Faces of Migration — Meghana (21), Harika (21) and Harshini (20), students from India, living in Kutaisi

Meghana (21), Harika (21) and Harshini (20) are Indian students, living in Kutaisi since 2019.

Meghana, Harika and Harshini decided to come to Kutaisi, Georgia together to study medicine in Akaki Tsereteli State University. Girls were friends back home in India. Kutaisi attracted them with availability of good quality and affordable medical studies. Medical education in Georgia is much cheaper than it is in India. Girls did expect however, that more locals would be able to speak English, making their life in the new city easier, but found out that this was not the case. 

Meghana, Harika and Harshini immediately started online Georgian language courses organized by the university and after 6 months of studies managed to learn basic Georgian. They can read and write Georgian letters and sometimes use mobile translation apps when communicating with locals. According to the girls, language is the main barrier to local integration. For example, the university library offers limited choice of literature in English, but all these challenges are made easy by the support they feel from the local community and the university. Even during the difficult times of COVID-19, Indian students had access to information and services, including access to easy registration to receive COVID-19 vaccine once foreign students became eligible for state immunization programme.

One challenge Meghana, Harika and Harshini are trying to overcome, is finding a part-time job. They say it is difficult for foreigners to find jobs in Kutaisi. They applied for jobs at fast food restaurants and shops, but they were not hired even though they met all criteria.

Meghana, Harika and Harshini find life in Georgia safe and comfortable and appreciate country’s beautiful nature, diverse cuisine, and hospitable people. Like other foreign students, they do wish Kutaisi was more modern and diverse city: “It would make so much difference if Kutaisi could attract young people, who would be willing to stay in the city instead of moving to the capital or abroad. More young people would make the city more dynamic and fun.”
 

Photo by Eric Gourlan