So, here’s my story. I spent two years grinding for NEET. Two years. Wake up at 5 AM, study till 11 PM, coaching classes, test series, the whole exhausting circus. My parents spent close to 3 lakhs just on coaching, and you know what? I still didn’t get a decent rank. I was devastated. All my friends got into colleges, started their medical journey, and there I was, stuck. That’s when my uncle casually mentioned that his neighbor’s son was doing MBBS in Georgia and absolutely loving it. I thought he was joking. Georgia? The country? Seriously?

But I decided to check it out anyway. Thank God I did.

That was three years ago. Today, I’m sitting in Tbilisi, in my third year of medical school, and honestly, I can’t imagine my life going any other way. Not because everything’s perfect here – it’s not. But because I got something way more valuable than a high NEET rank: a chance to actually become a doctor without selling my family’s house.

Let me tell you everything I wish I’d known before starting this journey. Maybe it’ll help you make the decision I made.

The Money Thing – This Is Why Most People Actually Do It

Look, I’m not going to pretend it’s not about money. It totally is. My parents had set aside maybe 10-12 lakhs for my medical education in India. That would’ve covered one year at any decent private college. Maybe. One. Year.

When I checked MBBS in Georgia, the first year tuition was around 4,500 USD. That’s roughly 3.5-4 lakhs Indian rupees. Annually. Not monthly. Annually. My parents couldn’t believe it. They literally re-read the fee structure three times thinking there was a catch.

Here’s the actual breakdown of what I spend monthly:

Rent for my apartment near campus? ₹10,000. And it’s a decent two-bedroom that I share with another Indian girl. Not some dingy hostel room.

Food? I cook most of the time, so maybe ₹5,000-6,000 per month. When I eat out, a full meal including soup, main course, and dessert is like ₹400-600. The Georgian food – khachapuri, khinkali – is both delicious and ridiculously cheap.

Transport? The metro pass is basically free. Seriously, it’s so cheap it might as well be.

Utilities, phone, internet? Another ₹3,000 combined.

So I’m living on roughly ₹18,000-20,000 per month. That’s less than what my friends back in Delhi spend on just food and transport. Meanwhile, they’re sitting in debt from their college loans, and I’m actually saving money.

Over six years, my total expenses will be somewhere around 40-45 lakhs. My parents could never have afforded a decent private medical college in India for that budget. They definitely couldn’t afford it in countries like the UK or US.

The Education Quality – It’s Legit, I Checked

When I first found out about MBBS in Georgia, my immediate thought was: “Is this a scam? Am I going to get some fake degree that’s worthless?”

So I did what any paranoid student would do – I stalked social media, joined student forums, and literally contacted people studying there. I wanted the truth, not some marketing nonsense.

Here’s what I found: Tbilisi State Medical University, where I study, has been around since way back. Not yesterday. Not as some cash-grab operation. This is a legit institution that’s been training doctors for generations. There are Indian doctors practicing everywhere – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore – who graduated from here decades ago and are doing incredibly well.

My professors? They’re not some random people. They have degrees from European universities, they’re constantly updating their knowledge, and they actually care about whether students learn or not. Dr. Beridze, who teaches us anatomy, spent 45 minutes last week explaining a single nerve pathway because he noticed half the class didn’t get it. Would a “fake” institution do that?

The labs here are actually better than what I saw in some Indian medical colleges when I was researching. Modern equipment, proper dissection materials, actual teaching specimens. Our anatomy lab doesn’t smell like death – yes, that’s a real quality-of-life difference I noticed.

The teaching hospital where we do our clinical training? It’s a proper functioning hospital with hundreds of patients coming in daily. It’s not some attached college clinic treating five patients a day for practice. Real patients, real diseases, real learning.

Why English Medium Actually Matters More Than You Think

I know this sounds obvious, but trust me, it’s not. When I was in coaching in India, I had classmates who struggled because the entire NEET preparation was in Hindi medium. They knew the concepts but would trip over the English terminology during exams.

Here in MBBS in Georgia, everything is in English. Every lecture, every textbook, every exam. This means I’m not wasting mental energy translating. My brain isn’t split between understanding the concept AND understanding the language.

