HSE
Before
Arrival
Guide
CONTENTS:
PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL
IMPORTANT DATES 2013-2014
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE
HSE BUDDIES CLUB
VISA
MIGRATION CARD
AIRPORT IMMIGRATION CONTROL AND CUSTOMS
WAY FROM THE AIRPORT
• Metro
• Taxi
CLIMATE
MONEY
• ATMs
• Credit Cards
CELL-PHONES & INTERNET
RUSSIAN FOOD
GESTURES AND BODY LANGUAGE
SAFETY
EMERGENCIES
MEDICAL INSURANCE AND HEALTH
AT THE DORMITORY
ORIENTATION WEEK
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
Dear students,
We are very happy that you have chosen
HSE as part of your academic experience.
We know that being away from home can be
hard sometimes and will try to do our best to
make you feel at home.
Here are some important checklists and
guidelines you can use to organize your arrival
in Russia and at HSE. We suggest that you
read all of the handbook before you arrive
at HSE.
International Students Office
PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL
Please plan to arrive in time for the mandatory Welcome Day
on September 5th, 2013.
For details, see the Welcome Day program (Attachment I).
IMPORTANT DATES 2013-2014
•
•
28 August-September 13, 2013:
Orientation and Induction program (Optional) (Fall arrivals)
5 September 2013:
Welcome Day (Mandatory) (Fall arrivals)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE
The International Students Office has a dedicated student support team
and provides a range of services for international students.
The International Students Office is located at 40, bld. 1, Myasnitskaya
Street, 2nd floor, room 217. The building is close to Chistye Prudi (Red line)
and Turgenevskaya (Orange line) metro stations. Our visiting hours are from
10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
We highly recommend you to schedule your appointment in advance by
emailing international.study@hse.ru.
International Students Office website - http://www.hse.ru/international.
HSE BUDDIES CLUB
The International Buddies Club of the Higher School of Economics is an
independent student organization aimed at integrating exchange students
into the life of our University. During the long-term full-degree or short-term
exchange programs the Club members will help foreign students to plunge
into Russian culture and learn about the life of their local peers. They
speak English and will be happy to help you practice Russian or any other
language you both know. The Club will help overcome any cultural barriers
you may face and explain how things work in Russia. You can contact HSE
buddies by hsebuddy@mail.ru.
VISA
International students must make arrangements for obtaining a visa while
still in their home country. Make sure you inquire about whether you
need a student entry visa well in advance. A student visa is required for
international students to enroll. HSE provides visa support for international
students, and an HSE formal invitation is required to get a student visa.
Initially, you will be given a 90-day single entry visa, which will then be
extended for the whole duration of studies (one year maximum). To have
your visa extended, you will not need to leave Russia.
It is advisable to wait until you have received your visa before booking your
flight.
Please note that an HSE student visa is a must for international
students to enroll. We do not help handle tourist and/or business visas
for international students and/or their friends/relatives!
MIGRATION CARD
When you come to Russia you have to fill in a migration card (an important
document that you will be given on your flight and which you should keep
while you are in Russia and then return it at the passport control when
you leave the country). Do not lose your migration card! If it happens,
immediately apply to the police and tell them that you lost it (Local police
station: tel. +7 (499) 249-86-86, 14, Kulneva st., Kutuzovskaya metro
station). You will receive a document, with which you will apply to the
Central Migration Office (49, Pyatnitskaya st.) to receive a new migration
card. If necessary, buddies can help you communicate this issue to the
police.
AIRPORT IMMIGRATION CONTROL
AND CUSTOMS
When you arrive at the airport in Russia you will go through Immigration
Control. An officer will inspect your passport and visa for validity.
Once you clear Immigration Control and pick up your luggage you will go
through the customs, separated into two corridors, Green and Red. If you
have nothing to declare, proceed through the Green corridor. If you have
something to declare (e.g., over $10,000 in cash or something you intend
to sell in Russia) go through the Red corridor for inspection. For further
information regarding customs, please visit the website of The Federal
Customs Service (http://eng.customs.ru).
THE WAY FROM THE AIRPORT
When you arrive in Moscow by plane
you will arrive at one of three major
airports (Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo,
or Vnukovo).
Please note that HSE does not
arrange for airport transfers, and
we would suggest that you use
Aeroexpress to reach the city and then
take the metro to get to the dormitory.
A one-way ticket costs 320 rubles (about $10); you can buy it online in
advance. For more information, please visit
http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en and http://engl.mosmetro.ru.
You can request a student buddy to meet you at the Aeroexpress station in
Moscow and bring you to the dormitory.
Please let us know at hsebuddy@mail.ru. You can also take a taxi from the
airport for $50-60. However, Moscow is a city with heavy traffic, so traveling by
Aeroexpress may save you time and money.
If your flight to Moscow is delayed or you arrive in Moscow late at night, it
is unlikely that a buddy or an HSE staff will be around to help you transfer
to the dormitory, and there will be nobody in the dorm to accept you. In this
case, the best option is to remain around the airport area and wait for the first
Aeroexpress to the city.
