HSE BeforeArrival 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 ARRIVALPlease 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.

VISAInternational 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 CARDWhen 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 CUSTOMSWhen 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 AIRPORTWhen 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.

MetroFor 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.

TaxiWe 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.

CLIMATEThe table below shows average monthly climate indicators in Moscow.

Temperature: in Centigrade

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Avg. Temperature

-6 -6 -1 7 11 17 19 16 11 5 -2 -6

Avg. Max Temperature

-3 -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

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.

MONEYATMs, 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 CardsCredit 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 INTERNETThere 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 FOODMost 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 LANGUAGESmiling 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.

SAFETYRussia 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.

EMERGENCIESUniversal emergency number (from cell phones) - “112”.

MEDICAL INSURANCE AND HEALTHWe 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 WEEKIn 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!