{"id":5316,"date":"2019-05-12T18:22:53","date_gmt":"2019-05-12T18:22:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arisc.org\/?p=5316"},"modified":"2026-02-24T16:36:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T16:36:10","slug":"georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arisc.org\/?p=5316","title":{"rendered":"Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Representative for Georgia<\/strong> (Georgia \u201cat\u201d arisc. org)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diana Lezhava is a doctoral candidate of sociology of education, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. She holds an M.A in International Politics, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. Has more than 14 years of experience in grant project development and management. Diana is a Resident Director of the Georgia Branch of the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus (ARISC) since 2014. She worked at the Center for Social Sciences (CSS) on different positions in 2010-2023. In 2014-2023 she served as an Administrative Director of CSS, as well as a researcher in the Education and Development program. She has conducted a number of research projects especially in respect to studying higher education and is the author\/co-author of respective publications. Since 2018 she is the higher education expert of European Union Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education and Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (since 2023). Her research interests comprise: higher education policy and management, post-soviet transformations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I have been visiting Georgia since the mid-1990s and I have been able to witness the ebb and flow of interest in the country. In 1995, English speakers could only find a small library of donated English-language books in a large room on the first floor of Tbilisi State University. I believe it was run by IREX and it was an oasis for visitors and academics who could not speak Russian, which seemed to be the only other language besides Georgian that opened doors in Georgia. Later the Goethe Institute opened its center and the British Council had an array of services. I believe the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus has a special service to offer Americans across the three South Caucasian nations. It understands the area has a similar history and strives not to underline the differences but rather the similarities. By embracing scholars and students across these three interests, they not only provide a valuable service but one that emphasizes unity across geographical space. My hope is that the organization can grow into an oasis for future scholars, that provides a variety of services and continues its cross-Caucasian approach. <\/p>\nHulya Sakarya, ARISC Member<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

ARISC Georgia Newsletter \u2013 Spring-Summer 2015<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ARISC Georgia Newsletter \u2013 Winter 2015<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inclusion of the links below does not imply affiliation with ARISC nor the endorsement of views appearing on these sites.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to orientate in Tbilisi, Georgia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ARISC Georgia offers some tips and advice about how and where to go arround Tbilisi:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transportation:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Transportation from Tbilisi airport to the city center:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Take a shuttle (bus #337) – cost 1 Gel (0.40 USD). The payment is possible with a ” Metro money” card, as well as with different bank cards.
2. Get a taxi outside the airport, or call: +995 322 05 21 00 – cost is 40-60 Gel (20-30 USD)
3. Use “Bolt” Taxi application. Price varies depending on the destination.
4. Order transfer at the hotel – depends upon the hotel prices
5. Order a transfer online – www.airport-transfer.ge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting around Tbilisi:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tbilisi city center is the main destination for visitors. Vake is the district where all the main universities (Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, etc.) are located.  Mtatsminda is the heart of Tbilisi connecting with downtown (historic city center) Tbilisi. For orientating in Tbilisi It is easy to find using the map downloaded here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about moving around or outside Tbilisi, please visit: www.info-tbilisi.com\/usefulinfos\/busroutes\/<\/a>, use taxi service \u2013 www.info-tbilisi.com\/usefulinfos\/taxi\/<\/a>  or download Tbilisi Underground route<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lodging:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n