Job Discussion Forums

mzuri · Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 78

I'll be joining the July 15 cohort of EFL teachers going to Georgia for its Teach and Learn in Georgia program.

Greenheart is the org I'm going through.

Footprints is also still actively recruiting for the same program; don't know about a third org.

To borrow from a recent thread over in the Japan forum, I'd like to know from EFL teachers who've been or are now in Georgia any or all of your experiences on:

Thanks in advance!

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

I wish that I brought pepper spray with me for protection and an electric blanket for the days I had electricity with me. I am glad I brought plenty of books and movies to ease the boredom. I am also glad I had all my lesson plans from Prague on my computer for the days our school had electricity and printing paper. Glad I brought my Russian language books with me.

I am still wishing that I knew some Karate to be able to kick the asses of the people who have grabbed me; but glad that my friend knew some good kickboxing moves when she was attacked. Glad I did not know enough Georgian to understand what the men on the street were saying about the blonde foreigner and glad my friend would not translate most of it, commonly was told "*beep* you foreigner". Most of all, I am very happy to be out of western Georgia and in Tbilisi now, but counting the days til I can get out of here!

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

July 15???? From what I have learned from the other participants, the training is only 1 week and then they give you to your host family in a village or city depending on your luck. What on earth do they have planned for the participants from July til September? School does not start til the second week of September.

mzuri · Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 78

That's something you might ask your connections in the program.

gerin13 · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Texas

I'm leaving on the August 8th group and I'm not so sure what kind of gifts to bring my host family or what to expect. I'm not too worried though as I'm male, which seems to be an advantage in Georgia compared to the stories I've seen for some of the women there. Has anyone brought alcohol with them? Is that even possible? I'm also leaving with Greenheart Travel.

mzuri · Joined: 30 May 2011 Posts: 78

Sweets are always popular. Given the heat, however, know that you can get just about any sweet here, so I wouldn't worry about lugging any from home.

For women, I'd suggest old-fashioned fans ... either pretty ones for the women or - for any gender - those fans that politicians and others hand out at parades and county fairs, with logos on them. Might also consider some of those little battery-operated personal fans.

As for alcohol - fairly large risk of breakage depending on handling on any given day or airline.

I'll tell you what georgians seem to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE --- roast pork. Might be a huge hit to bring any form of jerky or those skinny, string sausage things (I forget what they're called) .... Seriously it could cause tears of joy.

gerin13 · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Texas

Thanks for the advice. Jerky huh? Seems interesting. I'll bring some and if they don't like it then i'll just eat it, haha!

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

I bring my family back some alcohol after the summer break. If you wrap and pack it right it won't break. Hell I bought back 3 bottles of chacha and 5 bottles of wine from Georgia to the states and none broke.

As for those going now the volunteers there are teaching the cops and summer school. So you will have something to do.