How expensive is it to live in Russia?
Living in Moscow spent $ 300 to $ 400 a month (at least decent). Prices are a little bit less in St. Petersburg and Volgograd, but also all a bit cheaper in Moscow than in the West, if you do not go to those places where only foreigners go. The prices shown here are approximate (the highest concern to Moscow).
Eat, drink, dine in the café: In the purchase associated with food, you will spend 40 to $ 80 per week (all prices in US dollars). The café serves a good three-course dinner for $ 20. If you dine in the café on weekdays, three meals cost about $ 7. The average cost of a pint of beer - $ 2.
Evening entertainment: A movie ticket costs $ 10 if the film comes in English, but you can watch movies in Russian for $ 5 cheaper. Tickets to the theater, opera or ballet are $ 30, but for the good places have to pay $ 70 and above. Entrance to museums and galleries is from 1 to $ 10, depending on the possible discount. Over the entrance to the clubs pay from 5 to 10 $, but not always the club entrance fee.
Public transport: The travel on the subway ticket costs between 600 ($ 24) to 900 rubles ($ 36) per month. Tickets for buses, trams and trolley buses cost between $ 0.5 to 0.9 per trip, regardless of the length of the route.
Excursions: From Moscow you can travel to the nearest city of the Golden Ring for a single day. This trip will cost you $ 15 or $ 20. Train ticket, if you are going to travel to Russia, is inexpensive (accommodation seats tickets from Moscow to St. Petersburg cost about 15 $ -20 $). Accommodation in cheap student accommodation with private facilities (toilet and shower) in the hallway costs from $ 20 to $ 30 per night.
Clothing: It is worth to buy winter clothing (hat, scarf, coat, shoes) in Russia. It is cheaper than in the West, and is more suited for the Russian climate.
If you want to make international calls, we suggest using a phone card with the most favorable tariffs: 20 dollar card allows you to make 2-hour calls to Europe and America. All calls are free city.
Speaking of prices in Russia, it should be noted that the annual inflation rate here is 11-12%.
In what form should I bring the money?
Despite the fact that many of the prices are in US dollars or Euros (including our website), the only currency accepted for payment on the territory of Russia is the Russian Ruble. You can not buy rubles in currency exchange offices in your country, so it is recommended to bring a debit / credit card to withdraw money from ATMs. As a fallback please bring US dollars (in good condition, not torn, and without streaks), which can be exchanged in exchange offices of the city, many of which are open 24 hours. Traveler's checks are not very common, not all banks accept them for exchange.
How long have issued a Russian visa? What kind of visa do I get?
Type of invitation that institution prepares for a Russian visa for foreign student, depending on how long you plan to study with us. If your program is less than 3 months, you may be offered an invitation for a tourist visa. For programs designed for a longer period you can apply for an invitation to get a 6 or 12-month multiple entry visa. Sometimes documented invitation for the preparation of 3-month single / double visa with its subsequent extension.
Normally invitation design process takes from 2 to 4 weeks plus 3-5 days for delivery out invitations to your location. Visa at your nearest Russian consulate can take anywhere from 1 day to 3 weeks, depending on how much you are willing to pay, as well as the manner in which you gave the documents: in person or by mail.
The process of obtaining a visa, without a doubt, is time-consuming, in addition there may be some delay in the process. If, however, you definitely decided to get a Russian visa, we recommend that you apply as early as possible.
You are helping students get health insurance?
Schools can provide students, as a rule, only the state subsidized insurance that will provide treatment and examination in many hospitals and clinics, equipment that is very out of date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you obtain an international certificate of insurance in their own country. Despite the fact that in Moscow and St. Petersburg, there are several European and American high-level medical centers (American Medical Center, clinic "Euromed", etc.), and there are good private hospitals in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities, access to them will be paid for you. We recommend to include in their insurance policy item on the ambulance.
It is important to know that Russian law requires everyone entering the country for more than 3 months, the test for AIDS.
What is the weather in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities? What clothes should I take in Russia?
In Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities, the weather is different (milder climate in Moscow and St. Petersburg high humidity), but in all cities there are 4 seasons. Winters are long and cold (a lot of snow and an average temperature of about -10 degrees Celsius), summer - hot with occasional rain. What clothes to take with you depends on the time of year. But no matter what time you come, be sure to note the following: 1) you will be a lot of walking, take a comfortable and not easily soiled shoes / boots; 2) the same goes for clothes. After watching the Russian, you will notice that there is a tendency to wear dark things tend to accumulate grease. To get detailed information about the weather, visit the CNN Online site. There you will learn about the weather in the near future, as well the forecast for the future.
How safe is now to go to Russia?
Is it safe to live in New York or London? Despite existing prejudices, to go to Moscow, St. Petersburg and in Russia as a whole is not dangerous. Of course, there is a risk that in the spring on your head can fall icicle. For the Mafia, you are not of interest. Recent events compel fear of terrorist attacks, but alas, there is no city in the world that would be safe from terrorism. Moscow and St. Petersburg, the two largest cities of Russia the least peaceful city, however these tips apply to all Russian cities.
Use common sense: Be careful when you get home late at night, try not to attract attention: do not speak loudly in English and do not wave money or valuables. If you go out at night, try to stay with the group and make sure that you have someone guide you to the front door to the entrance.
Women are advised not to walk alone after 11 pm, they should be wary of verbal harassment, as some drunken Russian men usually does not mince words. It's annoying, but if you pretended to not pay attention, they will be left behind.
Young people should also be careful, because the outbreak of nationalism - is not uncommon in today's Russia. Dark-skinned people are more at risk they are more likely to stop for a police check.
Small streets are poorly lit, so try to walk on the illuminated thoroughfares.
Do not take more cash than you need for the day - pick-pocketing are not uncommon in the metro, especially in St. Petersburg.
We do not want you to intimidate, these recommendations are applicable in any city in the world. Your stay in Russia should go well, we warn you about the possible risks to you to avoid them.
What is waiting for me upon arrival in Russia?
Students coming to Moscow, usually come in one of two international airports of Moscow - Sheremetyevo-2 and Domodedovo. Last preferable, as reconstructed in 2002 and is now comparable to a modern and comfortable with airports in Western Europe. Sheremetyevo - more than the old airport, and there may be delays at passport control and baggage. The main international airport St. Petersburg - Pulkovo. In addition, major international airports are in the cities of Siberia and the Russian Far East.
The process of passing formalities - common to all airports. After you left the plane (basically you go directly to the airport building) you have to go through passport control. Before you go to the bar, make sure that you have filled in both copies of the migration card (often issued on board the plane, but you can find them on the racks next to the passport control). After passport control you will return the migration card with a stamp. Next, go to the dispensing zone of luggage and custom. Find a luggage conveyor, corresponding to the number of your flight.
Before you got luggage or after, you have to fill out a customs declaration (even if you have nothing to declare, you have to fill it in and get a stamp). If you carry a large amount of money or expensive equipment (laptop, etc.), please indicate this in the declaration. If you have anything to declare, take your luggage and go through the "red" corridor. If not, go through the "green".
You will pass to the exit in the arrivals hall, where usually expect to meet. If the price of the transfer was included in the total cost of your program, a school representative will meet you at the airport and drive you to your accommodation. If you do not see anyone with a sign, which is the name of your school, wait a bit. Perhaps you missed it or your plane landed before. If after some expectations were not approached by a representative of the institution to you, call the office to clarify the situation.
If you decide to travel to the city on their own, you can take a taxi. Use only official taxi services and stay away from private owners, drivers, flooded airport. The standard transfer price from the airport to the city center - $ 40-60. In addition, you can take public transportation and get, for example, a bus or taxi to the subway - is the surest way, though not so fast. It should be noted that the international airport in Moscow and St. Petersburg are quite far from the city, and it can scare the inexperienced traveler. If you are going to learn, for example, in Volgograd, depending on aircraft arrival time and departure time of the train from Moscow to Volgograd, you should either directly from the airport arrive to Paveletsky station (where there is a train to Volgograd), or spend the night in Moscow. Therefore, we recommend that you entrust the organization of trips the receiving side.