Footprints Recruiting

Just to clarify some incorrect info in this thread.
I recently arrived in georgia and NO VACCINATIONS are given with the medical check. You have to get these yourself before you come and you should be getting several vaccinations (besides those they have mentioned on the medical form) for things like cholera, hepatitis B (which I'm told is common here) and typhoid.
I post here because I wish someone had told us this before we came so we could have the appropriate shots.

Mia, I understand from what you're saying that the vaccinations are NOT mandatory, right?

@Mia: THANK YOU for restating this. When I posted this fact on the forum shortly after arriving (I am part of the second group) it was basically ignored and disregarded.

Vaccinations are neither included in the medical check nor needed to come to Georgia.

Those who do medical check in their home country must do it as instructed and according to the medical form provided.

Medical check must consist of:

-- physical as per med check form

-- 3 immunizations:
Td booster, Polio booster, MMR booster

-- 5 lab tests:
HIV, Hep B, Hep C, Drug, TB.

If anyone does not have all these components on their medical check report their application will not be accepted. If you have difficulties obtaining any of these immunizations or lab tests, please speak with us at Footprints.

The above mentioned are the vaccinations required by TLG. However, we always recommend you speak with your doctor about the vaccinations you may need to protect your health in a foreign country. Even if you are not doing your med check at home, still speak with your doctor about what vaccinations you may need when traveling to Georgia. These will not be mandatory or required for this job application, they will be for your protection and it is up to you and your doctor to have them or not.

Teachers, please exercise discretion when advising new applicants on the application process. You might have had a unique experience or your application was done long in the past. What you have experienced may contradict the employer’s current guidelines and mislead new applicants.

I am not speaking to mislead anyone, I am speaking to relay what the reality of my experience was because--to be honest--my group was misled throughout the entire recruitment process.
We also were told that we needed these immunizations before arriving. I did not have mine all up to date, wad told I could get them and the tests done in Georgia and that was the end of it. When I got here I was told by TLG flat out that there are no immunizations required to enter Georgia. To this day I have had no vaccinations.
If a more recent arrival could share details about their experience I would appreciate it.

Hi Camille,

As you know, the TLG program only started recently, and the first group of teachers arrived on July 30th. Since then TLG has learned a lot about the processes, documents and their own systems for handling applicants. Since you arrived in mid-August a lot of changes have happened and both TLG and Footprints are becoming stricter with their systems. The experience you had when you arrived related to vaccinations etc likely does not reflect what is required now. Though to enter the country of Georgia you may not require vaccines, TLG is requiring them.

What it comes down to this: TLG is currently requiring all applicants to obtain those vaccinations now as well as the other medical tests.

We really appreciate the teachers currently in Georgia sharing their experiences, however it does not help when current teachers are broadcasting contradictory information about the current TLG requirements.

If anyone has questions about the process and requirements, please contact our Georgia placement team: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Just as a reminder, TLG themselves read both these forums and various different Facebook groups.

Listen Everyone,

Do not waste money at home getting a bunch of shots and all sorts of nonsense, save your money and do your medical here in Georgia. I spent $175 US dollars on my medical back home if I had waited that would have been 350 Lari in my pocket!!!

The medical in Georgia only cost 70 Lari and there are no immunizations involved. I did not even bring my immunization card with me and no one asked me about it. If you are like me and had all your shots when you were a kid you are fine. If you want to ask your doctor go ahead but if you want to save money just do the medical when you arrive in Georgia. It's easier and cheaper!

Nicole
In Georgian since September 2nd!

I'm thinking about taking the medical exam in Georgia since it's a lot less expensive than having all the tests/vaccinations/etc. covered in the states. I'm in otherwise great shape, but I do have the pre-existing condition of Type 1 Diabetes. It's controlled and I don't suffer from any complications, and I was wondering if anyone's had to deal with this issue. I'm uninsured and covering my medical costs out of pocket, so I wanna be able to take the most economic route possible. That said, I would hate to take the risk of going to Georgia only to find that diabetics are ineligible for teaching ESL, which would put me in a more precarious spot...

Hey Derrick

Not to worry TLG will not turn you around for being a Dietetic! I will say whatever medicine that you take at home make sure you bring enough of it with you, although medicine is relatively cheap it is all Russian most of the time and it is almost best knowing what you are taking.

Personally I've had to take a lot of medicine here because I also have a pre-existing issue (Asthma & allergies) and TLG failed to think about this when they initially placed me in West Georgia which is the worst part of the country for asthma and allergy sufferers. I was very sick had to see a doctor and he demanded that I was moved. With that said the Russian medicine is amazing but a lot of it is stronger than medicine in the United States.

Also the medical insurance does not cover any pre-existing or chronic diseases and medical expenses can be pricey if you need to see a doctor. So I advise to do the medical in Georgia to save money however, I think you should see your doctor at home before you leave and ensure that you have a supply of medicine that will cover your stay in Georgia!

Hope that helps.

Nicole
Georgia since September 2nd

Hello Derrick,

Nicole is right in suggesting that you should describe how you plant to provide yourself with medicine during your teaching in Georgia.
On the self-assessment form please mention your medical condition. If you are using a prescription medicine for it, please describe on a separate page:

-- what this medicine is for (because some medications have multiple purposes)
-- the amount you use
-- how you plan to have a sufficient supply of your medicine while in Georgia. For example, you can mention that you will bring enough to last you for your entire teaching term (state how many months); or that will it be shipped to you by your family; or that you will refill your supply during your vacation trip home; or that you have researched and you know are there any alternatives on the market and they are available in Georgia, etc.). Please also state here that you understand that the employer's medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Mainly, you want to explain to the employer how you plan to manage your own supply of medicine while teaching in Georgia.

In addition, if you have any medical condition, it is more helpful if you provide a note from a doctor on its state today, then if you explain it only on your own.

The employer will review this information together with the rest of your application and will provide us the feedback. They will give us their decision about your application BEFORE you travel to Georgia and take your med check there.

Larisa
Footprints