Colby College
Russian Program
Lovejoy, 4th floor
4440 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8844
P: 207-859-4400
F: 207-859-4405
 

Getting There (and Back!)

Program dates vary from semester to semester, and the Off-Campus Study Office will inform participants about dates well in advance of the semester. The fall semester program typically begins in early September and concludes in the third week of December. The spring semester program begins in early February and concludes in the third week in May. It may be possible for some students, after consultation with the Colby Russian staff, to add a Jan Plan in St. Petersburg to the spring semester program.

Participants will make all travel arrangements with Colby's Off-Campus Study Office. This office will also process visa documents, required for entry into Russia. Students are responsible for obtaining their own passports, which must be valid for 6 months beyond the concluding date of the program, and must also have an International Student ID card (issued at the Colby Registrar's Office); both these documents must be presented to Off-Campus Study Office when flights are booked and visa applications turned in.

 
Sergei at the airportIt is very desirable that the participants arrive in St. Petersburg together in order that the Gimnazium staff can most efficiently orient students to the city and to the program. Roundtrip flights between an east coast American departure city, selected by Colby, and St. Petersburg, as well as all visa costs are covered by program fees. If an overnight in some European connection city is necessary, the program fee will cover this overnight. If students wish to arrange other routes between the US and St. Petersburg, the equivalent of the cost of the Colby routes will be credited to the students' account.

Travel arrangements must be made at the earliest possible date in order to guarantee the best ticket prices.

No vaccinations or immunizations are required for entry to Russia. It is, however, Russian policy to require proof of an AIDS test, and Colby insists that the AIDS test be done in the U.S., prior to your departure for St. Petersburg. It is highly recommended that students consult a physician at Colby and their home physicians for a complete physical and consultation about medications.

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