MGIMO STUDENT HANDBOOK Your stay in Russia: useful information, answers to most popular questions MGIMO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK CONTENTS 1. GREETINGS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE ................3 2. CONTACT INFORMATION ...................................4 3. FACTS ABOUT MGIMO .....................................8 4. BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME .................................9 4.1. Obtaining Your Student Visa ...................................9 4.1.1. General Information ..............................................9 4.1.2. How to Apply for Your Visa .......................................10 4.1.3. Supporting Documents ..........................................11 4.1.4. Immigration Procedures .........................................12 4.1.5. Medical Insurance ...............................................13 4.1.6. Legalising and Notarising Documents ............................14 4.2. Useful Tips .................................................15 4.2.1. Climate .........................................................15 4.2.2. Safety ..........................................................15 4.2.3. Time Zone ......................................................16 4.2.4. Money ..........................................................16 4.2.5. Communications ................................................17 4.2.6. Internet. 17 4.2.7. Plugs and Sockets ..............................................17 5. GETTING TO MGIMO ......................................18 5.1. Moscow Airports ............................................18 5.2. Moscow Train Stations .......................................19 5.3. Taxi ........................................................20 5.4. “Aeroexpress” ..............................................21 5.5. The Moscow Metro ..........................................22 5.6. To MGIMO by Metro ..........................................24 5.7. Finding Your Way From The Metro Station To MGIMO ............25 6. NECESSARY FORMALITIES AND ARRANGEMENTS UPON YOUR ARRIVAL AT MGIMO .................................26 6.1. Settling in Student Accommodation ...........................26 6.2. Registering at the International Office ..........................27 6.3. Registering with the Federal Migration Services .................28 6.4. Immigration Regulations .....................................29 6.5. Key points ..................................................30 7. MGIMO CAMPUS ........................................31 7.1. Map of the University ........................................31 7.2. Library .....................................................32 7.3. Sports Facilities .............................................33 7.4. Clinic ......................................................34 7.5. Restaurants and Coffee Shops ................................35 7.6. Additional Facilities .........................................36 7.7. Student Accommodation .....................................38 7.8. Dress-code .................................................42 8. STUDENT LIFE ..........................................43 8.1. Academic Calendar and Classes Times .........................43 8.2. The Grading System: Tests and Exams .........................44 8.3. Student Clubs and Associations ...............................45 8.4. Important Events ............................................47 8.5. MGIMO Career Centre ........................................49 9. AROUND MGIMO ........................................50 9.1. MGIMO’s Surroundings .......................................50 9.2. Post Office and Pharmacy .....................................50 9.3. Banks and ATMs ............................................51 9.4. Coffee Shops and Restaurants ................................51 9.5. Supermarkets and Grocery Stores .............................52 10. SIGHTSEEING IN MOSCOW ................................53 10.1. Main Sights ................................................53 10.2. Theatres ..................................................54 10.3. Museums ..................................................55 10.4. Parks .....................................................56 11. SPORT IN MOSCOW ......................................57 12. OTHER INFORMATION ....................................60 12.1. Holidays ..................................................60 12.2. Customs and traditions .....................................61 12.3. Russian Cuisine ............................................62 12.4. Russian Souvenirs and Symbols ..............................63 1. GREETINGS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Please, accept the warmest greetings from MGIMO International Office! We are thrilled that you have decided to join us at MGIMO University. We hope that you will keep memories of the time spent at MGIMO as that of unprecedented academic challenges, of vivacious social interaction and that it will take you one step closer to accomplishing your cherished goals. This brochure has been designed to help you painlessly adjust to the MGIMO University environment and settle comfortably in Moscow. Alongside important administrative information, it provides an overview of the University, the campus, its social and academic life. Should you need any further details, do not hesitate to reach out to us. You are always welcome at our office. We can also answer your queries by e-mail, phone or via the University’s social networks. All contact information can be found on the following page. We wish you a pleasant stay with us and hope that this period of your life will be exciting and memorable. Welcome! 3 CONTACT INFORMATION CONTACT INFORMATION 2. CONTACT INFORMATION 4 5 CONTACT INFORMATION The International Office is the primary contact for foreign students at MGIMO. However, depending on what program you are in, you should contact different departments. For Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Russian language Exchange students Visiting students International Summer School INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Telephone: +7 (495) 434 90 74; +7 (495) 434 90 66 Email: [email protected] Оffice: 1037 (see MGIMO map, 1st floor). Address: International Office MGIMO University 76, Prospect Vernadskogo Moscow, Russia, 119454 The International Office helps foreign students in dealing with practical matters related to their stay in Moscow, such as obtaining their visas, going through the registration process with immigration authorities, and securing accommodation. Alongside providing guidance as regards academic issues whenever necessary, IO offers a full-year program of Russian training for those who want to improve their language skills before applying for a regular degree program. IO also runs the International Summer School in June and July. For Bachelor’s Degree Program in English SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Telephone: +7 (495) 431 30 53 Email: [email protected] Оffice 4157 4th floor Address: School of Government and International Affairs MGIMO University 76, Prospect Vernadskogo Moscow, Russia, 119454 6 CONTACT INFORMATION The School’s main responsibility is the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Government and International Aff airs. During their studies, students complete a set of cours- es in World Politics, Political Science, Governance and Management, Economics, Business, Law, Social Sciences and other humanities.The program consists of four years of full-time training. B.A. graduates may apply for the Master’s programs taught in English at MGIMO, or dual Master’s programs with partner universities. For Master’s Degree Programs in English Double Degree Master’s Programs MASTER’S DEGREE DEPARTMENT Telephone: +7 (499) 431 39 14 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Оffi ce 1042 A 1st fl oor Address: Master’s Training Offi ce MGIMO University 76, Prospect Vernadskogo Moscow, Russia, 119454 The Department runs Master’s Degree programs in English – Politics and Eco- nomics in Eurasia and Governance and Global Aff airs. The programs combine lec- tures and workshops in which students acquire a profound knowledge of current world aff airs and fi nd practical solutions to the most important issues. Students of Dual Degree Programs study both at MGIMO and with partner universities, such as Sciences Po, Bologna University, University of St. Andrew’s, University of Gene- va, Free University of Berlin, University of Barcelona and others. 7 FACTS ABOUT MGIMO 3. FACTS ABOUT MGIMO FOUNDATION: INSTITUTES: 1944 International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy NUMBER OF STUDENTS: International Institute of Administration 7000 European Studies Institute (including 1000 international Bachelor’s Programs students from over 70 countries) International Relations Area Studies FACULTY: Economics 1100 Law (including 20 Members of the Political Science Russian Academy of Sciences, Management 130 Full Professors, 400 PhDs and Journalism Associate Professors) Public Relations and Advertising Social Studies LANGUAGES: Environmental Policy 53 State and Municipal Administration (20 linguistic departments) Master’s Programs SCHOOLS: 59 Master’s degree programs School of International Relations 15 areas of training School of International Economic PhD Studies Relations 26 academic degree programs International Law School School of International Journalism ACADEMIC CALENDAR: School of Political Science Fall semester School of International Business Semester starts – 1st September and Business Administration Semester ends – 31st December School of Applied Economics and Examination period – 8th – 25th January Commerce