying them in a clinical setting. A transition from one academic system to another will require adjustment.
- Language Differences
Although courses are taught in English, the use of Georgian or Russian medical terminologies can be found in many cases. Patient cases and/or hospitals may utilize a document written in Georgian; therefore, student numbers will require some level of translation assistance.
- Learning to Be Self-Directed
Almost all Georgian universities expect you to have considerable self-directed learning. There is very little spoon-feeding being delivered—students are expected to take full ownership of their learning.
Social Life
There are many opportunities to create memories and have fun while studying for your medical degree at one of Georgia’s medical colleges or universities in collaboration with other Indian students attending one of Georgia’s medical colleges or universities.
One of the largest Indian student communities in Georgia can be found within the Indian student community at various colleges and universities. There are thousands of Indian students studying at colleges and universities in Georgia, forming a large social network of familiar cultural environments.
Regional groups of Indian students are common; students from different Indian states congregate together. You will find Gujarati groups, Punjabi groups, South Indian groups, and Bengali groups all replicating their culture and their native languages.
The Indian community participates in celebrating all of the major Indian festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Onam, Pongal, and Eid, with enthusiasm. Most universities and student organizations host events featuring Indian music, traditional Indian food, cultural performances, and community celebrations that help to lessen the feeling of homesickness.
Cricket-crazy Indian students have organized themselves into cricket matches and play on available fields. Indian students have formed teams, they have created leagues, and they have created tournaments. Many Georgian local citizens have watched Indian students play with keen interest; the citizens of Georgia are often baffled by the fervor that the Indian students display for a game that is not well known in the United States.
Academic integration through study partnerships among Indian students is a common and effective way of collaborating academically. Indian students form study groups with other Indian students because of their common native language, learning style, and challenges; therefore, study groups serve not only as an academic support system but also provide a source of social connection between members of the study groups.
EOCL India
Education Orbit Counselling and Links offers students complete support in selecting the best Georgian medical schools, assisting them with the admissions process, exploring visa requirements, and preparing for cultural adjustments.
Our counselors provide reliable evaluations of the academic quality of these medical institutions, what student life is really like, the expenses involved in living there, and how to successfully enter the workforce after finishing their training. The counsellors also work with families to fully understand the entire picture, including opportunities and challenges, to help them make informed choices that will help their children attain medical careers.
