Getting Started spring 2013

International Student ServiceUniversity of Tartu

18 Ülikooli St., room 10450090 Tartu, Estonia

day – Thursday 13.00–16.00www.ut.ee/studies

Spring 2013

Getting Started at the University of Tartu

Dear International Student,

This information brochure will hopefully help you in getting started at the University of Tartu. It is aimed at providing you with practical information that might be useful to make your stay pleasant and successful.

Jaanika

EgleMerike Elen

Ülle PiretKaija

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CONTENT

Contact information ..........................................................................................................................................................5Checklist ....................................................................................................................................................................................6

STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TARTU ...............................................................................81. Faculties and academic units .............................................................................................................................82. Academic calendar 2012/2013 ...........................................................................................................................93. Use of the university’s computer network .............................................................................................. 104. Registration for courses ...................................................................................................................................... 125. Courses taught in English .................................................................................................................................. 136. Grading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 137. Examinations and pass/fail evaluations .................................................................................................... 158. Confirmations/proofs ........................................................................................................................................... 169. Students receiving a stipend from the UT .............................................................................................. 1710. Tuition fees and invoices .................................................................................................................................... 1711. Student cards ............................................................................................................................................................. 1812. University Library .................................................................................................................................................... 1813. Tutors .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1914. Student Council ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

LIVING IN ESTONIA ...................................................................................................................201. Right of residence and residence permits ..............................................................................................202. Health insurance ......................................................................................................................................................233. Health care system in Estonia ......................................................................................................................... 244. Telecommunication ..............................................................................................................................................265. Banking system ........................................................................................................................................................276. Currency exchange ................................................................................................................................................287. Public holidays ..........................................................................................................................................................28

STUDENT LIFE ............................................................................................................................301. Student festivals .......................................................................................................................................................302. Sports ..............................................................................................................................................................................303. Academic organizations and societies ...................................................................................................... 314. ESN-Erasmus Student Network ...................................................................................................................... 315. University’s psychologist ....................................................................................................................................32

LIFE IN TARTU ............................................................................................................................331. Safety – for new citizens of Tartu ..................................................................................................................332. Getting around .........................................................................................................................................................343. Cultural centres .........................................................................................................................................................354. Public access internet points (PAIP) .............................................................................................................355. Main public places with Wifi ............................................................................................................................366. Leisure time .................................................................................................................................................................36

USEFUL READING .....................................................................................................................38Culture shock ......................................................................................................................................................................38Notes ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 41

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Contact information

International Student Service (ISS, välisüliõpilastalitus) University main building, Ülikooli St. 18, 1st floor, room 104 Office hours: Monday–Thursday 13.00–16.00; www.ut.ee/studies

Ms. Ülle Tensing Senior Specialist for International Studies, Head of Service

Tel: (+372) 737 5150

e-mail: [email protected]

Ms. Elen RüütelInternational Student Coordinator

´ incoming Erasmus students ´ incoming Erasmus academic staff ´ self-paying visiting students

Tel: (+372) 737 6085


Ms. Piret MustStudent Exchange Coordinator

´ student exchange within inter-university agreements

´ ISEP coordinator

Tel: (+372) 737 6270


Ms. Kaija MurasovInternational Student Coordinator

´ degree seeking international students

Tel: (+372) 737 5152


Ms. Merike KalaInternational Student Coordinator

´ degree seeking international students ´ visiting PhD students (DoRa 5)

Tel: (+372) 737 6031


in room 117

Ms. Egle RummelTraineeship Coordinator

´ outgoing and incoming trainees ´ incoming short-term students ´ outgoing Erasmus academic staff

Tel: (+372) 737 6019


in room 102

Ms. Jaanika HaljasmäeErasmus Programme Institutional Coordinator

´ outgoing Erasmus students ´ Erasmus bilateral agreements

Tel: (+372) 737 5151


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Important numbers

Emergency calls, Ambulance 112

Police 110

City info 744 2111

Intercity Bus Station 12 550

City Bus Information 17 787 (cost 0.30€)

Taxi730 0200, 742 2222, 736 6666, 733 3666, 1918

Raatuse 22 dormitory (24 h) 56 620 215

My faculty at UT: ……………………………………………………….…

My coordinator at UT, ISS: ……………………………………………….

My tutor at UT: ………………………………………………………........

Checklist

After arrival to UT Time schedule Tick

UT network’s passwords and user-names

If you have not received the password and username for some reason, please contact ISS.

Sent by e-mail two weeks before the beginning of the semester.

Registration to courses in SIS (ÕIS) Visiting and exchange students by 24 February 2013 Degree-seeking students by 10 February 2013

Exchange students who get a stipend from the UT must open a bank account and bring their account number to ISS.

Within the first week of the semester

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Fee-paying visiting students must pick up their invoices from the dean’s office of the faculty they are registered to.

Fee-paying degree seeking students will have invoices sent to their UT e-mail addresses after they have signed a tuition contract at the dean’s office of their faculty.

Within the first week of the semester

EU-citizens: register as a citizen of Tartu in order to have the right of residence in Estonia and apply for the Estonian ID-card.

Within three months from the date of entering Estonia

Non-EU citizens: apply for a residence permit. UT invitation for the residence permit will be given at a special workshop “How to apply for residence permit in Estonia”. You don’t have to apply for the residence permit if you are in Estonia for one semester and your D-visa is valid until the end of the semester.

Time and place of the workshop will be announced at the orienta-tion course by ISS to all of those who need to be present at the workshop

Take/send your Estonian ID code (isiku-kood) to the International student Service.

As soon as you have received it

Fill out your contact information in the Study Information System. Ask help from your tutor.

As soon as possible

UT student card and/or ISIC card – see p. 18

Library card – see p. 19

When needed (starting from the beginning of the semester)

Before leaving UT

Transcript of Records is issued by the dean’s office, but not sent automatically to your home address, so make sure to ask for one at the dean’s office.

Transcript of Records and confirmations will be provided if there are no unpaid invoices towards UT, including accom-modation.

At the end of the semester

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STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TARTU

1. Faculties and academic units

General information on the university’s structure is available on http://www.ut.ee/en/contact

FACULTY OF THEOLOGYDean’s Office: Ülikooli 18, room 310.

Tel: (+372) 737 5300 Fax: 737 [email protected]

FACULTY OF LAWDean’s Office: Näituse 20, room 213-215.


FACULTY OF MEDICINEDean’s Office: Ravila 19 (1st floor, left wing).


FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHYDean’s Office: Jakobi 2, room 118.


FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYDean’s Office: Vanemuise 46, Room 208.


FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONDean’s Office: Narva 4, room A315.


FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATIONDean’s Office: Lossi 36, room 119, 130.

Tel (+372) 737 5957 Fax: 737 [email protected]

FACULTY OF EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCESDean’s Office: Jakobi 5, room 205.


FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCEDean’s Office: J.Liivi 2, room 210.

Tel: (+372) 737 5860 Fax: 737 5862Opening hours: make an appointment before you [email protected]

EURO COLLEGELossi 36, room 125.


LANGUAGE CENTREOffice: Jakobi 2, room 232, Tartu.


