FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
1: What
types of classes do you offer?
We offer a wide range
of programs for every level of proficiency.
2: Do
your programs offer any sightseeing opportunities?
Yes, we encourage all
our students to visit as many cultural and historical landmarks as
possible by themselves. However we arrange excursions and activities
that would be difficult for students to attend by themselves. We are
always pleased to fulfil a request.
3: Do
you provide health and/or medical insurance for your students?
Before coming to
Russia each student must obtain a medical insurance in a local medical
insurance company. Without having the insurance, students won't be able
to get visa at Russian consulate. If a student wishes to prolong his
education, we offer him Russian state - subsidized health insurance in
Sochi .
4: What
about the crime in Sochi ?
The level of crime in
Sochi is lowest in the country, however as tourists, students have to
protect valuable things, mind their company, and not to be naive, be
careful how and where they travel and how and where they buy things.
5: Who
will pick me up from the airport
Our company
representative is able to meet you at the airport. However, if you
prefer to make your own way to the centre, there are plenty of taxis at
the airport. If you select this option, we recommend that you use
official taxi services only and stay away from the "taxi sharks" that
are around at the airport. There are also several forms of Russian
public transportation such as buses and vans provide slower, but
reliable service. Sochi International airport, Adler, is a considerable
distance from the centre of Sochi therefore, we recommend that you
allow us to provide you with transfer service.
6: Is
there anything I should know about getting through Customs?
Customs points in
Russia are quite unique and generally inconsistent in their enforcement
of customs laws. Generally, you should expect to fill out a Customs
Declaration on your flight into Sheremetyevo - 2. What is a Customs
Declaration for? It is generally used to declare any specific items
that you are bringing IN with you that
you want to be able to take OUT with
you. This does not, however, mean that you have to 'declare' every item
of clothing or toiletry. This is mainly for money, jewellery,
videotapes, electronic items, and other objects of value
that may require proof
that you brought that thing in with you. Once you get off the plane,
you will first pass through Passport Control, then proceed to Baggage
Claim where you can expect to wait from 10-30 minutes for your luggage.
Be watchful for your luggage and keep your claims ticket handy as you
may be asked to prove your luggage is actually your
luggage. Then, if you decide to declare something, you should plan on
going through the RED gate. Here a
customs agent will look at your passport, visa, and declaration. S/he
should then make some marks on the declaration, stamp it, and send you
on your way. In some cases, however, they will want to personally
ruffle through your things to make sure you're not lying. If you have
nothing to declare and plan to spend almost all your money in Russia
before returning home, you can go through the GREEN
gate where you may or may not be stopped at all.
7: How
do I exchange money? None of the exchange points in my country sell
rubles!!
The reason you cannot
buy rubles at the hard currency exchange points in your country is that
rubles are NOT a hard currency and they have never been one. The ruble
used to be a strictly Soviet monetary unit and therefore, was not used
in any of the world's markets. As a result, the ruble continues to be
used only within Russia and can only be purchased IN Russia. Although
the exchange rate is not the best, you can buy rubles at Sheremetyevo -
2 or, if you can wait, there are exchange points practically on every
corner in Moscow and Sochi .
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