New York-St. Petersburg Institute
of Cognitive and Cultural Studies
July 7-25, 2008

Information for Out-of-Town Students.
Welcome!

Visas
Dormitories
Arrival and Departure
Cell Phones
Money

Visas

  • Most foreign citizens require visas to enter the Russian Federation.
  • NYI does not provide visa support. We recommend going through a tourist agency.
  • In the past, students have successfully used Russian-American Consulting (in NYC),
    and Ost-West Kontakt-Service (online)
  • NB: Tourist visas are for a maximum stay of 1 month.

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    • Dormitories

  • If you have been given a place in one of the dormitory available to NYI, please confirm your exact departure date in advance
  • NB: All students must arrive at the dormitories on Saturday July 5 or Sunday, July 6. Earlier arrivals are not possible.
  • Dormitory cost for the duration of the Institute will be approximately 3000 RUR. NYI Staff will contact you with the exact figure.
  • You will be expected to pay for your dorm on arrival.

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    Arrivals and Departure

  • NYI staff will meet all students arriving from foreign countries. International students will receive confirmation that NYI staff will meet you. Foreign students do not have to pay for arrival or departure transportation costs
  • All out-of-towners must send their exact travel information in advance so that NYI staff can meet you and/or help you check in at the dorm.
  • Students arriving from other Russian Federation cities and CIS countries will not be met unless a special request is made, but you will be given detailed directions by the Dorm Coordinator

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    Cell Phones

  • It is advisable to have a working cell phone in St. Petersburg
  • Local pre-paid SIM cards are by far the most economical option, and are easy to arrange and pay for. Please let the NYI Staff knmow if you are interested in acquiring a local SIM card
  • You can add money to your SIM card in many locations, including with special machines located in many places.
  • NB: Your phone must be able to take a SIM card (for US carriers this means only T-Mobile and Cingular), and it must be "triple band"
  • For US phones it must also be "unlocked" for international use. US Students: Arrange this with your service provider before departure.
  • US Students: almost all chargers work on 110-240, and so no transformrrs are needed. All you need is the small shape shifters from the flat pins to the European standard round ones. These are readily available and cost abotut $1 each. We recommend a small supply in advance.

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    Money

  • ATMs (bank machines) can be found around the city in multiple locations, including the University building that hosts NYI
  • These machines take almost all European and American bank cards, credit cards, ATM cards and give rouble cash. Some also give cash in US dollars. The machines usually do not charge a fee beyond what your home bank charges.
  • Foreign exchange places are located throughout the city.
  • Credit cards can be used at many restauarants, stores and supermarkets. American Express is much less readily accepted than Visa or Mastercard

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    For more information, please contact us at nyinstitute@gmail.com

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