CENTRE FOR BALTIC SEA REGION STUDIESOffice: Lossi 36, room 112, Tartu.Coordinator: Siiri Maimets.


VILJANDI CULTURE ACADEMYPosti 1, Viljandi.


NARVA COLLEGEKerese 14, Narva.


PÄRNU COLLEGERingi 35, room 117, 118, Pärnu.


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2. Academic calendar 2012/2013

Spring semester begins 11.02.2013 and ends 30.06.2013. Deadlines for registration to courses for spring semester: 10.02.2013 for degree-seeking students and full-year short-term students, 24.02.2013 for newly arrived visiting and exchange students.

2012/2013 Academic calendar in study weeks

September October November December

week 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Mon 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24

Tue 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25

Wen 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26

Thu 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27

Fri 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28

Sat 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29

Sun 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30

January February March April

week 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34.

Mon 31 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22

Tue 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23

Wen 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24

Thu 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25

Fri 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26

Sat 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27

Sun 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28

May June July August

week 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52.

Mon 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26

Tue 30 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27

Wen 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28

Thu 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29

Fri 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30

Sat 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 31

Sun 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 1

Academic calendar at www.ut.ee/en/studies/practical/calendar

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3. Use of the university’s computer network

To use all services of the university’s computer network – to read e-mails, register to courses and see study results in the Study Information System – you need to become a user of the university’s computer network by obtaining a user account.

Username and password was sent to all newly arrived students by email before the beginning of the semester. If you have not received your username, please contact your coordinator at the ISS.

How to change a password?

In order to protect your privacy, change the password sent to you by email before you start using the computer network services and information systems.

The password can be changed on the website https://passwd.ut.ee.

A password must be at least 8 characters long, it must include both letters and numbers and at least one capital letter, but do not use special symbols (for example: ?, = or *) or let-ters with diacritical marks (for example: ä, õ, ö or ü).

Using your university e-mail account

The username given to you will also be the e-mail address in the university domain @ut.ee. For example, if your username is fred123 then your e-mail address is accordingly [email protected].

Your e-mail mailbox is accessible at https://mailhost.ut.ee.

Helpdesk

In case of problems with a computer, UT account or password, please address your ques-tions to IT helpdesk:

E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 737 5500

FAQ page: http://www.ut.ee/en/university/it-info/faq. Location: Ülikooli 18a, 2nd floor (next to the main building).

Further information on various IT services is available at www.ut.ee/en/university/it-info.

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Where can I use computers? Location Phone

number Opening times Access to

UT Library 737 5702Opening hours of the library (www.utlib.ee)

All visitors with the library card

Tähe 4-145 737 5517 8.00–20.00Preference to the Physics-Chemistry faculty members, all UT members

Tähe 4-178 737 5578 During coursesPreference to the Physics-Chemistry faculty members, all UT members

Lossi 36-116 Mon-Fri 9.30–19.00 Faculty of Social Sciences

Lossi 36-118 737 5191Institute of Journalism and Communication

Chemicum (Ravila 14a)-10, 14

9.00-22.00 Institute of Chemistry

Chemicum (Ravila 14a)-13

9.00-20.00Department of Geology, Chair of Botany

J.Liivi 2-003, 004, 203, 205

737 5873 737 5462

7.30–21.00Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

J.Liivi 2-123only during the courses

Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Vanemuise 46-106

8.00–22.00Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences

Narva 4-B301, B302, B304

737 6316 737 6310

8.00–19.00; B304 also opened on Sat and Sun, 8.00-19.00

All UT students (ask for local user name)

Lai 34-72, 73 737 5669 9.00–19.00 Arts department

Puusepa 8 Medinfokeskus

731 8188 8.30–16.30 Faculty of Medicine

Nooruse 9-304, 305

737 4988Mon-Thu 8.00–20.00, Fri 8.00–18.30

Preference to the Faculty of Medicine members, all UT members

Munga 4, 2nd floor

737 6286 8.00–17.00Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences

Salme 1a-36, 50 737 6450 8.00–20.00 Institute of Education

For public access internet points and WiFi areas, see p. 41.

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4. Registration for courses

Newly arrived short-term students must register for courses chosen within two weeks of the start of the semester. The courses registered make up the student’s study plan for the current semester.

The deadline to register for or cancel courses is 24 February 2013 (new short-term students) or 10 February 2013 (degree seeking students).

All students must register for courses in the Study Information System (SIS or ÕIS in Esto-nian). If you fail to register for some reason, please contact the dean’s office of the faculty teaching the course (see p. 15).

To register to courses in SIS (http://www.ut.ee/en/studies/study-regulations/system) you must have a username and password which was sent to all newly arrived students by email before the beginning of the current semester.

If you have not received your username, please contact your coordinator at the ISS. You can always ask your tutor for help with registration.

Some basic instructions to make registration for courses easier:

´ Use your username and password to log into the Study Information System. ´ In order to register for courses select “Registration for courses and exams”. ´ Choose the correct academic year and semester and click on “add”. ´ The same layout will appear as given below.

´ When the results appear, tick the course you wish to register for and click on “register for courses selected”.

´ If you wish to register for another course, repeat the procedure. ´ In case you do not get any results or get too many, make sure that you have followed

the instructions correctly and that there are no mistakes either in the numerical course code, a word in course title or any other fields.

´ It is just as easy as that!

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Important information for exchange and visiting students

The exams can be held at the end of May, but most of them are held throughout June, so keep that in mind. Make sure to check exam dates before booking your flights to leave Estonia.

International exchange and visiting students cannot register to the English-taught courses of Open University, thus if there is an abbreviation “OU” in the Study Information System, the course is not open for registration for international students.

At the end of the semester you will receive an official document from the dean’s office, with credits and grades, to be taken to your university – Transcript of Academic Records. The transcripts are issued by the dean’s office a student is registered to.

Dean’s office will send you the transcript by post to the address which is in the Study Information System.The transcripts will not be sent by post unless the student asks for that.

5. Courses taught in English

List of courses taught in English is available at: http://www.ut.ee/en/courses-taught-english

The given list might change, please remember that UT has the right to cancel courses due to unforeseen circumstances and in case there are less students attending the course than anticipated. The minimum number of attendants is assigned for each course and fixed in SIS. While choosing courses, students need to pay attention to the course level indicated in the last column.

In case of some faculties (such as Mathematics and Computer Science, etc.), we recom-mend that incoming students check the list of prerequisite courses, for that matter use our Study Information System. To get more information on a course, use its numerical code or title for searching in the system which for general information is accessible without usernames.

6. Grading Assessment of academic results of students in courses or parts of courses is conducted us-ing six-point scale of letters (with accompanying verbal counterparts and short definitions).

UT is using both differentiated and non-differentiated assessment.