Metro
For visitors to Moscow who don’t speak or read Russian, the metro can be
very intimidating at first, but like many things, once you get used to it a little, it
proves to be quite simple. Please familiarize yourself with the Moscow metro
map before arriving so that you feel a little less lost. It is also good to remember
that the Moscow metro is not the best way to go if you have a lot of luggage
or have a physical disability. Please note that the Moscow metro is closed
between 1 a.m. and 5.30 a.m. For further information, including fares, please
check http://engl.mosmetro.ru.
Taxi
We highly recommend that you use the official registered taxi services. The
situation is improving, but there may be illegal taxis in Moscow which will offer
you a cheaper alternative. However, using them is unsafe, and we strongly
advise you to refrain from doing so. We strongly advise against hitchhiking.
CLIMATE
The table below shows average monthly climate indicators in Moscow.
Temperature: in Centigrade
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
-6
-6
-1
7
11
17
19
16
11
5
-2
-6
Avg.
-3
Max Temperature
-3
1
12
16
22
23
21
15
8
0
-5
Avg.
Min Temperature
-8
-10
-5
2
6
12
14
11
6
2
-5
-9
Avg.
Rainy Days
2
2
3
5
7
7
7
7
6
9
7
2
Avg.
Snowy Days
14
12
8
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
9
10
Avg.
Temperature
Moscow has a humid continental climate with warm, sometimes
hot, somewhat humid summers and long, cold winters. Typical high
temperatures in the warm months of June, July and August are around 23
°C (73 °F), but during heat waves, which can occur anytime from May to
September, daytime temperature highs often top 30 °C (86 °F) for one or
two weeks. In winter, temperatures normally drop to approximately –10 °C
(14 °F), though there can be warmer periods with temperatures rising above
0 °C (32 °F). Summer lasts from mid-May to the beginning of September.
Winter lasts from the beginning of November to the end of March.
In winter, we advise you to bring good shoes with good traction. Essential
clothing in winter includes a hat, scarf and gloves, thick socks and winter
boots, plenty of layers, and a genuinely warm coat.
Please check your favorite weather forecast service before leaving for
Moscow to make sure you pack right!
We suggest http://www.accuweather.com/en.
MONEY
ATMs, called bankomats, are common in large cities and can generally be
found in smaller cities and towns. However, some ATMs may not accept
foreign cards. An English language interface is usually available. Some may
also dispense U.S. dollars. Russian ATMs will often limit withdrawals to
about USD $1,000 per day. Avoid using ATMs in the metro or on the street.
Sberbank and Vneshtorbank ATMs are available in the hall of the HSE main
building at 20, Myasnitskaya street.
You can also change dollars and euros into rubles in banks. Avoid changing
your money in small street exchange offices.
Credit Cards
Credit cards and travelers’ checks are accepted in Moscow and other
big Russian cities. Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted than
American Express. Discover, Diners Club, and other cards are rarely
accepted. We would recommend, however, that you bring enough cash
(2000-3000 rubles) to last you for a few days. Taxis rarely accept credit
cards.
CELL-PHONES AND INTERNET
There is LAN Internet access in the dormitory (please bring your own
cables as there is only a limited number of cables available in the dorm). On
campus free WiFi Internet is available (in rooms for self-study, library, etc).
In the center of Moscow you can often find 3G Internet.
You can bring your own phone and use it, but be aware that roaming costs
(especially data roaming) can be really high.
The cheapest way to have a mobile phone connection would be to bring
your own unlocked GSM phone and buy a prepaid plan (a SIM-card). If you
do not have an unlocked phone you can buy one here (prices start at about
$30 for simple models). You can buy a phone at one of the stores of mobile
operators (MTS, Beeline, or Megaphone) or at other stores. You can also
buy a SIM-card for your iPad or other tablet PC there. We suggest that you
avoid buying second-hand phones in the street or at flea markets.
RUSSIAN FOOD
Most of Russian food is made using not-too-exotic ingredients, which
makes it easier for you to order in restaurants. We recommend exploring
Russian food before arrival. Russian food is plentiful, varied, and delicious.
GESTURES AND BODY LANGUAGE
Smiling in Russia is traditionally reserved for friends, and smiling at a
stranger may make them self-conscious. Sales assistants, public servants,
and the like are expected to look serious and businesslike. Hence a very
common misconception about Russians is that they are very grim and
never smile — they do smile, once they get to know you, and become very
welcoming and kind.
When approaching a stranger with a question, attempt to use Russian
at first and ask if they speak English: Russians are very proud of their
language, and people will be noticeably more aloof if you approach them
speaking English. Even just using the Russian equivalents of ‘please’ and
‘thank you’ will make a difference to people.
The ”OK” gesture is okay.
SAFETY
Russia is safe for travel, but there are basic precautions that you should
take when visiting any country. First of all, carry a copy of your passport,
visa, and registration card. If you are stopped by a police officer (which is
rather unlikely), showing the copy of your documents will suffice.
Be careful with your money and credit cards. In places with tourists or
foreign visitors, there can be pickpockets. The chances that you will
encounter a pickpocket are 1 in 100. There are several basic precautions:
• Don’t let anyone spot you flashing your wallet and money.
