Economic Crisis and Educational Migration from Georgia

The paper discusses trends in educational migration from Georgia. It attempts to describe patterns in the migrants’ attitudes, career goals, motivations and actual careers (abroad or at home upon return). Some statistical data is included on long and short-term academic training abroad conducted by Western organizations. There is also special focus on the difficulties experienced by graduates while adjusting to an entirely different value system while studying abroad then again the re-adaptation processes upon return to Georgia. THE SETTING The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent establishment of independence in the South Caucasian republic of Georgia was strongly linked by the population with expectations of democratic development, economic prosperity and inclusion into global processes, however it resulted in political instability leading to bloody ethno-territorial and civil wars, economic standstill, mass unemployment and impoverishment of population. Indeed, in the beginning of 1990s, Georgia experienced a sequence of the most painful developments, including the bitterness of civil war and extreme economic hardship, which caused mass forced migration, social tension and severe humanitarian problems. Mass poverty became for significant time one of the main sources of human misery in Georgia. The country is experiencing hardship and difficulties in its political and economic reform, as well as in establishing democratic, prosperous state and the rule of law, notwithstanding the great potential of its educated