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In the case of differentiated assessment, the students’ achievement level of learning out-comes shall be differentiated in accordance with the following scale:

grade ‘A’ or “excellent” – an outstanding and particularly broad-based level of achieve-ment of the learning outcomes characterised by exceptional, free and creative use of the knowledge and skills;

grade ‘B’ or “very good” – a very high level of achievement of the learning outcomes characterised by proper and creative use of the knowledge and skills. More specific and detailed elements of knowledge and skills may reveal certain errors that are neither sub-stantive nor serious;

grade ‘C or “good” – a high level of achievement of the learning outcomes characterised by proper use of the knowledge and skills. More specific and detailed elements of knowl-edge and skills may manifest certain uncertainty and imprecision;

grade ‘D’ or “satisfactory” – a sufficient level of achievement of the learning outcomes characterised by the ability to use the knowledge and skills in typical situations; non-typi-cal situations reveal gaps and uncertainty;

grade ‘E’ or “sufficient” – a minimally acceptable level of achievement of the learning outcomes characterised by a limited ability to use the knowledge and skills in typical situa-tions; non-typical situations reveal considerable gaps and uncertainty;

grade ‘F’ or “insufficient” – the knowledge and skills acquired by the student are below the minimum required level.

In the case of non-differentiated assessment, the students are considered to have passed the course if all the requirements set forth in the syllabus have been fulfilled. Students may be given the following grades:

grade “pass” – given where the student shows that he/she has acquired the knowledge, skills and competences required in the subject syllabus; grade “fail” grade “fail” – given where the student fails to show that he/she has acquired the knowledge, skills and competences required in the subject syllabus.

Credits

The system of credits in use (ECTS) is a cumulative calculation of credit points based on the workload of a student. It is a student-centred credit system to measure the workload required to achieve the objectives and learning outcomes of a curriculum. One credit point corresponds to 26 hours of studies (lectures, seminars, practice, homework or independent work, assessment of learning outcomes) performed by a student. ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) are allocated to course units and are awarded to students who successfully complete the course by satisfying the assessment requirements.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is taken seriously at the University of Tartu. If a student copies someone else’s ideas as one’s own and there is no reference to the author, it is defined as a plagiarism. If you are not sure whether there is plagiarism or not, make sure to ask more information

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from your lecturer. Where a student has committed academic fraud, the Dean shall have the power and is required to reprimand the student or make a proposal to the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs for the student to be deleted from the matriculation register (see full version of Study Regulations at http://www.ut.ee/en/university/documents > Study Regulations). In case of short term students, their home universities will be notified if plagiarism has been identified.

7. Examinations and pass/fail evaluations

First of all, students must register to a course and by registration, the student assumes an obligation to take the examination or pass/fail evaluation in the course during the semes-ter it is taught.

The student is allowed to take the examination if he/she has:

´ registered for the course; ´ fulfilled all the requirements necessary to take the examination.

The examiner (the teaching staff member responsible or the person nominated by him/her) bears the responsibility for checking the fulfilment of the requirements established in the syllabus for allowing the student to take the examination. The syllabi are available in the Study Information System.

Times of examinations

The student must choose between two regular examination times, it is an exception if more times are given. Examination times are fixed at the same time with timetables. In or-der to see timetables in the Study Information System, you can access the system without UT access account.

Registration to examinations

In general, students are not required to register to the examination separately.

All students who have registered to the course and have chosen one of the examina-tion times are automatically considered for taking the examination.

With very large students’ groups, the teaching staff member responsible for the course may ask for separate registration. In this case, students need to register themselves in the Study Information System at the latest three days before the exam is held. If there are more than 60 registered students, registration must be done at the latest three days before the first examination takes place.

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If the student wishes to take a resit, registration is obligatory. The registration for the resit ends one day before the resit takes place.

Examination results

The examination graded in the range from A to E is regarded as a pass. The examination graded with an F is regarded as a failure. Grades will be entered into the Study Information System within:

´ four working days after the examination if the examination was taken by 50 persons; ´ within seven working days if the examination was taken by 51–80 persons and ´ within 11 working days if the examination was taken by more than 80 persons.

Despite the number of the persons having taken the examination, the grades must be entered at the latest two working days before the resit in the respective course, but not later than by the end of the semester.

If you cannot take examination

If the student does not take the examination, the note “not present” is recorded in the examination minutes. In calculating an average grade, “not present” equals to zero and one examination option is considered used. “Not present” note is annulled if the student submits a document, within 5 working days from the day the exam took place, where reason(s) of absence are given. During one semester, the student can take the examina-tion twice in one course (one regular exam and one resit). If both examinations are graded negatively (failed), the student must register to the course and pass it once again in one of the following semesters. A resit is not obligatory if the student decides to pass the course for a second time. More detailed info and the rules applying to the students of Medicine can be found in the Study Regulations.

8. Confirmations/proofs

If you need confirmation that you have started studies at the university, either for social au-thorities or for a home university, contact the International Student Service (exchange and visiting students) or the dean’s office of your faculty (degree seeking students). Exchange students who get a stipend from the University of Tartu and need a proof can get neces-sary documents from the International Student Service.

Please note that it takes at least one day to get a confirmation or any other document.

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9. Students receiving a stipend from the UT

Exchange students who have been informed beforehand that they receive a stipend from the University of Tartu must open a bank account in a local bank during the first week of the semester and inform ISS of their account number. Stipends are transferred to the student’s bank account.

Exchange students who have not opened a bank account within the first week of February can get their first stipend after 12 February in cash from the Financial Office.

Financial Office

Jakobi St. 4 (behind the main building of the university), 2nd floor, counter desk with the sign “KASSA”

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 13.00–16.00.

The stipend is paid only for the period when a student lives and studies in Tartu. No sti-pend for February will be paid if the student arrives later than 21 February. No stipend for June is paid if the student leaves in May.

10. Tuition fees and invoices

NB! Fee-paying students only (exchange students do not pay the tuition fee)

´ Visiting students (and continuing education learners) will get their tuition invoice from their dean’s office or teaching centre. Payment deadlines are given in a contract for provision of study service that must be signed at the beginning of the semester.

´ Degree-seeking students, will have the tuition invoice directly sent to their UT e-mail address. The invoice will be prepared once a contract for provision of study ser-vice has been signed by the student. All degree-seeking students who pay for tuition need to sign the named contract, and in order to do that, please contact your dean’s office during your first week in Tartu.

There are two options to pay the tuition fee:

1. By wire transfer to the following account:

The University of Tartu account No. 10102000234007 code 605201 in SEB Pank BIC: EEUHEE2X IBAN: EE281010102000234007 SEB Pank Tartu Office: Ülikooli St. 2, 50099 Tartu, Estonia.

2. In cash at the university’s cash-desk after arriving (Jakobi St. 4, 2nd floor), from Monday to Friday during opening hours (13.00–16.00).

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11. Student cards

Estonian Student Identification Cards are issued by the dean’s offices of the facul-ties the students are registered to starting from the beginning of the semester. Check your admission letter to identify the faculty. Please take one photo in a standard size with you. The card is generally accepted form of student identification in Estonia: it entitles the holder to a discount on transportation.

You can apply for the ISIC card online on https://www.minukool.ee/en/content-with-menu or at the SEB bank (to get ISIC card with debit card functions: http://www.seb.ee/en/payment-cards/debit-cards/isic-and-itic-cards).

NB! Student Identification Cards are not the same as Student Library or Student Sports Centre cards, and will not admit you to the library (see below) or athletic facilities (see p. 35).

