American Councils: “Why US-Georgia Cultural Exchange Matters”

It’s been 16 years since Dr. Timothy Blauvelt first visited Georgia and in that time he’s witnessed the country transform from a place mired with corruption and misdirection into a functioning democratic state with strong infrastructure and a vibrant culture.

Dr Blauvelt, American Councils Country Director for Georgia, says Georgia remains to be an "untapped” market, despite the post-Soviet nation forging closer ties with the US and Europe, and is encouraging US-Georgia exchange programs for students of both nations.

Georgia and the greater Caucasus region are a fascinating part of the world, largely unexplored by foreigners—including Americans. Its relatively recent turbulent history has given Georgia a reputation as a difficult-to-navigate country, so Georgia is not yet flooded with tourists, however; it is full of rich cultural experiences,” writes Dr Blauvelt in a piece for the American Councils website.

"From wine and cuisine, to mountainous terrain and scenery, to its long history as being at the crossroads of multiple cultures, Georgia is a safe and accessible place for Americans to learn about the Caucasus, while remaining untapped by the broader world.”

In the article Dr. Blauvelt describes the importance of Georgia-US exchanges for students of both countries, noting giving students the chance to go abroad to study or gain professional experience in an immersion setting "allows them to gain a level of understanding that would be impossible from only reading books or taking classes at home”.

Only through immersive personal experiences, can we truly learn from and understand one another. From my 16 years of working in international education in Georgia, each student or professional that goes on an exchange returns to their home country and has a multiplier effect on their community. I can only encourage you to come to Georgia and experience this remarkable country for yourself.”

Dr Blauvelt has served as the American Councils Georgia Country Director since August 2003. He oversees several key US-Georgian exchange programs, and also serves as Associate Professor of Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies on the faculty at Ilia State University.

Read the full story here: www.americancouncils.org