Medical terminology is already complicated – terms like “antidiuretic hormone” or “myocardial infarction” – and when you’re learning them in English from day one, they just stick. You’re not learning them as Hindi translations that you then need to convert back to English.

Plus, since I’m already studying medical English, when I eventually need to clear exams to practice in India or move to an English-speaking country, I’m already completely comfortable with the language. No separate preparation needed. That’s actually a huge advantage that nobody talks about.

The Real University Life – Not Some Instagram Fantasy

I’m going to be honest – the first month was rough. I was homesick, the food was different, I didn’t know anyone, and I was genuinely questioning my decision.

But then something happened. I started making friends. Real friends. Not just Indian friends who were also homesick, but genuinely good people from everywhere. My best friend here is from Nigeria. I have classmates from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, Bulgaria – basically everywhere. Our batch has maybe 200 students, and we’re probably from 30 different countries.

This wasn’t something I planned for, but it’s turned out to be one of the best parts of the entire experience. When you’re studying medicine with people from different backgrounds, dealing with patients from different cultures, you naturally become more open-minded. That’s something no Indian medical college can offer, no matter how many times they claim to have “diversity.”

And honestly? The city itself is beautiful. Tbilisi is not some boring city. It’s got history, it’s got culture, it’s got amazing food, and it’s got life. On weekends, I’m either exploring the city or planning trips to neighboring countries. Georgia is perfectly positioned for traveling – Turkey is super close, so are parts of Europe, and you can do these trips without spending a fortune.

My parents visited last year, and even they were shocked. They came expecting some kind of downgrade compared to India, but they were impressed. The infrastructure, the public systems, the safety – it’s all actually really good.

Getting In: It’s Actually Simpler Than You’d Think

Okay, here’s where MBBS in Georgia becomes almost too good to be true.

You know NEET? That monster exam where millions compete for a few thousand seats? Yeah, you don’t need it for MBBS in Georgia. I’m serious. There’s no massive entrance exam where you need to score 650+ to have any shot.

What do universities here actually want? Your 12th standard marks. Particularly Biology and Chemistry grades. Most universities want to see at least 50-60% marks in these subjects. That’s it. If you passed your 12th standard decently, you can apply.

I had 72% in 12th – nothing spectacular. I applied to three universities here in November, and by December, I had acceptance letters from all three. It was surreal. While my friends back home were still prepping for NEET, I was already settling into my new college.

The actual application process is straightforward too. You need:

• Your 10th and 12th mark sheets
• Your birth certificate or passport
• A medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor (costs like ₹500-1000)
• Your passport

That’s basically it. No complicated entrance exam centers, no waiting for results for three months, no rank lists. You apply, you get an interview (usually online), and if they like you, they admit you.

The only thing is, some universities ask for an English proficiency test. But it’s their own test, not IELTS or TOEFL. It’s basically to check if you can actually understand lectures in English. It’s not rocket science – if you scored decently in 12th English, you’ll clear it.

Year by Year: What Actually Happens in These Six Years

First year was brutal, not going to lie. I had zero idea how much memorization was involved. Anatomy has so many bones, so many muscles, so many arteries – I genuinely didn’t know anatomy could have this many details.

But here’s the thing: everyone’s struggling. It’s not just me. Your classmates are struggling too. Your professors know students struggle in first year, so they’re actually understanding about it. They slow down, they repeat things, they give extra sessions. There’s no toxic competition like in coaching centers in India.

By second year, you start connecting the dots. Why do we need to know anatomy? Because we need to understand physiology – how the body actually works. Why physiology? Because it helps us understand biochemistry and pharmacology – what chemicals do what in the body. Suddenly, all these separate subjects become one cohesive story.

Third year was actually kind of fun. We start going to hospitals, seeing patients, trying to apply what we’ve learned. You’re not sitting in a classroom anymore. You’re with actual doctors, seeing how they work, asking them questions, learning how things work in real life.

This is also when medicine stops being abstract and becomes real. You’re not just learning about diabetes in a textbook – you’re meeting a 45-year-old man with badly controlled diabetes and understanding what it actually means for his life.

By fourth year, you’re practically a doctor already. You’re still technically a student, but you’re doing a lot of what junior doctors do. You’re seeing patients, making diagnoses, suggesting treatments (under supervision of course). You’re getting actual, hands-on experience that students in many colleges don’t get till their final year.