12. University Library

Address: Struve St. 1, Tartu 50091 Tel: 7375 702; Fax: 737 5701

E-mail: [email protected] www.utlib.ee/en/

The University Library is the largest and oldest continuously working library in Estonia. Throughout its history, the Library has collected scientific and academic literature in all fields of taught at the university. Today, the library holds more than three million volumes, manuscripts, rare books, art and photographs.

In its role as a research centre, the library investigates its own history as well as problems of contemporary library science. It publishes bibliographies, art catalogues, works on library treasures and the series Publicationes Bibliothecae Universitas Litterarum Tartuensis. Scientific conferences and exhibitions are frequently organised at the library. Reading and lecture rooms, computer classes, individual booths, a conference hall with a seating capacity of 200, a book museum and a cafeteria are at the users’ disposal. There is also possible to print and make photocopies of your materials.

To apply for the library card, go to the library information desk (open Mon–Fri: 9–22 Sat 11-20 and Sun: 11–17). Do not forget to take a student card or an identifica-

tion card and 1.60 EUR with you.

There is a computer room with internet connection on the second floor. There are lots of newspapers and magazines in the reading area. If you borrow any item from the library,

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make sure to return it on time or you have to pay for delay. You can renew your borrowed textbooks via telephone, using library system or e-mail ([email protected]) or at the library.

More detailed information on www.utlib.ee/en/

13. Tutors There has been a successfully functioning tutoring system at the university already for years. Tutors are senior students who help newly arrived students, both international and Estonians, to adapt into academic environment at the University of Tartu.

Tutors are ready to provide additional guidance and information on several matters, rang-ing from a study system and student life to living conditions in Tartu. Tutors give a town tour to introduce institutions and locations (computer classes, lunch rooms, etc.) which are of everyday importance for every student. Moreover, international students are instructed on how to manage their studies at the university (registration to courses, etc.).

All newly arrived international students are divided into small groups and each group gets a tutor. You will meet your tutor at the orientation course. If you have problems with get-ting in contact with your tutor, please contact your coordinator at ISS.

14. Student Council

Address: Ülikooli St.18b, 51014 Tartu (next to UT main building)

Tel: 737 5400 E-mail: [email protected] Hours: Mon–Fri, 9.00–16.30

The Student Council is the largest student organization in Estonia; its mission is to repre-sent the interests of all UT students within the university administration, the Estonian gov-ernment and society. First established in 1923, forced to shut down by the Soviet occupa-tion, and re-established in 1990, the Student Council is an assembly that is democratically elected by the student body.

The Student Council offers consulting, information and solutions for problems that stu-dents come up against. It also organizes different cultural events such as Night Library dur-ing exam sessions, University Anniversary Ball, various concerts and parties. It is generally a voice on behalf of the students and their interests in Estonia.

Printing and photocopying service available: A4 (black and white) – 0.04 EUR; A4 (colour) – 0.50 EUR A3 (black and white) – 0.08 EUR; A3 (colour) – 1.00 EUR Scanning costs 0.04 EUR per page. Faxing is free of charge.

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LIVING IN ESTONIA

1. Right of residence and residence permits

Right of residence for EU citizens

Citizens of the member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter “EU citizens”) have the right to stay in Estonia on the basis of a valid travel document or identity card for the period of up to three months. As international students stay longer, then the following steps are compulsory:

1) To obtain the right of temporary residence, EU citizen must register his/her resi-dence at the Population Register Office within three months from the date of entering Estonia. If you live in Tartu, you can register as a citizen of Tartu at the follow-ing Population Register Office.

Population Register Office in Tartu, Küüni St. 5

Tel. 736 1140 Opening hours: Mon 9–12, 15–18; Tue 9–16; Wed–Fri 9–12, 14–16.

Required documents for the registration:

´ identity document of the applicant ´ tenancy contract

Once you have registered yourself as a citizen of Tartu, you receive the Estonian ID code (isikukood). Please remember to send/take this number to your Coordi-nator at the ISS.

2) Within the period of one month from the acquisition of the right of temporary resi-dence, you must personally contact the Migration Bureau to apply for an identity card which certifies your right of temporary residence.

Migration Bureau in Tartu (Kodakondsus- ja Migratsioonibüroo Tartu teenindus):

Riia St. 132 Tel. 612 3000

e-mail: [email protected] Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8.00–18.00;

last Friday of each month the office is closed.

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Officers in the Migration Bureau mostly speak Estonian, some Russian and only few of them English. It is recommended to take your tutor or someone who speaks Estonian with you.

Required documents for the identity card:

´ application form (you do not have to complete the application form before you come to the customer service of the Migration Bureau)

´ identity document of the applicant; ´ coloured photograph sized 40x50 mm; (it is possible to take a photo, free of charge,

at Tartu Migration Bureau); ´ document certifying the payment of the state fee, which can be paid either in the

service bureaus or by bank transfers (more information: http://www.politsei.ee/en/teenused/riigiloivud/).

EU citizens must pay the state fee of 24.28 EUR. After registration the right of permanent residence is granted for a period of five years.

More information: www.politsei.ee/en/teenused/right-of-residence/

Residence permits for non-EU citizens

The following information is for the students who are going to apply for a residence permit in Estonia.

It is important to remember that students must start applying within the two first weeks of a semester. If you leave it to later, you might not receive the permit within 90 days and must leave Estonia immediately!!!

An official invitation (Kinnitus välismaalase õppima asumise kohta) for a residence permit will be issued by the International Student Service. Those who need to apply for the residence permit in Estonia must attend the workshop called “How to apply for a residence permit in Estonia” and they will receive the invitation in that workshop. NB! The letter of admission is not valid as an invitation!

Required documents for a temporary residence permit for study:

´ official invitation for the residence permit (will be given at the beginning of the semes-ter at the workshop on residence permits);

´ all application forms available on www.politsei.ee/en/teenused/residence-permit; ´ applicant’s written motivation why he/she wishes to study in Estonia (main reasons for

coming to Estonia; there is no special format for the motivation letter); ´ document which certifies the legal income of the applicant or his/her family members

who ensure his/her subsistence, during the six months preceding the submission of the application, including the amount, regularity and sources of the income (including

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a proof of any stipend/grant the student gets for studies at UT, bank statement, etc.); ´ health insurance contract guaranteeing that any costs related to medical treatment as

a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the residence permit applied; ´ letter of guarantee confirming that in case the existing insurance is not valid in Estonia,

the student is obliged to purchase a valid health insurance contract from Estonia; ´ document certifying the payment of the state fee (more information:

http://www.politsei.ee/en/teenused/riigiloivud/); ´ identity document of the applicant; ´ coloured photograph sized 40x50 mm (it is possible to take a photo free of charge at

Tartu Migration Bureau).

Upon application for the residence permit for studying, non-EU citizens must pay the state fee of 63,91 EUR when applying in Estonia. A residence card issued for studies in Estonia is not valid as a travel document, but you need to have it along while travelling outside Estonia.

After receiving residence permit, all students must register their residence at the Population Register Office within one month. If you live in Tartu, you can register as a citizen of Tartu at Population Register Office in Tartu, Küüni St. 5, phone 736 1140 (for open-ing hours, see page 22).

