Student exchange program “Argonauti”

 Student exchange program “Argonauti” was initiated and financed in 2008 by OSCE Mission to Georgia by the analogy with Erasmus student exchange program, implemented in Europe. The aim of project was an integration of Armenian youth of Javakheti into Georgian society as well as the destroying of existing stereotypes. The main obstacle to integration in society is absence or limited knowledge of the state language. Accordingly, the idea of the project was to select 10 students in Javakheti of 11th grade (in Georgian schools is 12 grade studies) and send them to study for one trimester to Georgian schools and live in Georgian families. When at the preliminary meetings was asked a question, where children would like to go, all unanimously named Adjara.

The preparatory work started. At the first stage, after approval of the project by the Ministry of Education of Georgia, were selected 6 schools in the Khelvachauri district of Adjara, the application form was elaborated, and made the announcement about the upcoming exchange. Project Coordinator in Javakheti Narine Grigoryan disseminated information to all schools in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts. Based on the fact that the students were studying in Georgian schools by unadapted program, the certain knowledge of Georgian was required, so for those wishing to participate in the project the Georgian language test was designed. 80 potential participants arrived to the test. After the test and the interview 18 students were selected.

Before the students were sent to Adjara, it was envisaged to conduct 10-day preparatory summer camp with an intensive course of Georgian language (4 hours per day) in Gonio, at the Black Sea coast. At the same time with the assistance of a psychologist the guest families for children were selected, according to the recommendations of the directors of schools participating in the project. We tried to select for students the families of future classmates. One student was sent to each family.

In 2008 our project was nearly ruined by the August military actions. But, despite the difficulties, after a meeting with parents of selected children and obtaining their consent, 16 participants went to Ajaria. Students were handed out cell phones and were given pocket money. Host families also received a payment. In addition, the project provided 2 visits of parents to Adjara - a month after the departure of children and to the certificate award ceremony. Once the students were taken to Javakheti on vacation. Representatives of the OSCE Mission and Project Coordinator monthly monitored the project and visited students in Adjara. Once a month the Armenian language and literature lesson was conducted for the students, so they do not lag behind the program of the Armenian school. In December 2008 about the project was made a documentary film "Speaking common language".

The project's success has surpassed all expectations. Students have adapted very well, learned the Georgian language (and some of them and Georgian dances) on a high level, not only children but also their parents became friends. Several parents (from Javakheti and Adjara) began a joint business; After completion of the project the students continued their relations, and in 2009, we met several participants of the 2008 project in Adjara, stayed in their "new" families.

In 2009, the OSCE Mission to Georgia discontinued its activities, but the project was continued with financial support of the Spanish Olof Palme Foundation and the office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM). In April, TV "Adjara" broadcasted program about the project, which was aired throughout Georgia. In November, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, during his visit to Akhalkalaki met with participants of the 2008 exchange in and expressed his full satisfaction with the results of the project. In 2009 the project worked according the same pattern as in 2008, except for visits of parents and a trip to Javakheti on vacation, because those costs were not included in the budget due to limited financial capacity. 18 students from the Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts went to study in Adjara. All of them are very happy to participate in this project. HCNM office allocated money for the creation of the project’s website as well.

The project continued in 2010 with 20 participants from the Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts and was financially supported by OSCE HCNM office and Spanish Olof Palme Foundation. 10 girls and 10 boys studied in Georgian schools, lived in Georgian families, improved Georgian language skills and found new friends.

In 2011 the project was financially supported by OSCE-HCNM, Olof Palme Foundation and Open Society – Georgia Foundation. As a result of the test and the interview 20 students (10 girls and 10 boys) were selected, they intensively studied Georgian language during the summer camp in July in Gonio, studied for 3 months in Adjara schools and lived in Georgian families.

Figures show that Argonauti alumni have enhanced chances to pass the national entry exam – since 2008 20 Argonauti students passed the exams and study in Georgian institutes.