Fifth and sixth years? It’s mostly hospital rotations. Different departments, different types of patients, deepening your knowledge and skills.

After Graduation – Where Can You Actually Practice?

Here’s what convinced my parents finally: the recognition factor.

After I graduate with MBBS in Georgia, I’m not locked into practicing only in Georgia. Not at all. I can practice in India, I can practice in the US, I can practice in the UK, Canada, Middle East – basically anywhere that recognizes medical degrees.

If I want to come back to India, I have to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) examination and get registered with the Medical Council of India. Yes, there’s a process. But it’s not like my degree is worthless. Thousands of Indian doctors who studied abroad are registered and practicing in India. It’s completely legitimate.

If I want to stay in Georgia? I can register here and start practicing.

If I want to go to the US? I can do my residency and establish practice there. The degree is recognized by medical boards.

The point is, I’m not making a decision that locks me into one country. I have options. That flexibility is honestly priceless.

The Stuff Nobody Talks About – The Real Challenges

I should mention that it’s not all roses. There are genuine challenges I’ve faced:

First, the homesickness is real. My family is in India. My friends from school are in India. The food, the familiarity, the culture – I miss it. FaceTime calls are not the same as meeting my mom for dinner. This is something you need to be mentally prepared for.

Second, adapting to a new education system takes time. The way they teach, the way exams are structured, the expectations – it’s different from what you’re used to in India. I spent my first semester just trying to understand how to study effectively here.

Third, winters are harsh. Tbilisi winters are cold. Not as intense as Northern Europe, but still much colder than what most Indians experience. You’re buying winter clothes, you’re adjusting to dark mornings and short days. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something.

Fourth, making friends initially is harder. By now, everyone in the class has already formed groups. You’re joining as an international student, so it takes effort to break into existing circles. But eventually, it works out.

Real Questions People Actually Ask Me

“Will my degree be recognized in India?”

Yes. You’ll need to pass the FMG exam and register, but it’s completely recognized. I’ve seen doctors from Georgia practicing in top hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore. It’s legitimate. The regulation exists to ensure standards, but it’s not some barrier that prevents you from practicing.

“How much will everything actually cost?”

Total for six years? Tuition is around 25,000-30,000 USD depending on the university (roughly ₹20-24 lakhs). Living expenses for six years? Maybe another ₹12-15 lakhs. So you’re looking at ₹32-39 lakhs maximum for everything. A private college in Delhi for four years would cost you more than this.

“Isn’t it harder to get admission here?”

Not “harder” – just different. You don’t need a 650+ score in a competitive exam. You need decent marks in 12th, and you need to show that you can study medicine. Honestly, if you couldn’t get a good rank in NEET, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable of being a doctor. It might just mean you’re not good at that specific exam. Here, you get an alternative path.

“Will I regret not studying in India?”

This is personal. Some students do feel like they missed out on the typical Indian college experience. But most people I know here say absolutely not. You get quality education, you get global exposure, you save your family’s money, and you graduate with a degree that works worldwide. Those are pretty solid advantages.

The Final Word

When I applied to MBBS in Georgia, I was desperate. I’d failed at NEET, I thought my dream of becoming a doctor was over, and I was looking for any alternative. I didn’t think I’d end up loving it this much.

Today, I’m a third-year medical student with knowledge and skills that are on par with any medical student in India. I’m studying in an international environment, I’m not drowning in debt, and I have options for where I want to practice after graduation. I’ve made friends from around the world, I’ve learned more about myself than I probably would have if I’d stayed in India, and I’ve gotten a quality education at a fraction of the cost.

MBBS in Georgia wasn’t my first choice – it was my backup plan. But it turned out to be the best thing that happened to me.

If you’re in a similar situation – if you didn’t get the rank you wanted, if your family can’t afford private college fees, if you’re looking for a solid alternative – MBBS in Georgia is absolutely worth considering. Don’t dismiss it as a backup. It’s a genuinely good option that’s changing lives.

For detailed information about university options, specific admission requirements, and how to apply for MBBS in Georgia, head over to https://www.edurizon.in/study-destinations/study-mbbs-in-georgia. They can walk you through the entire process and answer all your specific questions about starting your MBBS in Georgia journey.