Once you have received your Estonian residence permit card, send your Estonian ID code (isikukood) to your Coordinator at the ISS.

Extending the residence permit

The requirements mentioned above apply also to the extension of the residence permit. If you need to extend your residence permit you have to apply at least 2 months before the expiry of an existing residence permit.

Long-stay (D) visa for non-EU students staying for one semester

D-visa can be applied for a number of reasons such as study, work or family relations and it may be issued for single or multiple entries into Estonia with a period of stay up to six months.

D-visa holders do not need to register themselves in the Population Register Office in Tartu or apply for the residence permit.

D-visa enables to travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a six-month period under the same conditions as the holder of a residence permit.

More information about D-visa can be found: http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/9232.

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If you have any problems concerning your rights as a D-visa holder, please contact Esto-nian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Police and Border Guard Board immediately.

Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (+372) 637 7000

Police and Border Guard Board: E-mail: [email protected]

Client information: 612 3000 (Mon-Fri 8 am – 6 pm)

2. Health insurance

International students studying in Estonia are not covered by the Estonian Health Insur-ance Fund (Haigekassa), unless they are employed in Estonia or have the right of perma-nent residence or a long-term residence permit. Thus you need to ensure that you have some other health insurance for your period of study in Estonia.

a. EU citizens

If you are an EU citizen and have valid health insurance in your home country during your studies in Estonia, you can apply for the EU health insurance card (EHIC) or substitute certificate of an EU health insurance card (form E128). You should apply for that from the social service authorities in your home country before arriving in Estonia.

NB! EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. More information about what is covered with EHIC in Estonia can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/social/home.jsp?langId=en > Healthcare Abroad > Medical Treatment Abroad > Estonia.

To be eligible for an EHIC, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

NB! EU and EEA students studying in Estonia for a degree are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, unless they are employed in Estonia or have the right of perma-nent residence, so they can obtain the EHIC only if they are covered by the social security system of their home country.

If you cannot get the EHIC for the reasons described above, please check if any of the private health insurances listed on the next page meets your expectations/needs. You should not be without any health insurance!

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b. Non-EU citizens

There is a strict policy in Estonia what an obtained health insurance must cover when applying for the residence permit. See more information on www.ut.ee/en/studies/practical/before/insurance.

The Estonian Migration Board has confirmed that the following insurance companies are accepted:

´ AON Student Insurance: www.aonstudentinsurance.com ´ ERGO Insurance: www.ergo.ee ´ If Insurance: www.if.ee ´ SwissCare International Student Health Insurance: www.swisscare-intl.com ´ Crystal Studies Insurance: www.kindlustusest.ee/pages/show/student_insurance ´ Insurance offered by ISEP program (for ISEP students). If you have ISEP insurance you

need to ask from IEES ([email protected]) the ‘Confirmation of Coverage’.

As only the abovementioned insurances are approved by the Estonian Migration Board, the International Student Service recommends students to choose one of these insurance companies.

Students who are still determined to purchase some other worldwide health insurance must make sure that the following is included:

´ it must clearly state that the policy is valid in Estonia; ´ it is of utmost importance that the health insurance policy states very explicitly that

any costs related to student’s medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for will be met;

´ there can be no reference to the fact that insurance is guaranteed in case of unavoid-able medical treatment. Travel insurance is not acceptable!

3. Health care system in Estonia

Family practitioners

All insured people have a family practitioner, who is the first contact point in case of illness. The family practitioner treats minor illnesses, can make home visits and gives referrals to visit a medical specialist. No referral is needed to visit a psychiatrist, gynaecologist, dermatovenerologist, ophthalmologist, dentist, pulmonologist (for tuberculosis treatment), infection specialist (for HIV/AIDS treatment), surgeon or orthopaedist (for traumatology).

For more information on family practitioners, see http://www.haigekassa.ee/eng/service/physicians. The list of family practitioners in Tartu is available on www.tartu.ee. As the information is in Estonian, ask your tutor’s help when choosing and signing up with a family practitioner. In case the doctor does not speak English, you could also try asking

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your tutor to come with you to the appointment. Do not forget to take your EHIC or private health insurance documents with you.

Family practitioners’ centres in Tartu:

´ University Family Physicians’ CentreAddress: Puusepa 1A, Tel. 731 9268

´ Family Physicians of the City centre of TartuAddress: Gildi 8, Tel. 744 1372

´ Medicum Family PhysiciansAddress: Turu 2, Tel. 731 2260

If you need to visit a family practitioner, call beforehand and make an appointment. Visit to a family practitioner is free of charge, but a family practitioner can charge a visit fee of up to 5 EUR when making a home visit.

There is also 24-hour medical telephone counselling, call 1220. The service is guaranteed in Estonian and Russian.

Emergency medical service and accident ward

Emergency medical care unit: L. Puusepa 8, Section G1. Tel 731 8195, 731 8202

The accident ward and the emergency medical service unit are open 24/7 and you may seek help from them especially at weekends and at night time when family practitioners are off duty. In Tartu, both the emergency medical care unit and the accident ward are located in Puusepa St. 8.

In the case of emergency treatment, you may always go to the emergency reception or call an ambulance.

One can reach an ambulance on 112 from all over Estonia.

Transportation by ambulance in the case of emergency is free of charge. Visit fee of up to 5 EUR can be charged if you go to the emergency reception.

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Specialised medical care

All visits to medical specialists are organized via the family practitioner except for special-ists listed on p. 3. International students are advised to consult the family practitioner when choosing a particular medical specialist. Visit fee for a medical specialist is up to 5 EUR. However, some appointment times are outside the insurance scheme and then the visit fee may be much higher. It is advisable to ask about the visit fee when making the appoint-ment.

Medical specialist may find that you need hospitalisation. If you are insured, in-patient fee of up to 2.50 EUR per day is charged for up to 10 days per hospitalisation.

In most cases, you should only pay the visit fee and the doctor will send invoices for the rest of the costs directly to your insurance provider. If the doctor you visit does not have a contract with the insurance provider for the compensation of cost, you must pay the full cost of the health service yourself. In that case, keep all the cost documents and referrals and apply for compensation from your insurance provider. If you have any problems using your (private) health insurance in Estonia, you can ask for information and advice from your insurance provider or the Estonian Health Insurance Fund by calling their information line 16363.

Dentists

For adults, dental care is not free of charge. Usual visit may cost from 10 EUR upwards depending on the problem. There are many dental care providers in Tartu, the most central one is the Stomatology Clinic of Tartu University (Town Hall Square 6, 2nd floor, tel. 731 9100).

You can find information on dental care providers on www.tartu.ee (it is in Estonian, so please ask further assistance from your tutor).

Pharmacies

The most central pharmacy is Tartu Raeapteek in the town hall building (at Town Hall Square), open 24 hours.

4. Telecommunication

Calling in Estonia: you do not need to use the Estonian country code (372), but only a 7 digit number as they are in Estonia.

International long distance calls: dial 00 + country code + area code and local number.

Calling to Estonia from abroad: dial whatever you need to get an international line in your home country, then 00372 (Estonia’s country code), and then the local seven-digit number.

