Is Georgia safe for Indian students?
Many
Indian students are now opting to go elsewhere to pursue their graduate and
postgraduate training. The US used to be the most envied place but times have
changed in the USA. Almost every day there are reports of random violence in
colleges and things seem to be getting worse. The UK has imposed rigid visa
requirements and also increased fees. One other option that has opened up is
Georgia, the former Soviet Republic. In the past decade, many Indians have
already been to Georgia for education. Georgia has many advantages compared to
the USA and UK- it is cheap, closer by, and offers an education system similar
to the Europeans. But the one question all Indians would like to know is if
Georgia is safe?
The
majority of Indians go to study in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi. First
the majority of anecdotal reports from Indian students who have already studied
in this country say that they felt safe, the people were friendly and they did
not experience any negative event. A few students said that the people of
Georgia are initially reserved but once they get to know Indians, they do
become friendly and are very sociable.
Based
on crime statistics, Georgia has very little crime. Unlike most of Europe or
the USA, the crime statistics are very low. There are few murders every now and
then, but these are not random events and often related to drug problems.
Living in Tbilisi is very safe- the streets are well lighted and there is
police presence everywhere. The city has installed cameras in most areas and it
is very safe to walk in most places at night. Further, the police in Georgia
are extremely friendly and helpful. Most speak some English and will help you
get to your destination safely.
The
country is very politically stable and internally Georgian people live a
harmonious life without any hassles. Occasionally students and protesters
do gather to demonstrate against government policies and to be on the safe
side, Indian students should refrain from such participation. While most
demonstrations end peacefully, trouble can strike anytime depending on the mood
of the protesters or the police.
Like
any country, petty thefts, pickpockets and burglary do occur in Tbilisi but
these problems can be avoided by not carrying large sums of money, being
cautious and avoiding being flashy. No matter where you stay, always keep the
doors and windows closed at night.
In a recent
Gallup poll, both men and women who were surveyed both nationally and
internationally ranked Georgia as one of the safest places to travel. This is
very different from Europe, USA and even India.
The
one area where Georgia has a negative record compared to Europe is driving.
They do tend to drive fast and often ignore safety signs. So the best advice if
you go to Georgia is do not drive but rather take the transit system;not only
is it very efficient but it is also one of the cheapest ways to get around.
No matter
where you go to study, one still has to use common sense. Crime can happen to
anyone and in any place. For women, they should not make it a habit of walking
alone at night or frequent the night clubs without a companion. If you are looking
for trouble, you can find it; even in India. So be safe, travel light and
Georgia will positively open your eyes and offer you an experience of a
lifetime.
Read: Important advise for students before traveling to DTMU, Georgia
and Hostel life can be very useful
and Hostel life can be very useful
For more details contact: DTMU India
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