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Tbilisi State University

Georgia 2018/2019 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Economics and Administration

Field of study:
MFTAP

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2018

Period of placement (from-to):
2018-09-19 - 2019-02-12

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
University has provided an excel document. MOre detailed information we could find at the coordinator´s office or during the welcoming day.

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Letter of Nomination
CV
Copy of BA Diploma (for MA students)
Learning Agreement
Transcript of University Records
Copy of passport
Proof of English language skills
Photo (3 cm x 4 cm)
Health insurance

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
few months before departure (3-5months approximately)

Did you need a visa?:
- choose option -

Documents and materials needed for a visa:

Length of wait for visa:

Fee for the visa:

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes, but not all of them.

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
we physically signed up for courses. The only problem was, that almost every course has started during different date/week.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
yes

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
yes

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Mostly we had theoretical courses, but comparing to Masaryk University, there were more written assignments or position papers as a "homework". Courses took place mainly in the evenings, also Saturdays.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
Equal

How did you receive study materials?:
By mail, or via office for foreign students. It was all well organised.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
Georgian language and political systems of Europe (lecturer is a former diplomat of Georgia in the UK)

How well is the school library equipped?:
You can find everything necessary for courses.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
University premises are well covered by internet connection. Mobile data is extra cheap comparing to European prices. A personal notebook is a must (a lot of work for the university).

Options from printing and copying:
Extra cheap and you can find a copy stands everywhere open 24/7.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
Information day, meetings with other exchange students, etc.

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
2

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
At the dormitory and later I moved to the centre of Tbilisi.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
120 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
Price included everything. I didn't get any additional bills.

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
You can buy everything at the local market for ridiculously cheap prices. No need for anything.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
University provides a place at the dorm for foreign students, however, it is very far from the centre and the traffic is horrible. You can find a place in a shared apartment in a week. Use FB groups or Airbnb and discuss longterm stay, they can make a special discount for you.

What are the catering options?:
There is no university canteen. Maybe there is but I have never found it. Local food is extremely tasty and cheap. ALso eating in a restaurant is accessible.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Way cheaper than in Czechia.

Transport to location of placement:
Direct flight Prague to Kutaisi, GeorgianBus to Tbilisi.

Rough prices for transportation:
flights are approximately 50-100 EUR one way.

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Book Wizzair flight to Kutaisi and take a bus to the capital, not a flight to Tbilisi.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
0,5 GEL per one way on bus or subway, valid for 90 min. Cca 0,15 EUR
No possibilities for cyclists in the city, the traffic is awful and drivers crazy. It might be too dangerous. You can get everywhere by grabbing a taxi for at maximum 10 GEL/3EUR.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Nothing special, EU and Georgia have the visa-free policy if the stay is not longer than 1 year.

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
Erapo (provided by Union) for the length of my stay (120 EUR) and Alpenverein.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
no

Did you work during your studies?:
no

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
Salaries are too low to work there.

Tips for free-time activities:
Skiing - Gudauri, a season is December-April, the powder is awesome! you can rent everything there
Hiking - Mount Kazbek, hiking is possible basically everywhere in Georgia
Bars, cafes, restaurants - locals are famous for their hospitality
Travelling - the country is incredibly beautiful, worth visiting also Armenia, Azerbaijan
Museums - entrance fee is less than 1 EUR for students
Food/wine tasting - every region has its own specialities

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
50000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
10000 CZK

Number of supported months:
5

Total number of months:
5,5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
My own savings, but also 10 000 CZK would be enough.

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:
From the centre for development, around 10 000 CZK

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
150 EUR

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 GEL

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 GEL

c/ amount of other fees (which):
150 EUR

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
900 GEL

a/ of which for accommodation:
370 GEL

b/ of which for catering:
200 GEL

c/ travel and recreation:
300 GEL

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
It depends on what you are doing, where are you travelling to, what are you eating, etc.

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
20

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
20

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
not really

What problems did you have with recognition?:
Some of the courses I wanted to sign up for were not open for foreigners, so I had to change my LA.

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
1

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
not at all

What would you recommend to take with you:
you can get everything you want at the place. Be patient with the traffic.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
The hospitality of locals
the attitude of lecturers

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Evening courses and weekend courses.

Further comments:
It was awesome! Thank you once again for this possibility! I really appreciate to be in Georgia and travel around!