American Councils is excited to offer an immersive overseas Georgian language program in Tbilisi, Georgia, available year round.
Through intensive language instruction, homestays with Georgian families, cultural activities, excursions, internships and volunteer opportunities, and regular meetings with conversation partners, participants enjoy the unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves fully in a Georgian-language environment while living in the country's vibrant capital. Expert, native speakers of Georgian conduct intensive language classes in small groups or individualized tutorials at the American Councils Language Center in the central upscale neighborhood of Vake in Tbilisi.
Courses are designed to engage students at all proficiency levels, from complete beginners to advanced and heritage speakers. In addition to intensive instruction in Georgian language and culture, the program provides students with a rich understanding of Georgia's history, traditions, society, and contemporary political landscape. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia offers an exceptional setting for developing advanced language proficiency while gaining firsthand insight into one of the South Caucasus' most dynamic and historically significant countries.
Tbilisi, the captivating capital of Georgia, is a city where history, culture, and creativity meet at every corner. Nestled along the banks of the Mtkvari River and surrounded by rolling hills, Tbilisi charms visitors with its winding cobblestone streets, colorful balconies, and a skyline crowned by the ancient Narikala Fortress. The city’s blend of old and new is unmistakable: centuries-old churches stand beside modern architecture, while lively cafés and art spaces fill its restored districts. Known for its warm hospitality and rich cuisine, Tbilisi invites travelers to savor khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), flavorful khinkali (dumplings), and world-renowned Georgian wines. With its welcoming spirit, vibrant nightlife, and breathtaking views, Tbilisi is a city that stays with you long after you leave.
The ERLP academic program is designed to improve students' oral, listening, and reading proficiency in Georgian. Course work typically includes classes in phonetics, grammar, and conversation as well as composition, oral comprehension, and reading. Language courses also cover topics in literature, history, politics, culture, mass media, and area studies.
Depending on the program site and term, students are either enrolled in small group classes or receive individualized instruction. Students receive approximately 15 hours per week of in-class contact hours. All classes are conducted by multilingual expert faculty who have extensive experience teaching foreign students in any variety of Georgian.
Programming in multiple languages (example: Georgian + Russian) may be available upon request for semester and academic year participants. Syllabi can be found at the bottom of the page.
Participants receive academic credit through Bryn Mawr College, an institutional member of American Councils.
Summer: 8 undergraduate or 10 graduate credit hours
Semester: 16 undergraduate or 15 graduate credit hours
Academic Year: 32 undergraduate or 30 graduate credit hours
EURA 320 | Advanced Conversation: Georgian | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 330 | Advanced Grammar: Georgian | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 350 | Advanced Conversation: Georgian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 360 | Advanced Grammar: Georgian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 314 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 352 | Advanced Conversation: Georgian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 362 | Advanced Grammar: Georgian | 1.5 Unit/6 Credits
EURA 315 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/4 Credits
EURA 515 | Advanced Conversation: Georgian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 525 | Advanced Grammar: Georgian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 550 | Advanced Conversation: Georgian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 560 | Advanced Grammar: Georgian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 513 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 552 | Advanced Conversation: Persian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 562 | Advanced Grammar: Persian | 1 Unit/5 Credits
EURA 514 | Readings in Eurasian History and Culture | 1 Unit/5 Credits
Participants live with specially selected host families who provide two meals per day, seven days a week. Participants reside in fully furnished, private rooms. In addition to invaluable logistical support, host families offer unique insight into daily life in Georgia; life in a warm, supportive environment; regular advice and assistance; and wide-ranging discussions of cultural nuances as participants adapt.
One day per week, students participate in a program of integrated cultural activities and site visits arranged by American Councils in consultation with faculty. Activities and excursions are designed to broaden participants’ understanding of classroom materials and host country culture by exposing them to a wide range of historical, religious, and architectural sites. Before each excursion, students gain an appreciation of the historical and cultural context for the planned outings, in which their instructors and local students often also participate.
Weekly activities will consist of visiting museums, cooking classes, local regional excursions and walking tours of Tbilisi.
Visit monuments and heritage sites to explore local history deeply.
Experience daily traditions through festivals, cooking classes, and authentic community interactions.
Delve into the region's history with museum visits.
Venture outside Tblisi to see iconic landscapes across Georgia.
To aid cultural integration and support academic learning, participants have the opportunity to meet with conversation partners for two hours per week. Conversation partners introduce participants to local people, accompany participants on sightseeing tours, organize cultural activities (cinema, museum, etc.), and provide students with academic support. The conversation partners are expected to speak only the target language to provide extra language immersion.
The American Councils Language Center in Tblisi, Georgia is conveniently located in the Vake neighborhood, a central and upscale area of the city. Our classrooms are within a 15-minute walk of many city attractions, making it easy for students to immerse themselves in the local culture. The center offers expert language instruction in Georgian, delivered by teachers with years of experience. Whether you’re looking to build conversational fluency, deepen your understanding of regional nuances, or explore Georgia's rich linguistic heritage, our language center provides a supportive and professional environment to achieve your goals.
Multiple sources of funding are available to support participants in paying for programs abroad. Participants are encouraged to apply for private scholarships, federal aid and grants, college/university scholarships, and American Councils fellowships and scholarships. American Councils fellowships and scholarships can be combined with other sources of aid to help cover the cost of programming.
Summer participants attend a two-day orientation program on site immediately upon arrival in Tblisi (where they are met at the airport by AC staff). Orientation sessions cover health and safety, academic culture, host family life, cultural adjustment, onsite support, and strategies for maximizing language learning.
While overseas, participants have access to in-country staff that provide around-the-clock emergency support. The local American Councils office, employing both expatriates and host country nationals, arrange the academic program, cultural excursions, housing, in-country orientation, and medical care. During the program, the AC Study Abroad Team in Washington, D.C. stays in close contact via email and telephone with in-country program staff and provides updates as needed to study abroad offices, university partners, and family members.
Participants are enrolled in comprehensive overseas health, accident, and evacuation insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) for the duration of the program. CISI provides medical coverage of up to $250,000 per accident or illness and full emergency medical evacuation, ensuring comprehensive protection overseas.
All U.S participants can go to Georgia for 365 days visa free. Aside from these arrangements, it is the student's responsibility to obtain any other visas required by their individual itineraries.
Doctoral Student in Anthropology and Environment, Yale University; August 2025 - Present
Summer 2025