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There are several mobile communication operators in Estonia. They offer many different price packages – you have to choose which one is best for you. The easiest way is to use a prepaid SIM card (the initial credit may vary in different companies), as then you do not need any contract. All international students get a prepaid SIM card at the orientation course, but you can also buy them at shops and kiosks.

Mobile communication operators at Tartu Kaubamaja: Elisa, EMT and TELE2.

If you have decided to make a contract with a local company, be aware that calls are billed on a monthly cycle. For example, your phone bill for January is delivered in mid-February. Estonian telephone bills are not itemized, but it is possible to ask for a printout of the calls made (most of the times for an additional fee).

5. Banking system

There are several banks between which you can choose to open your bank account or use any other bank-related services, including Internet banking:

Swedbank: www.swedbank.ee SEB Pank: www.seb.ee

Sampo Pank: www.sampopank.ee Nordea: www.nordea.ee

Current account. You can open current accounts in euros or in foreign currency. Opening a personal current account is free of charge. Most times you can open an account without any initial deposit.

To open a bank account, go to any branch of a bank. In most cases, you need:

a) a valid ID with photo (passport in most cases);

b) a document that proves your student status at the University of Tartu (student card or confirmation of studies).

Debit cards. Upon opening your account, you also receive a debit card free of charge. However, there might be a small monthly fee. In Estonia and abroad, the debit card enables you to pay for goods and services and to withdraw cash from ATMs. There are different op-tions available especially for students, but the most widespread are NPNK Euro<26 Student card (Swedbank) and ISIC card (SEB). These cards enable many special offers and prove your student status at ISIC or NPNK partners.

Money transfers from abroad. The quickest option is an international payment order. For this the following information about the recipient is required: recipient’s name and address; recipient’s account number and recipient’s bank data (address and SWIFT or IBAN code). In the European Union, IBAN codes are used for processing international payments efficiently and quickly.

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Money transfers and online banking in Estonia. Money transfers using Internet bank-ing are the simplest and cheapest way to make a payment. Most banks in Estonia provide online banking also in English.

6. Currency exchange

Estonian official currency is euro (EUR) that has been in use since 1 January 2011.

Different options for currency exchange in Tartu:

Bank Address Open

Tavid Rüütli 2 Mon–Fri 9–19 Sat, Sun 10–17

Silver Raatuse 41-4 Mon–Fri 9–19 Sat 9–17 Sun 10–16

Swedbank:

Dorpat Turu tn. 1 Mon–Fri 9–18

Annelinn (Eeden) Kalda tee 1c Mon–Fri 10–19 Sat 10–16

Lõunakeskus Ringtee 75 Mon–Fri 10–20, Sat 10-18, Sun 10-16

SEB Pank:

Ülikooli Ülikooli 2 Mon–Fri 9–18

Eeden Kalda tee 1c Mon–Fri 10–19, Sat 10–16

Lõunakeskus Ringtee 2 Mon-Fri 10-19, Sat 10-16

7. Public holidays

Lot of places have limited opening hours on a previous day and are closed on the public holiday.

Date English Name Estonian Name Remarks

January 1 New Year's Day uus aasta

February 24Independence Day

iseseisvuspäev

National holiday - celebrates the declaration of independence in 1918.

Moveable Friday Good Friday Suur reede In 2013, 29 March.

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Moveable Sunday

Easter Sundayülestõusmis-pühade 1. püha

Commonly known as lihavõtted. In 2013, 31 March.

May 1 May Day kevadpüha

MoveableWhitsunday (Pentecost)

nelipühade 1. püha In 2013, 19 May.

June 23 Victory Day võidupüha

Celebrates the victory in the Battle of Võnnu during the Estonian War of Independence.

June 24St. John's Day or Midsummer Day

jaanipäev Jaaniõhtu is celebrated in the night before Midsummer Day.

August 20Day of Restoration of Independence

taasiseseisvumis-päevCelebrates Estonia's restoration of independence in 1991.

December 24 Christmas Eve jõululaupäev

December 25 Christmas Day esimene jõulupüha

December 26 Boxing Day teine jõulupüha

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STUDENT LIFE

1. Student festivals

The tradition of the festival called Student Days began at the beginning of 1960’s. Today, Student Days are arranged seasonally. See http://www.studentdays.ee/en.

Spring Days are held at the end of April, early May. During one week about 80 events are organised. The most popular events are boat race on the river Emajõgi, the race of self-made vehicles and the Night Song Festival. Numerous parties outside or in pubs and clubs take place.

Autumn Days are similar to the Spring Days but they are held in October and the empha-sis is on indoor activities. Competition for the best Student Film and the best Student Band are held.

Winter Days are organised in February in Pärnu, Western Estonia. Free buses take students from Tallinn and Tartu to a weekend there. Highlights of the Winter Days are the Pub Bus and the Morning Rehab, but also competitions and parties similar to other Student Days are organized. See http://talvepaevad.com/.

In addition to Student Days, there are Students Summer Games held in July in Kääriku, a sports centre 50 km from Tartu. Students can participate in various competitions ranging from orienteering or triathlon to egg tossing and Frisbee playing.

2. Sports

The activities are carried out by means of various amateur and professional groups under the instruction of the Academic Sports Club of the University of Tartu. The courses take place mainly in the designated sports buildings of the University of Tartu:

The main sports hall: Ujula St. 4; Stadium and gym: Staadioni St. 21 (next to the sports hall); Toomeoru outside tennis-courts: in Toomemägi, Baeri St. 6; Gyms for wrestling, gymnastics and more general purposes: Lai St. 37. Rowing is located in Emajõe rowing base, Ranna tee 1.

To choose an activity, get to know schedules and fees, please contact the Sports Club (Ujula St. 4) right at the beginning of the semester.

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University Sports Club: Ujula St. 4, 51008 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 737 6280 www.tysk.ee

Fitness club: Ujula St. 4, 51008 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 56 478 117 www.tysk.ee/fitness/

In addition to the facilities of the university, you can also choose from various sports clubs in town. Most of these clubs offer discounts for students, but are still more expensive than the university facilities.

Tartu has a water centre Aura (Turu St. 10) with a big swimming pool, water park and fitness club. The prices range from 3-10 EUR. For more information, check www.aurakeskus.ee.

Information about sports activities in Tartu: www.visittartu.com

3. Academic organizations and societies There are several fraternities, sororities and other student organizations in Tartu (includ-ing Fraternitas Fennica – the organization of Finnish students), as well as male and female choirs. Other organizations include: AIESEC (Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales), ARCHE (Association of Archaeology Students), ISA (International Student Association), Circle of International Relations (RSR), EGEA (European Geography Association for Students and young Geographers), AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe), Association of Estonian Medical Students, Baltic-German Cultural Society, Estonian Academic Oriental Society, Estonian Academic Legal Society, etc.

Additional information at www.ut.ee/en/studies/practical/student-life

4. ESN-Erasmus Student Network Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is one of the biggest interdisciplinary student associations in Europe, founded in 1990 for supporting and developing student exchange. There are nearly 300 higher education institutions in the network and it is constantly developing and expanding. ESN is operating on three levels: local, national and international.

