Contact details in Moscow:
Program Director Alla Epsteyn
e-mail: aepsteyn@wellesley.edu.
Mobile telephone in US - 781-256-8247 before 3 January
Mobile telephone in Moscow, from 4 January
In Moscow dial 8-910-237-70-16
From the US dial 011-7-910-237-70-16
US Consulate
www.usembassy.ru
Novinsky Boulevard, 21; Metro Barrikadnaia
From the US dial 011-7-495-728-5000 switchboard,
011-7-495-728-5577 US citizens unit
Russian State University for the Humanities
http://rggu.com/section.html?id=4471
Moscow, Miusskaia Pl., 6, Main building 1
г. Москва, Миусская площадь, дом 6, корпус 1.
International Department,
contact person Svetlana Borisovna Petukhova
In Moscow dial (495) 250-65-16
From the US dial 011-7-495-250-65-16
fax (495) 251 10 70
e-mail: welcome@rggu.ru
RSUH Dormitory, building 4
г. Москва, Миусская площадь, дом 6, корпус 4.
Dormitory administration: Elena Pavlovna, Irina Valerievna
Администраторы: Елена Павловна и Ирина Валерьевна
In Moscow dial 499-350-69-66
Dormitory porter (дежурная) 499 - 250 64 14
RSUH Campus and Dormitory
The University is centrally located near the Novoslobodskaia Metro station.
Visit “Getting to RSUH” for information on its location if you are not arriving to Moscow with the group
http://rggu.com/section.html?id=4298
The territory of the University is guarded. A gate pass system strictly maintained. To enter the University Campus you must show your student ID to the security guards. Foreign students are allowed to enter the dormitory until 1 a.m. Guests can stay at the dormitory until 11 p.m.
The dormitory of the University is within walking distance of lecture and seminar rooms. Each room is furnished and has a telephone line. The bathroom and shower are on the same floor as the room. Each floor is equipped with a kitchen. You can also use washing machines located on the first floor. Consider packing your own detergent and fabric softener. The free of charge room cleaning service is offered every day.
The RSUH Internet Café is open: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat. – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. http://cafe.rsuh.ru/
Student ID card
The Department for Foreign Students will issue you a student ID card. Please bring one photograph for the ID card. You will need the student ID card:
Academic expectations:
Remember that the Wintersession Program is an equivalent to a semester at Wellesley;
our daily 5-hour class period is equivalent to one week of classes during the regular semester. You are expected to
- Attend all classes, be on time, do your homework
- Arrange for make-up work in case of excused missed classes
- Make use of the tutor, Kelima Yakupova, if homework help is needed
- Make daily entries in a diary (at least 15 minutes a day)
- Write a final one-page paper about your experience in Moscow (due February 2nd 2009)
Program Assistant
Kelima Yakupova, our program assistant, will be helping Program Director with logistical issues and be available to the students as a tutor. Kelima will maintain a daily blog of our Moscow adventures; the students will take turns reporting on the events of the day.
Exploring Moscow on your own is a great adventure and fun only if you are safe.
The Russian police have the right to check your passport and visa at any time. You must carry them around with you at all times. Usually, a copy of the passport and visa is enough. In case you have problems with the police, or if your documents are stolen or lost, you must contact the University’s Department for Foreign Students (phone: 250-6516) or your country’s embassy.
When exploring Moscow on your own please follow these rules:
Meals allowance
At the pre-departure meeting at the airport you will receive $500 for meals ($25 per day for 20 days). You will need to budget your food expenses while in Moscow. Two group dinners in Yaroslavl’ are included in the cost of the program. We might be able to arrange another group dinner at a restaurant in Moscow (if we can afford it.)For meals option on RSUH campus visit http://rggu.com/section.html?id=4312
Local Transportation
You will receive an allowance of $20 dollars for local transportation in Moscow. I suggest that you purchase a 40-ride card for Metro and ground transportation. Taxi is more expensive and should be used in case of emergency only. Take only the licensed taxi with a meter, do not accept offers from private cars for your rides – it might be less expensive than an official taxi but far more dangerous!
More on Moscow public transportation http://rggu.com/section.html?id=4302
Telephones
Your dormitory room has a telephone. Please consult “Using the Telephone” at
http://rggu.com/section.html?id=4316
We will buy a SIM card for your mobile phone for calls in Moscow. You may use your room telephone to call your family upon arrival.
Banking and money
Many students rely on ATMs to retrieve money from their home bank account. The Cirrus system for international withdrawal is available in Moscow. Be aware that each time you use an ATM your bank will charge you a fee. Check with your bank if your card can be used in Russia, if you need a 4-digit pin number, what is the transaction fee.
Documents
Passport plus a copy of the information and the visa page
Flight tickets
Health insurance card
SOS card
One photograph for student ID in Moscow
Luggage
The baggage allowance for our Lufthansa flight is two bags per person. Each bag may weigh 50 pounds and the sum of the three dimensions may not exceed 62 inches. For bags weighing 50-70 pounds there is a flat rate charge of $150.00 per bag. For an additional bag of up to 50 pounds, the charge is $200.00.
In case of lost or misplaced luggage on the way to Moscow Lufthansa will do all they can to assure delivery within 24/48 hrs. Since we are leaving for Yaroslavl’ early in the morning on the next day after arrival to Moscow you should pack in your carry-on bag clothes and other essentials that you might need in the first three days if your suitcases are not delivered. Make sure that you pack your warmest clothes – Yaroslavl’ is to the north of Moscow and it might be very cold and snowy there!
Voltage
Russia uses 220V voltage, rather than 120V. If you bring appliances you will need an adapter for the plug and a converter for the current. If your appliance, laptop computer, has the double voltage feature (120V-220V), you will still need an adapter for the plug.
Alarm clocks are essential. Classes will start at 9:00 a.m. every day and we will have several early morning excursions and activities.
Medical prescriptions
Bring an adequate supply of any medication you need regularly, and for colds, allergies, vitamins, Advil, Tylenol, for stomach and intestinal problems you might encounter with a new diet. (Immodium can be a big help). For students who wear glasses or contact lenses, it is wise to bring a second pair, as a well as sufficient supply of the solution for contact lenses.
You should also be aware that study abroad programs cannot duplicate the level of counseling support that students may receive on their home campuses. Please let the Program Director know if you have a special academic, medical or psychological concern. More information on medical help is available at RSUH http://rggu.com/section.html?id=4313
Clothing
Warm winter coat or parka
Winter waterproof boots, non-skid sole
Warm boots for city walking
Tapochki to wear inside the dormitory
flip-flops for shower
dress shoes
Warm, long underwear
Sweaters
Hat, gloves, scarf
Warm pajamas, socks
Pens, pencils, notebooks, diary, dictionary
Water bottle
Favorite snack (dried fruit, nuts, candy)
Small souvenirs (from Wellesley or Boston or your State like magnets, pencils, etc.)
