Harvard Summer Program in Tbilisi, Georgia

The Harvard Summer Program in Tbilisi provides you with a hands-on experience living and studying in the capital of the Republic of Georgia, along with a full course in intermediate Russian language meeting daily. Additional lectures with regional experts on Russian and Georgian culture, literature, film, history, and politics. These program elements will provide a larger context for Georgia-US relations, as well as Georgia-Russia relations and will make use of Tbilisi as a laboratory, including meetings with writers, politicians, and NGOs. Topics will be brought to life in excursions and trips within Tbilisi and throughout Georgia. Pre-departure introduction to the Georgian language and alphabet for participants. Language classes, along with many excursions, events, museum tours, etc., will be conducted in Russian.

You will travel extensively within Georgia—to Adjara (Shekvetili & Batumi), Kaheti (Signagi), Svaneti and Kartli (Kazbegi) — to gain a deeper understanding of the Georgian nation and its regional context.

Program Structure

Your studies include intermediate-Russian language courses every weekday along with additional conversation practice with local conversation partners, excursions, museum visits, and lectures on Russian and Georgian culture, history, literature, and film.

RUSS S-BG counts as one full-year course (8 credits) of degree credit and also counts as two 4-credit courses towards the language citation.

Tbilisi is an ideal city to immerse yourself in the Russian language and study Georgia’s complex, diverse history, cultures, and artistic legacy.

Accommodations

You stay in double rooms at a small hotel convenient to the historical center of Tbilisi and to the Georgia Shota Rustaveli Theater and Film State University, where classes will be held. The hotel is also a short walk from the museum and arts district and offers numerous shopping and restaurant opportunities nearby. All hotel rooms and the classrooms have air conditioning. Wifi is available at both the hotel and the university.

Daily breakfast and lunch will be provided at the hotel’s restaurant. You are responsible for dinners except for special program events. Georgian cuisine is a highlight of this program, and you have ample opportunity to explore Tbilisi’s restaurants and cafes, which feature truly amazing food at very reasonable prices.

To apply, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have completed at least one year of college or be a first-year student
• Be in good academic standing

Students enrolled at any accredited university are welcome to apply. See the How to Apply page for more information.

The Summer 2025 application will be available via link at the top of this page in early December.

Each program has unique requirements included in the online application. Beginning your application early is the best way to ensure that you have sufficient time to review and complete the application requirements by the deadline.

You may apply to no more than two programs; if applying to two programs, you will be asked to rank your two applications in order of preference (first and second choice). Any applications submitted in excess of the maximum of two will be automatically withdrawn. You will be notified of your admissions status in each program in early March.

A complete online application includes:

• Basic personal information
• A statement of interest
• Your most recent transcript
• Program-specific requirements (if applicable; may include letters of recommendation, etc.)

Interviews may be requested at the discretion of the program.

Be sure to read about the funding options available for Harvard Summer School Study Abroad programs.

If you have questions about the application, please contact the Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Office by email at SummerAbroad@Summer.Harvard.edu.

The program fee includes:

• Tuition
• Accommodations
• Scheduled program activities
• Some meals (the program will provide further details)

You will also need to budget for a number of expenses not covered by the program fee. The amounts listed below for these out-of-pocket expenses are approximate, and you may incur additional expenses not noted here. Your actual expenses will depend on a number of factors, including personal spending habits and currency exchange rates. Note that expense categories — especially airfare — may be subject to significant fluctuations.

• International airfare ($1,600–$2,000)
• Ground transportation ($20)
• Meals ($700)
• Personal expenditures, communications, course materials, and miscellaneous ($500)

If you have specific questions about personal budgeting, please contact the program directly.

See Funding and Payment for information on how to submit payments and funding options.