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diced260
Joined: 24 Feb 2009
Posts: 80
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 Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:28 pm Post subject: Georgia volunteer programs, new experiences? |
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Dear all,
I am considering one of the Georgia volunteer programs for various reasons. I am wondering if there are any new experiences out there willing to be shared? Last year there was at least one vocal female, but less from the male volunteers (and as a male....).
One particular I am interested in is whetheror not the same home stay families are consistently involved and, as a result, have they become more acquainted with "western" customs?
Any experience you can add to the conversation would be greatly appreciated.
diced |
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golsa
Joined: 20 Nov 2011
Posts: 185
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| Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Georgia volunteer programs, new experiences? |
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| diced260 wrote: |
Dear all,
I am considering one of the Georgia volunteer programs for various reasons. I am wondering if there are any new experiences out there willing to be shared? Last year there was at least one vocal female, but less from the male volunteers (and as a male....).
One particular I am interested in is whetheror not the same home stay families are consistently involved and, as a result, have they become more acquainted with "western" customs?
Any experience you can add to the conversation would be greatly appreciated.
diced |
Ask specific questions and I'll give specific answers. I also suggest that you disregard CKS's comments as her perspective and experiences are not typical of westerners in Georgia.
The volunteer host families (they volunteer to host us) generally only host a volunteer once, so what they learn probably won't apply to you. I will say that there is really nothing about Georgian culture that will shock you, but you should be prepared for a "lower" standard of living than you're accustomed to having at home. |
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diced260
Joined: 24 Feb 2009
Posts: 80
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Interesting. Okay, thanks. I contacted the recruiter directly and was provided a FB page link. I'm exploring other opportunities, but I share this in case anyone else happens to come looking for general information or trying to get a feel for the "vibe". The FB page was quite informative and useful on different levels... |
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golsa
Joined: 20 Nov 2011
Posts: 185
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:21 am Post subject: |
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| diced260 wrote: |
| Interesting. Okay, thanks. I contacted the recruiter directly and was provided a FB page link. I'm exploring other opportunities, but I share this in case anyone else happens to come looking for general information or trying to get a feel for the "vibe". The FB page was quite informative and useful on different levels... |
Here's a heads up on the Facebook page: a lot of information on there is not factually correct. For example, last month people were saying that you must bribe your local post master before you can pick up your mail, but this is dead wrong. I suggest you take anything on the Facebook page with a grain of salt. |
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jooooooey
Joined: 16 Dec 2009
Posts: 65
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Georgia volunteer programs, new experiences? |
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| diced260 wrote: |
One particular I am interested in is whetheror not the same home stay families are consistently involved and, as a result, have they become more acquainted with "western" customs?
diced |
I volunteered in Georgia for a year and really loved it. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot. As far as western culture, Georgia is still pretty isolated, but it is starting to have a lot more influence in the west, at least in the bigger cities like Tbilisi.
I�m not sure what you mean by consistently involved, but they are definitely interested in your culture and what you think. I was asked about anything from politics to religion to sex, and at least in Tbilisi they were pretty open about different perspectives. I�m sure the home stay thing has brought a lot of sharing of customs, but they get so much influence from the media that I don�t know if it would be the main source.
Feel free to ask me more if you have any questions. |
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jooooooey
Joined: 16 Dec 2009
Posts: 65
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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| diced260 wrote: |
One particular I am interested in is whetheror not the same home stay families are consistently involved and, as a result, have they become more acquainted with "western" customs?
diced |
I volunteered in Georgia for a year and really loved it. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot. As far as western culture, Georgia is still pretty isolated, but it is starting to have a lot more influence in the west, at least in the bigger cities like Tbilisi.
I�m not sure what you mean by consistently involved, but they are definitely interested in your culture and what you think. I was asked about anything from politics to religion to sex, and at least in Tbilisi they were pretty open about different perspectives. I�m sure the home stay thing has brought a lot of sharing of customs, but they get so much influence from the media that I don�t know if it would be the main source.
Feel free to ask me more if you have any questions. |
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mzuri
Joined: 30 May 2011
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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Have been in Georgia since July 2011 with the TLG program. It's been a good experience, but it has its challenges.
The rural experience in Georgia is vastly different from the urban experience in the context of culture (host families), amenities, and things to do in your home base.
Go to http://livingrootless.blogspot.com/p/teach-and-learn-with-georgia.html for my page on TLG in Georgia. There are links to other TLGers' blogs and to both the official and unofficial websites about the TLG program.
I know this sounds unhelpful, but the fact is every person's experience in Georgia is quite different, depending on your personality, if you're in an urban or rural setting, your gender, your age, your complexion, your interests, and so on.
A huge factor affecting your quality of life is your host family and the family's home.
Some people thrive on Georgia, some tolerate it, some leave early, and all points in between. Like altitude sickness, you can't predict who's going to be OK and who's going to crash. Some people don't make it here, for a variety or reasons. Most do. Some want to spend the rest of their lives here.
I'd recommend signing for no more than six months at first; you can always extend your contract. |
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