Being able to stay
I am Elena and I am from Italy. I selected this project because it was one of the few that allowed me to be in contact with the beneficiaries and because I have always been curious about living in an eastern country.
The first days here were really hard for me. Before moving to Georgia, I was afraid of the potential linguistic difficulties. Then, when I arrived, I found that all my fears were real.
Most of the people of Zugdidi don't speak English, except for the youth.
My main problem is that, during my daily life, I have to interact with mean age or old people who usually only speak Georgian or Russian. I also live in a family with two old people and their son.
Communication difficulties strongly frustrated me. Despite this, they pushed me to find the few expats who live here.
I know these manners of saying which really expressed my mood and feelings: “drink or drown” or “when life gives you lemons, make a lemonade”.
A good idea was to go to the library where, at the American Corner, I found people of my age from the United States who joined a program to teach English here.
Another good place to find people is Megobar which is a pub frequented by youth and some foreigners. In this way I could meet someone to talk with and who shared an experience similar to mine.
Also being selected with another Italian volunteer is a good resource.
Here we have the opportunity to follow Georgian lesson as well. Even if I, after one month, I only learned some words, I can say that it is better than nothing.
At Merkuri, Olga is our trainer and She gives us a weekly space where we can share our feelings and problems. I personally find it useful.
I have just started the job, so I don’t know what to expect yet.
From what I experienced, Georgian people are welcoming and their food is very good.
Life here is cheaper than Italy: for example a middle pint in a pub costs 3 GEL which is almost 1 euro and the same is for the street food: you can have a meal for less than 3 euro.
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