STUDENT HANDBOOK Edition 2007 1 STUDENT HANDBOOK Russian History ...............................................................................................................................................................3 Useful information...........................................................................................................................................................4 Climate...........................................................................................................................................................................4 Time zones.....................................................................................................................................................................4 Electricity........................................................................................................................................................................5 Holidays .........................................................................................................................................................................5 Opening hours ...............................................................................................................................................................5 Communications ............................................................................................................................................................5 Money ............................................................................................................................................................................5 Safety.............................................................................................................................................................................5 Our language centres......................................................................................................................................................6 St. Petersburg ................................................................................................................................................................6 Moscow..........................................................................................................................................................................6 Complaints Procedure ...................................................................................................................................................7 Administrative Information .............................................................................................................................................7 Life in a Russian family..................................................................................................................................................8 Activities (culture and leisure)........................................................................................................................................9 Saint Petersburg..............................................................................................................................................................9 History............................................................................................................................................................................9 City sights.......................................................................................................................................................................9 Theatre.........................................................................................................................................................................12 Excursions....................................................................................................................................................................12 Going out......................................................................................................................................................................13 Restaurants and cafés .............................................................................................................................................13 Nightclubs.................................................................................................................................................................13 Transport and Travel....................................................................................................................................................14 Moscow...........................................................................................................................................................................14 History..........................................................................................................................................................................14 City sights.....................................................................................................................................................................15 Excursions....................................................................................................................................................................18 Going out......................................................................................................................................................................19 Restaurants and cafés .............................................................................................................................................19 Nightclubs.................................................................................................................................................................19 http://eng.moscowout.ru/nightlife/nightclubs/...............................................................................................................19 Transport and Travel....................................................................................................................................................20 Travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg...............................................................................................................20 Frequently Asked Questions........................................................................................................................................21 On Travel and Arrival ...................................................................................................................................................21 On accommodation......................................................................................................................................................21 On booking and classes...............................................................................................................................................22 Living in St. Petersburg and Moscow ..........................................................................................................................22 2 Добро Пожаловать! Dear Student, Welcome to Liden & Denz and our language centres! We hope you enjoy your stay with us and that your time here is unforgettable. Our aim is to provide you with the best possible learning environment at our schools and in your host family. We also do all we can to help you to familiarise yourself with life in Russia. In addition to your classes, we organise several excursions each week to help you get to know the country and its people. Both St. Petersburg and Moscow are perfect places to enjoy world-class cultural performances and events – simply ask us for advice. Rest assured - we will ensure you have plenty to do in your free time, from our regular Friday aperitifs to boat trips and weekend picnics. You’ll never be bored with us! But don’t forget the main reason for your visit: language learning also involves discipline and hard work. We ask you to attend classes regularly, to be punctual and to do your homework - all essential to your progress. All our teachers are qualified and suitably experienced. Although the tuition takes place in Russia, most of our teachers also speak a foreign language. If you do not understand something, or would like to know the exact translation of a word, please don’t be frightened to ask your teacher. We hope your stay will be both fascinating and exciting. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your teacher or one of our staff, who will be happy to assist. I wish you success in your studies! Walter Denz (Managing Director) Russian History The cradle of the Russian nation is Kyivan Rus, the state where many Slavonic tribes joined together in the 9th century A.D. The capital, as the name suggests, was Kiev, today capital of the Ukraine. The most significant historical event of this early period was the Christianisation of Rus in 988 A.D. Old Russia expanded rapidly, entering conflicts in the south with Byzantium and in the north with the Vikings, who were advancing into Eastern Europe. In the first half of the 10th century, the state of Kyiv flourished and became an important cultural and political force in mediaeval Europe. But gradually the cities became more politically and economically independent and battles broke out between the regional rulers, until at the start of the 12th century the Kyiv collapsed. Splintered, Russia was in no position to defend itself against the Tartars, who had begun their invasions