This summer, spend eight weeks in Tbilisi, Georgia studying the politics, culture, and history of the South Caucasus; gain new insight into the complex factors shaping current events; live with specially selected host families; and engage in dynamic discussions with local activists and experts committed to fostering peace throughout the region.

About The Program

The South Caucasus have taken on unprecedented strategic and political importance for Russia, NATO, and the U.S. in recent years. While rich in natural resources, scenic beauty, and vibrant cultures, the region continues to be hampered by age-old conflicts and political instability. Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, this eight-week summer program explores cultural identity and nationalism, development strategies, the emergence of new political systems and parties, and ongoing efforts to foster peace throughout the region.

Academics and Courses

The academic program provides approximately fifteen hours per week of in-class instruction. It consists of a major course exploring the politics of the South Caucasus, a minor course in society and culture and an introductory language course. The major course covers topics such as modern political history of the region, security issues, state building and democratization. The society and culture course addresses issues of nationalism, religion, gender and identity. The language course offers the opportunity to study basic Armenian, Azerbaijani, Chechen, Georgian, or Russian based on the participant’s preference. All classes are conducted in English by expert faculty of Ilia State University with extensive experience teaching foreign students.

Language courses are geared toward each student’s proficiency level; no prior language study is required for the program.

American Councils participants receive academic credit through Bryn Mawr College, an institutional member of American Councils. Upon successful completion of the Peace & Security in the South Caucasus Program, Bryn Mawr College awards 8 undergraduate or 10 graduate hours of credit as follows:

Undergraduate Students

• POLS 365 | Geopolitics, Conflict and Development in the South Caucasus (1 Unit*)

• SOC 347 | Language and Society in the South Caucasus (1 Unit*)

Graduate Students

• POLS 565 | Geopolitics, Conflict and Development in the South Caucasus (1 Unit*)

• SOC 547 | Language and Society in the South Caucasus (1 Unit*)

*One Bryn Mawr College academic unit is equivalent to five graduate semester credit hours. Course titles are tentative and may vary depending on instructor availability.

Excursions & Cultural Activities

As part of the Peace and Security Program, participants engage in a number of activities outside the classroom designed to give a deeper of understanding of life, culture, and history in the South Caucasus. While extracurricular activities vary from year to year, past American Councils participants in Georgia have enjoyed many of the following events:

• Welcome Lunch

• City tour of Tbilisi

• Visit to the Museum of Soviet Occupation

• Meeting with US Embassy personnel in Georgia

• Day trip to Gori and a refugee settlement

• Visit to the Caucasus Research Resource Center

• Film Screening and Discussion

• Visit to the Tbilisi History Museum

• Farewell Party with a Traditional Georgian Supra

Short Trips to Armenia and Azerbaijan

Participants also travel to the neighboring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan to put lessons into a cultural context. As part of the program, American Councils organizes transportation, accommodations in a hotel or hostel, most meals, and academic and cultural activities in Baku, Azerbaijan and Yerevan, Armenia. Each short trip is scheduled for three to four days in length.

Housing and Meals 

All program participants live with a local host family for the duration of the program. Living with a host family provides valuable cultural experience to complement the academic program. Host families expose participants to authentic, everyday life in Georgia while alsoproviding a supportive environment for students. While staying with a host family, participants are provided with a private room, two meals per day, and keys to the apartment or house. All host families are screened, selected, and monitored by American Councils staff.

Financial Aid 

Multiple sources of financial aid are available to prospective study abroad participants to help pay for programs abroad, including private, federal, university, and American Councils scholarships. Learn more here.  

Support Services 

All program participants are required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. at the start of the program. Orientation sessions address health & safety, academic culture, host-family life, culture shock, and strategies to maximize a student's experience abroad. Students also have the change to meet and get to know fellow participants during the orientation. Lodging and meals are provided. Upon arrival in the host country, participants attend an informative in-country orientation. 

Support Staff 

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. 

Insurance 

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. Enrollment in the CISI plan also provides full coverage for emergency medical evacuation. 

Visas 

All participants are provided with a single-entry visa (if applicable) to Georgia for the duration of the academic program. In addition, American Councils will provide participants with single-entry to Azerbaijan for the scheduled short trip during the program. Aside from this, it is the student's responsibility to obtain any other visas required by their individual itineraries. 

Eligibility / Prerequisites

• Open to undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals

• Minimum GPA of 2.7 if enrolled

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline

Program Snapshot

Program Focus

Peace and security studies, regional conflict and stability, local language

Language of Instruction

English; choice of regional language (Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Russian; no prior study required)

Program Location

Tbilisi, Georgia

Program Term

Summer (8 weeks)

Program Cost (excludes international airfare)

$8,950

Application Deadlines

February 15