ESN Tartu is an organization that aims to support international students of the universities in Tartu. It works in close contacts with the Student Council and with the International Student Service. ESN Tartu provides all kind of practical information to exchange students via mailing list ([email protected]), organizes leisure activities, such as sports events, trips and parties, that all bring international students closer to local life.

For more information, please check www.esn.ee or email [email protected].

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5. University’s psychologist

There is a psychologist providing support service for students with different psychological or personal problems.

Address: Ülikooli St.18 (the main building), room 124 Tel: 737 6211

E-mail: [email protected] Counselling in English: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Counselling in Russian: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays Register in advance: [email protected]

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LIFE IN TARTU

1. Safety – for new citizens of Tartu

The following text is not here to scare you off, it is for you to be informed. Tartu is a safe town, but we want you to be aware what can be done to keep yourself away from serious troubles.

You have come to study and live in Tartu, which is the second largest city in Estonia with about 100,000 inhabitants. There are several recommendations Tartu Police would like to make as the studies carried out indicate that often a victims’ inappropriate behaviour has facilitated a crime.

´ Do not drink alcohol with people you do not know and avoid intimate contacts with strangers.

´ Do not walk late in parks and other lonely places. If this is inevitable, choose more crowded and well-lit routes.

´ Wearing a pedestrian reflector during the darker months is compulsory! ´ If you do not feel secure, you might provide yourself with defence devices. Article 28

in the Penal Code stipulates that an act that has been committed to resist an unlaw-ful assault is justified if the defence is commensurate with the character of the assault. Article 19 in the Act of Weapons permits individuals who are at least 16 year old to purchase weapons and defence device for civilian use without restrictions, such as portable alarm signals and tear or pepper-gas spray, whose registration is not compul-sory. Nerve gases and electric shock devices are prohibited in Estonia.

´ Keep your handbags or backpacks with you. Is not advisable to carry your wallet in the outside pockets of your coat or trousers or lying on top in your handbag or backpack. Personal documents should be kept separately from your money. On no occasion should you attach the PIN-code to your banking card. You can write the PIN-code in an encoded form somewhere else.

´ Provide your bicycle with a good U-lock. The bicycle is in danger in lonely places! ´ Park your car in a guarded parking lot and install an alarm signal in the car. When you

choose a radio for your car, prefer models which you can take with you when you leave the car. If you leave valuable things – sport bags, laptops or other electronic devices – in the car, this can become the reason for breaking into your car.

If you get into serious trouble, immediately inform the police by calling 110 or the emergency number 112.

´ Keep the scene of a crime untouched and identify possible witnesses.

If you do not speak Estonian, find somebody who can translate for you in an emergency case.

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2. Getting around

Public bus transportation: inner-city

Buses and minibuses operate regularly from 6.00 to 24.00. Tickets for buses can be pur-chased from newsstands or from a bus driver. Make sure you either have a valid ticket before getting on public transport, or buy one immediately upon entering from the driver. (If you need to buy a ticket, enter from the front door; tickets are only sold at stops, not while driving. Note that tickets bought from the driver are more expensive than from a newsstand). Punch your ticket right after getting on at one of the machines located throughout the bus. Passengers travelling with false tickets, without tickets or without proof of discount eligibility will be fined.

Cost

1 ticket from newsstands 0.83 EUR 1 ticket from newsstand for students 0.51 EUR (only valid with a student card) 1 ticket from bus 1 EUR 1 h ticket 1 EUR 1 day ticket 2.50 EUR 10 day ticket 7.99 EUR 10 day ticket for students 4.15 EUR (only valid with a student card) 30 day ticket 17.90 EUR 30 day ticket for students 8.63 EUR (only valid with a student card)

It is cheaper to buy tickets with Estonian ID card. See more information: www.pilet.ee.

Bus info

Bus info from the web page: http://tartu.peatus.ee/#city

This is an online system which gives to its user information about bus traffic in Tartu. This web page helps you to use Tartu public transportation network in the most efficient way. In addition, you can check timetables for stations and bus-lines. It covers ordinary and ex-press bus lines. User can choose between two different services: Route search and Bus-line timetables.

To get outside of Tartu, check the timetables and prices on website: for bus: www.tpilet.ee

for train: www.edel.ee/home

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Cycling

Tartu is small enough to get around by bike. It is also possible to rent a bike, see more infor-mation on www.hot.ee/rentbike.

You can buy a second-hand bike (prices start from 65 EUR):

Rattaring: Aardla 112, tel 5045 961, Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat 10-15 Jalgratas: Laulupeo pst 119, tel 7421 731, Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat 10-15

3. Cultural centres

The cultural centres provide information and organize a wide range of events. In addi-tion, they operate as cultural embassies or networks for the nations whose culture they represent.

Finnish Institute Vanemuise St.19, tel: 7427 319, www.finst.ee

The Finnish Institute operates a small Finnish language library with current daily newspa-pers from Finland, information about Finland and cultural events. It is open from Mon-Fri 10-16 and Wed 10-18. It is possible to borrow Finnish magazines and textbooks.

Academic French Institute Ülikooli 17-201, tel: 5069 641, www.prantsuseteaduslikinstituut.ee

Tartu Institute of German Culture Kastani 1, tel: 7422 639, www.dki.ee

4. Public access internet points (PAIP)

PAIP Address Phone Open

O. Luts’ Tartu City Central Library

Kompanii 5 736 1379Mon–Fri 9.00–20.00, Sat 10.00–16.00

Reading Room of City Library

Raekoja plats 11 748 3012Mon-Fri 9-20, Sat 10-16

Lubja Library ServiceStaadioni 73 736 1698

Mon-Thu 14-18, Fri 10-14

Annelinna LibraryKaunase pst 23 746 1042

Mon-Fri 9-20, Sat 10-16

Karlova-Ropka Library Tehase 16, (Sisustuse E-Kaubamaja)

730 8472Mon–Fri 10.00–19.00, Sat 10.00–16.00

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Tammelinna Library Suur kaar 56 746 1035 Mon–Fri 9-20, Sat 10-16

City Council and Government Information Point

Town Hall (Town Hall Square – Raekoja plats)

736 1101 and 744 2111

Mon 9.00–18.00, Tue– Fri 9.00–17.00 Sat-Sun 10-14

Finnish InstituteVanemuise 19 742 7319

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10.00–16.00, Wed 10.00–18.00

Lõunakeskus Shopping Centre

Ringtee 75 730 3852 Mon–Sun 10.00–20.00

Bytehouse Computer Lounge

Vanemuise 21 (basement)

742 3443, 55 26 666

Mon–Fri 10.00–18.00, Sat 10.00–15.00

Tartu Kaubamaja (Meestemaailm)

Riia 1 (2nd floor) 731 5143 Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 9-19

5. Main public places with Wifi

Most pubs and cafés in Tartu have free WiFi: look for the WiFi sticker on the door or simply search for connection. In addition, there is WiFi on the entire Town Hall Square. Some other places with WiFi:

Tartu Linnaraamatukogu (Tartu Public Library) Kompanii 3 Tartu Ülikooli raamatukogu (Tartu University Library) Struve 1 Ülikooli Kohvik (University Cafe) Ülikooli 20

6. Leisure time

TheatresTheatre “Vanemuine” and Vanemuise Concert Hall – Vanemuise 46 Theatre “Vanemuine” small building – Vanemuise 45A Harbour Theatre – Soola 5b Check www.vanemuine.ee. Performances are mainly in Estonian.

