As a laboratory to study the process of an emerging democracy, there are few places better suited than the Republic of Georgia.
Situated at the crossroads of Eurasia, Georgia became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. It has since begun experimenting with democracy and a market economy.
In a program that is the only one of its kind in the United States, 12 University students, led by James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., the Marshall S. Snow Professor in Arts & Sciences and director of International and Area Studies in Arts & Sciences, ventured to Georgia this summer to explore and study how democracy and civil society can emerge in today’s complex world.
From May 30-July 1, the students lived in the capital city of Tbilisi, taking two courses in the program “Emerging Democracy and Civil Society” and working at internships in organizations such as the Georgian International Oil Corp., the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and the office to the assistant to the president of Georgia for foreign affairs.
Though Williams College offers a three-week internship experience in Georgia, the WUSTL program is the only one to study the nation’s emerging democracy.
“It was an amazing opportunity for these students,” Wertsch said. “Georgia is at a complicated time in its history. The new ‘Silk Road’ travels through the country, and the country is becoming a site of competition among the U.S., Russia and other regional powers.”
Junior Kyra Alvez-Moats enjoyed her experience because of the stark contrast between Georgian and American societies.
“Not only did the course work introduce me to some of the differences, but also the time spent at my internship and just walking around Tbilisi gave me first-hand examples of these differences,” she said. “I particularly enjoyed the weekend trips to various regions in Georgia and the guest speakers from the U.S. as well as Georgia who presented different perspectives, thereby providing us with a more well-rounded view of the situation in the country.”
Each student received six University credits for successful completion of the program. A short introduction to Georgian language and culture was part of the arrangement, but students were not expected to speak the language. All course and internship work was in English.
University College in Arts & Sciences student Katarina Lesandric said she felt secure and welcomed by the Georgian people, despite the country’s two recent civil wars and economic decline.
“Although we primarily studied political, economic and geo-strategic issues regarding Georgia, we were also taught the mastery of hospitability, which is rarely encountered in today’s world,” Lesandric said.
In addition to their course and internship work, students were taken on several day-tours of historical and archeological sites, including Mtskheta, an ancient religious site, and Gori, the birthplace of Josef Stalin and the site of a Soviet-era Stalin museum.
Based on the success of the trip, Wertsch said he plans to continue going to Georgia each year with a group of students, possibly including students from other U.S. universities.
“It was an amazing experience on multiple levels,” senior Josh Shapiro said. “I learned about myself, the Georgian culture, civil society and democracy, but most important were the interesting people I met.
“I only wish I could do it again next year.”