AFTER EMPIRE: The Collapse of Communism and Beyond
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Who will be accompanying, chaperoning and traveling with the students from Estonia, Russia and Ukraine?
There will be a representative of the University of Tartu with the students at all times, including during the travel to and from St. Petersburg, Russia and Kyiv, Ukraine. This representative also will accompany the group to all events and meetings in all three countries. The representative is an official representative of the University of Tartu - member of staff - and has the full authority to act on behalf and in the name of the University of Tartu. Any possible concerns regarding security, emergencies etc. will be handled by him/her. The representative is fluent in English and Russian and can therefore act as a translator if there is a need during international travel.
Additionally, the charter bus will stay in St. Petersburg, Russia during all the times and can serve as a mini-base for the group, although they will be staying at the international student hostel.
In addition, an assigned representative on behalf of the partner universities in Russia and in Ukraine will be available for the group. They will handle any program-related issues as well. -
How will students travel to Estonia?
There are flights with SAS, Delta, American Airlines, Estonian Air, etc. to Europe from $800 – $900, usually with connections. Other options including flying to London and taking an Easy Jet flight to Tallinn, Estonia. Others have taken a flight to Helsinki, Finland and then a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia.
Everyone will need to arrive and meet the weekend before the program starts. Pick up from the airport will be arranged.
Students are responsible for the purchase of travel to Estonia. -
Is there a maximum number of students for the program?
Yes, the maximum number of students that will be selected for the program is 30. There were 19 participants for the winter program in January 2007.
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Is there a minimum number of participants for the program?
Yes, the University of Tartu wishes to have at least 12 participants for this program. If this number is not reached the program will be suspended by ISEP and an application fee refund will be processed upon request if the student does not wish to be placed on hold until the next available program start. -
What do the costs include and do not include?
The program cost includes tuition, accommodation, participation in the cultural program, and transportation to Russia and Ukraine. The cost does not include meals or transportation to and from Estonia, or the Russian Visa.
The accommodation in Estonia and Russia will be in international student dormitories. The dormitories are modern and comfortable. In Ukraine, the participants will stay in a hotel.
Travel from Tallinn, Estonia to St. Petersburg, Russia is by bus. Travel from Tallinn, Estonia to Kyiv, Ukraine is by plane. -
Visa Information
The Russian visa is not included into the cost of the program and the participants of the program need to apply and pay for it separately. After receiving the payment for the program, St. Petersburg State University will send out invitations which will allow participants to apply for the Russian entrance visa at your country of residence.
Citizens of the United States and of the member states of the European Union do not require an entrance visa to Estonia and Ukraine. If you are a citizen from another country, please check the specific visa requirements from the official websites of Estonia and Ukraine. -
Can students participate before or after their ISEP exchange in the same or neighboring region?
Yes, with prior advanced notice, accommodation is generally available for students to fill any gaps there may be between the January Program and the spring semester or the Summer Program and the fall semester. January 2009 will be ISEP’s first January (winter) term program offering. -
Do you have any course materials available for the program? A syllabus would be most helpful in securing departmental support on our campus.
Yes, the detailed program description for the program can be found here: http://www.isep.org/students/Featured_programs/eru/After_Empire_prog_descript.pdf -
How are the credits issued?
The University of Tartu issues the official transcript with their credits and there with be certificates of attendance from St. Petersburg State University and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy as well. The credit is generally upper division credit. -
How to apply?
Contact the ISEP coordinator in the study abroad or international programs office on your campus.