An Unofficial Students’ Guide to Studying at Dehkhoda by John Ekins Dated October 2019 Introduction From a fellow student, welcome to Iran and welcome to Dehkhoda. This short guide is an introduction for students new to studying at Dehkhoda, and who are new to Iran in general. I noticed there was a constant passing on of information by word-of- mouth, often by the more experienced students to the newer ones. Much of that information is included here. This guide should hopefully: • Make clear the required student administrative processes including: ◦ registration ◦ visa renewals ◦ travel permits • Provide information about the classes and what to expect. • Help new students to become settled in Iran. • Give a head start to living in Iran as a student. It starts with your arrival in Iran, most probably at Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA). Any prices quoted are correct as of October 2019. Rough conversions to £ sterling are based on 140,000 rials to £1. The exchange rates may vary from day to day but this is close enough for mental arithmetic and price comparisons. Feedback and suggestions about this guide are welcome. Offering to take ownership of any part of it or translating it is even more welcome. This is an unofficial guide and is not endorsed by Dehkhoda. Any companies or services listed do not imply an endorsement. Key Internet links are highlighted like this. Links to other parts of the document are highlighted like this. Top tips: information that can really benefit you as a student and save your time. ❁ QR can be scanned to open a link in Google Maps. Alternatively, the link highlighted in blue can be clicked to open the same destination. Google Maps Page | 1 Table of Contents 1. Arrival in Iran ......................................................................................................... 5 Changing money at the airport .......................................................................................................................... 5 Getting from the airport to Dehkhoda ............................................................................................................... 5 Taxi ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Metro ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 2. Dehkhoda Institute ................................................................................................ 6 Address and telephone numbers ....................................................................................................................... 6 Dehkhoda Institute on the map ......................................................................................................................... 6 A brief history of the institute ............................................................................................................................ 7 The building........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Dehkhoda Treasury ....................................................................................................................................... 7 The Library .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Computer Room ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Who are the students? ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Student administrative functions ....................................................................................................................... 8 Registration – room 69 ................................................................................................................................. 8 Course fees ................................................................................................................................................... 8 Paying the bill ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Letters of introduction – room 65 ................................................................................................................ 8 Travel permits – room 65 .............................................................................................................................. 9 Student Card – room 63 ............................................................................................................................... 9 Consular Services Office: Visas – room 69 .................................................................................................... 9 Paying the visa extension fee ..................................................................................................................... 11 Insurance – room 70 ................................................................................................................................... 12 Key people ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Cafeteria and restaurant .................................................................................................................................. 13 WiFi and phone charging ................................................................................................................................. 13 3. Studying at Dehkhoda ........................................................................................ 14 Course dates..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Materials used during the language courses ................................................................................................... 14 Other suggested materials ............................................................................................................................... 14 The intensive course ........................................................................................................................................ 15 About the lessons ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Additional afternoon courses ..................................................................................................................... 15 Examinations .............................................................................................................................................. 16 Rating your tutor and the institute .................................................................................................................. 16 Attendance ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 End of term presentation ................................................................................................................................. 16 Literature and other courses ............................................................................................................................ 16 Private lessons.................................................................................................................................................. 17 4. Dormitories .......................................................................................................... 18 The Velenjak Dormitory ................................................................................................................................... 18 Full postal address ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Cost per month ........................................................................................................................................... 19 The rooms ................................................................................................................................................... 19 Lock up ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 Rubbish and uneaten bread ....................................................................................................................... 19 Paying the bill ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Internet ....................................................................................................................................................... 20 Local shops ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Kahf al-Shohada .........................................................................................................................................