1. How can I get a student ID?

If the registration is arranged, the contract is signed, the whole program fee is paid for, a student can get a student ID (Saint Petersburg State University student identification card). We ask a student to bring one picture and the receipt from our cashier's office to room 114 to issue a student ID.

Many museums and theatres in Saint Petersburg offer discount prices upon showing student ID card.

2. Are there any student discounts for public transportation?

Though the citizens of Russian Federation studying at Institutions of Higher Education are eligible for public transportation discounts, unfortunately foreign students are not. However, even without discounts public transport is rather inexpensive since it is financed from the municipal budget and subsidized.

There are many options to pay for transportation. The choice depends on the length of a student's stay in Russia and preferred type of transport. Students can buy multi-ride cards for any kind of public transport - metro (subway/underground), buses, trams, trolley-buses - or one card for all types of transport. Cards are valid for one month.

For short stays in Russia we would advise you to buy short-term cards for the metro (for example 7 day card for 10 passes). And for other public transport we would recommend buying tickets on the transportation itself. Tickets are sold by a conductor or a driver.

There are no multi-ride cards for route taxies. You need to pay to the driver every time you enter the vehicle. Route taxies do not have special stops. If you want to catch it you wave down the driver. If you need to get off you should tell the driver in advance that you need a stop.

3. How can one get health care in Russia?

Emergency medical treatment is free in Russia (e.g. heart attack, bones broken, appendicitis operation …), but all consultations, exams, analyses and other services are for a fee only.

--> Medical insurance

4. Do you accept cards or traveler's cheques to pay for the study program?

The cashier's office accepts VISA, MAESTRO and MASTERCARD. If you pay by card there is 3,5% bank commission. Traveler's cheques are not accepted at the cashier's office. You can exchange them into rubles at Russian banks.

5. Can I pay in US dollars or euros?

On the website the prices are given in foreign currency. But the Center accepts either cash in rubles (at the rate of the Russian Central Bank on the day of payment) or cards.

6. What is the language of instruction?

Students from different countries study in one group. Our professors teach in Russian language. This way of instruction makes the process of studying highly intensive and helps students to penetrate into the language more effectively and much faster. Nevertheless, all our instructors have at least some command of English and/or other languages.

7. Where can I get information about excursions and cultural events?

Usually the Center's staff posts information about the current repertories at the city's theaters and concert halls. Two days a week tickets to different theatres (e.g. Mariinsky Theatre, Opera Theatre, the Philharmonic and others) are sold in the hall of Smolny campus (the place where the classes take place). It is possible to join tours to Moscow, Novgorod and Saint Petersburg's suburbs. For more information ask your coordinator.