Tartu Uus Teater – Lai 37 Check http://www.uusteater.ee. Performances are mainly in Estonian.

CinemasCinamon – www.cinamon.ee, Turu 2 (Tasku Center)

Ekraan - www.forumcinemas.ee, Riia 14

Athena Conference Center - www.athena.ee, Küütri 1

AHHAA 4D Cinema www.ahhaa.ee/en, Ringtee 75 (Lõunakeskus)

Movies are mostly in English with subtitles in Estonian.

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AHHAA Science Centre – www.ahhaa.ee/en/

MuseumsInformation is available at www.visittartu.com

Shopping centresTartu Kaubamaja – Riia 1, www.kaubamaja.ee Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-21:00, Su 10:00-19:00

Tasku Centre – Turu 2, www.tasku.ee Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00, Su 10:00-18:00

Lõunakeskus – Ringtee 75, www.lounakeskus.com Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00

Zeppelin – Turu 14, www.zeppelin.ee Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

Eeden – Kalda 1C, www.eeden.ee Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00

Grocery stores: You can pay with a debit and credit card almost in every shop. The clos-est ones to the dormitory are:

Comarket – Raatuse 22 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9-23

Ujula Konsum – Ujula 2 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9-22

Tartu Kaubamaja – Riia 1 Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9-22, Sun 10-20

Rimi – Turu 2 (Tasku Centre) Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8-22

There are two types of markets in Tartu: market hall and open market. Market hall (Vabaduse pst 1) is open from Mon-Fri 7:30–17:30, Sat 7:30–16:00, Sun 7:30–15:00. Open market (Soola 10) is open from Mon-Sat 8:00–16:00 and Sun 8:00–15:00. Open market is closed during the winter period.

Please remember that you can pay in cash only. Communication is in Estonian and Russian, some sellers might speak a little English, so it is a good place to practice your Estonian.

Places to eat: Information is available at: www.visittartu.com/1434.

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USEFUL READING

Culture shock

What is it?

The term culture shock was introduced for the first time in 1958 to describe the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment. This term expresses the lack of direction, the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate. The feeling of culture shock generally sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place.

We can describe culture shock as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place different from the place of origin. Often, the way that we lived before is not accepted as or considered as normal in the new place. Everything is different, for example, not speaking the language, not knowing how to use banking machines, not knowing how to use the telephone and so forth.

The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times. Although one can experi-ence real pain from culture shock, it is also an opportunity for redefining one’s life objec-tives. It is a great opportunity for learning and acquiring new perspectives. Culture shock can make one develop a better understanding of oneself and stimulate personal creativity.

Symptoms:

´ Sadness, loneliness, melancholy, unexplainable crying ´ Preoccupation with health, feeling sick much of the time ´ Aches, pains, and allergies ´ Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little ´ Overeating or loss of appetite ´ Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless ´ Anger, irritability, resentment, boredom, unwillingness to interact with others ´ Identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country ´ Loss of identity ´ Trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country ´ Unable to solve simple problems ´ Lack of confidence ´ Feelings of inadequacy or insecurity ´ Loss of ability to work or study effectively ´ Developing stereotypes about the new culture ´ Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness ´ Longing for family ´ Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused

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Stages of culture shock

Culture shock has many stages. Each stage can be ongoing or appear only at certain times. The first stage is the incubation stage. In this first stage, the new arrival may feel euphoric and be pleased by all of the new things encountered. This time is called the “honeymoon” stage, as everything encountered is new and exciting.

Afterwards, the second stage presents itself. A person may encounter some difficult times and crises in daily life. For example, communication difficulties may occur such as not be-ing understood. In this stage, there may be feelings of discontent, impatience, anger, sad-ness, and feeling incompetence. This happens when a person is trying to adapt to a new culture that is very different from the culture of origin. Transition between the old methods and those of the new country is a difficult process and takes time to complete. During the transition, there can be strong feelings of dissatisfaction.

The third stage is characterized by gaining some understanding of the new culture. A new feeling of pleasure and sense of humour may be experienced. One may start to feel a certain psychological balance. The new arrival may not feel as lost and starts to have a feel-ing of direction. The individual is more familiar with the environment and wants to belong. This initiates an evaluation of the old ways versus those of the new.

In the fourth stage, the person realizes that the new culture has good and bad things to offer. This stage can be one of double integration or triple integration depending on the number of cultures that the person has to process. This integration is accompanied by a more solid feeling of belonging. The person starts to define him/herself and establish goals for living.

The fifth stage is the stage that is called the “re-entry shock.” This occurs when a return to the country of origin is made. One may find that things are no longer the same. For example, some of the newly acquired customs are not in use in the old culture.

These stages are present at different times and each person has their own way of reacting in the stages of culture shock. As a consequence, some stages will be longer and more dif-ficult than others. Many factors contribute to the duration and effects of culture shock. For example, the individual’s state of mental health, type of personality, previous experiences, socio-economic conditions, familiarity with the language, family and/or social support systems, and level of education.

How to fight culture shock

The majority of individuals and families that immigrate from other countries have the abil-ity to positively confront the obstacles of a new environment. Some ways to combat stress produced by culture shock are:

´ Develop a hobby. ´ Don’t forget the good things you already have! ´ Remember, there are always resources that you can use.

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´ Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations. It is go-ing to take time.

´ Learn to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavourable environment, don’t put yourself in that position again. Be easy on yourself.

´ Don’t try too hard. ´ Keep active. By getting out of your room or outside of your apartment, you are able

to experience first-hand what Estonians are doing. If you visit public places, such as a shopping mall or sporting events, you will be able to watch and learn how Estonian customs are practiced.

´ Learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner. Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class, etc.

´ Relaxation and meditation are proven to be very positive for people who are passing through periods of stress.

´ Maintain contact with your ethnic group. This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of loneliness and alienation

´ Introduce yourself to other international students. Other international students may be experiencing the same problems that you are. By talking to them, you may be able to find out ways they are coping with problems.

´ Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the language. Volunteer in community activities that allow you to practice the language that you are learning. This will help you feel less stress about language and be useful at the same time.

´ Allow yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, your friends, etc.

´ Recognize the sorrow of leaving your old country. Accept the new country. Focus your power on getting through the transition.

´ Pay attention to relationships with your family and at work. They will serve as support for you in difficult times.

´ Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress. ´ Find ways to live with the things that don’t satisfy you 100%. ´ Maintain confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the

future. ´ If you feel stressed, look for help. There is always someone or some service available to

help you.

Guanipa, C. (1998). Culture Shock. Retrieved August 2004, from edweb.sdsu.edu/people/Cguanipa/cultshok.htm

Where to get help and more information:

´ Talk to your tutor. ´ Talk to the psychologist – phone number 737 6211. ´ Read about cross cultural conflict and adjustment. There are books and a lot of

articles available on the internet (type in “culture shock” in Google search).

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