• Beware of the people around you and don’t let anyone walk into you. This is
how pickpockets work.
• Don’t carry more than $100 on you (or about 3,000 rubles).
• Split your money and credit cards and keep them in different pockets.
• Zipped or buttoned inside pockets are best for storing your valuables – they
are the hardest for pickpockets to reach.
If someone does steal your cards, call your bank and credit card company
to block the cards that have been stolen.
EMERGENCIES
Universal emergency number (from cell phones) - “112”.
MEDICAL INSURANCE AND HEALTH
We strongly recommend that international students purchase their health
insurance from health insurance providers in their home country before arriving
in Russia. Health insurance and medical treatment for non-Russian speaking
students may be quite expensive if purchased locally from the Russian
healthcare providers and in many cases WILL NOT include 24/7 access to
treatment by English-speaking medical personnel. If you have health insurance in
your home country, it is your responsibility to make sure it is valid in the Russian
Federation. If you are interested in learning about private medical centers in
Moscow (services, medical plans, and prices), please visit www.amcenter.ru.
IMPORTANT: We do not cover expenses that arise from medical situations and
other emergencies. We recommend that all of our students book travel insurance
package designed for this purpose.
AT THE DORMITORY
Usually HSE international students live together with Russian students in
the dorm on Studencheskaya street located in downtown Moscow.
Address: 33/1, Studencheskaya Street.
Phone number: +7 (499) 623-69-30.
To get there: Take the metro to the Studencheskaya metro station (light blue
line). Turn left after exiting the metro station past an apartment building at 20,
Kievskaya st. and turn left through the second archway. The first building on
campus is the HSE dorm. It is a five minute walk from the metro.
As a rule, HSE dorms provide the following conditions:
• Sharing the room with 1 roommate
• Dorms open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.; you can invite guests until 11 p.m.
• Free LAN Internet access
• Two fully equipped kitchens and one dining room on each floor
• Shared bathroom and laundry facilities
• Bedding
You can find more information at http://www.hse.ru/org/hse/istudents/housing
Upon arrival at the dormitory you will be met by the dormitory management
and International Students Office staff and/or buddies. To check-in you will
be requested to present your passport and a Health certificate (Attachment
II) proving the absence of communicable and infectious diseases and sign a
Tenancy Agreement (Attachment III). For your convenience and to speed-up
your check-in we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the provisions
of the Tenancy Agreement in advance. If possible, please print it out, sign it,
and have a signed copy with you on arrival at the dormitory.
ORIENTATION WEEK
In order to adjust to life as an HSE student, it is essential that you
participate in the Orientation Week. It will provide you with information
on your study program, as well as other useful information to maximize
your enjoyment and positive experience while studying at HSE. It is also a
great opportunity for you to meet other international students and student
buddies. International students can visit the International Students Office at
visiting hours during their stay at HSE.
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST:
•
Check that you have read, signed, and sent the HSE Acceptance Form
with payment of the course fee (if applicable);
•
Attend local medical, optical, and dental checkups;
•
Have a valid identity document, accepted as such by the Russian
Federation, check passport expiry date, and renew it if necessary;
•
Apply for and receive your student visa;
•
Be aware of visa restrictions and tax liabilities;
•
Book and confirm flights to Moscow in time to arrive for the Orientation
Program (August 28th-September 13th);
•
Check Russian Customs and Quarantine regulations;
•
Receive confirmation of your temporary and/or permanent
accommodation (if you decide to rent a place in Moscow and do not
plan to stay at the HSE dormitory);
•
Make sure that you have the contact details of the person who will be
meeting you at the airport (if you arranged that);
•
Make sure that you have the contact details of your embassy or
consulate/diplomatic mission in Russia and the HSE International
Students Office;
•
Consider opening a local bank account and transferring funds into it, or
organize a credit card as necessary;
•
Take one copy of all documents in your carry-on luggage plus your
original passport, student visa, and your HSE Acceptance Letter;
•
Pack one copy of all documents in your check-in luggage, including
copies of your passport, student visa, and HSE Acceptance Letter;
•
Separately pack all items that need to be declared upon your arrival at
the airport;
•
Take some passport-size photos with you - they can be useful for
getting a pass, etc.;
•
Check whether any medication that you take regularly is available
in Russia and whether you can bring it into the country; Bring some
Russian currency (about 6000 rubles – equal to 200 USD) with you for
your first few days, but do not carry a large amount of cash;
•
Bring a medical insurance policy valid for your stay in Russia;
•
Bring a certificate proving that you do not have HIV/AIDS;
•
Bring your HSE Acceptance Letter;
•
Have useful items, such as a bilingual dictionary and a guide to Russia/
Moscow;
•
Don’t forget to take electronics, such as a laptop computer (and a cable
for the LAN Internet in the dorm), tablet, and MP3/CD player;
•
Don’t forget to take adaptor plugs for electricity circuits. Russian
circuits take round Euro plugs. A flat Euro plug will not fit into the
socket. The current is 220V;
•
Take some personal items to remind you of home, such as
photographs, music, and recipes.
WE WISH YOU A SAFE JOURNEY AND SEE YOU
SOON IN MOSCOW AND AT HSE!