The FINANCIAL — The United States is one of the most popular countries for Georgian students to study in. But the statistics show that the number of students studying in the U.S. is very low.
The FINANCIAL — The United States is one of the most popular countries for Georgian students to study in. But the statistics show that the number of students studying in the U.S. is very low. The comparably expensive travel costs and high tuition and accommodation fees are the main reasons why Georgian students prefer other countries, Georgian universities offering dual programmes claim.
The number of Georgian students that went abroad to study in the academic year 2012-2013 was 216, according to the National Statistics Office of Georgia. Only 14 students went from Georgia to America in 2013.
Germany, Lithuania, Turkey, Poland and Egypt are Georgian students’ main destinations for study. Out of these Germany is the most popular country for local students, the statistics show. Out of the 216 Georgian students that went abroad, 32 went to Germany. The second most popular country by number of students is Lithuania, with 26. Then comes Turkey with 22 students, Poland with 17, and Egypt with 13 students.
These statistics are from data provided by the public education institutions as well as private education institutions in Georgia only. The statistics do not include information about how many Georgian citizens went abroad to study individually.
Caucasus University sent 6 students to the U.S. for the 2012-2013 studying year. As the students found American universities expensive to study at, Caucasus University, like other universities in Georgia, came up with the idea to become a partner of several universities in U.S. and finance the students who want to study there.
Undergraduate degree tuition is between USD 16,320 and USD 34,656 per year, and master’s degree tuition is between USD 23,520 and USD 79,317 for the entire programme in universities in America and Canada.
A return flight from Tbilisi-New York costs USD 1,000 in low season, while flights to EU countries are available for USD 400.
“The U.S. is a very popular country among Georgian students willing to continue their studies abroad,” said Mariam Sutidze, Director of the International Relations Department at Caucasus University. “But many of them cannot afford to study in the U.S.. Usually, the three best students of the Business School of Caucasus University are sent to Georgia State University in the U.S. for study. These students are financed by Caucasus University. Besides, three students are sent to Fairleigh Dickinson University, which is our new partner university in the U.S.
Caucasus University offers both exchange and dual degree programmes out of which exchange programmes are more in demand. The reason is still the same – exchange programmes are cheaper. “Exchange programmes need less finances for spending one semester there than to choose a dual degree programme and stay in America for 2 years,” said Sutidze.
In total, 35 students went abroad from Caucasus University to study. Turkey and Russia are less popular among Caucasus University’s students.
About 5-10 students go to America to study from Georgian-American University (GAU), according to the annual statistics. Among GAU’s partner universities students can find Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Columbia University, Brown University and Johns Hopkins University.
“GAU is the only university in Georgia which has so many partner universities in the U.S. and which offers so wide a choice of studying programmes,” said Mariam Giorgadze, Marketing and Communications Assistant at GAU. “The reason is that our studying programme merges with the American universities’ studying programmes perfectly and GAU’s recommendations given to the students are considered reliable for American universities. Within the framework of the studying program GAU prepares the students for GRE and TOEFL tests,” she added.
In general, 15 students of Free University of Tbilisi went abroad, according to Nata Bitskinashvili, Employment and Career Development Manager at Free University of Tbilisi.
Free University provides the PHD programme – RAND, which is the public policy analysis Ph.D. programme in America and the only programme based at an independent public policy research organization – the RAND Corporation.
Tbilisi State University does not provide study programmes in America.
Preparing all the necessary documentation, having a good academic performance level, writing an impressive covering letter, undertaking foreign language testing and finally – interviews – these are the steps that all applicants must go through if they want to study abroad.
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