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Survival Guide BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Survival Guide You've got questions? We've got innovations! Ekaterinburg, Russia 1.02 – 10.02.2010 BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide Welcome Welcome to the LBG Ekaterinburg USTU Survival Guide, welcome to RUSSIA! Please read carefully our guide. Do not hesitate to ask us for any extra information if there is something that is not clear to you.This guide should serve you all the information you need, so don’t forget it at home! We wish you very pleasant stay in Ekaterinburg! Russia The area 17,075 million sq. km The population 147,1 million person Capital Moscow Ancient history of Russia is misty and mysterious. There are not enough sources of information, by which historians and archaeologists could restore the picture of so ancient past. Almost the millennial period, from the Slavs to a Mongol invasion,is described roundly then precisely. The main boundary in Russian history is the Mongol-tatarian yoke. The laws, power, politic course and even clothes, coins, simple way of life were changed; adopted to the attitude of hording culture,political and military traditions. The result of this is the prevalence of eastern Slavs and Orthodox religion in Russia. The second half of XV century is famous for appearing scattered fields and single Muscovy. Its military, political power was enough for solving problems with states of Eastern Europe. In XVII century the frontier of Moscow was enlarged – from Kiev to Baikal. During XVI-XVII centuries Muscovy learned how to use technics, got acquainted with European science, culture of Renaissance. At the same time our country preserved her own political independence and original distinctive culture. The main sense of Peter’s I reforms are included in becoming Russia as the part of Europe. In the next ages, Peter’s issues ruled Russia and all of them moved ahead Russia on the world level. After this the main dates of our history are 1917– the great October revolution, the power of the country was passed into the hands of communists; 1991- the communist’s regime was falled down by democrats.Nowadays Russia will truly fascinate you: it`s old and young, freshly rural and urban, reserved and hospitable, cultured and crazy! As one architect – Ettore Sottsass – said, in Russia there is an incredible energy. When a war or an authoritarian regime ends there is a moment of great explosion and hope. Russia is living this moment and since it is big and powerful, it can do extraordinary things. The Moscow` official site http://www.mos.ru/ URALS. sverdLOVEsk REGION The area 194,8 thousand sq. km The population 4511,2 thousand person Capital Ekaterinburg Sverdlovsk region is located on east slopes of Average and in part Northern Urals (The highest point – Konzhakovskya stone, 1569m) and on adjoining surburb of WestSiberian lowland. Climate moderatecontinental. Winter cold, snow, long, average temperature of January in the south of area from –15° C up to –17° C, in the north from –17° C up to –20° C. Summer on plain warm (average temperature of July +18° C), in mountains cool. The majority of the rivers originates on slopes of the Urals mountains. The basic part of area is covered with a taiga, in a mountain part it mainly a taiga with the dark needles, passing with height in moss and lichen tundras, and on plain the pine woods passing in the south of area in birch woods with sites of forest steppes prevail. Sverdlovsk region is rich in natural medical resources, alongside with a climate, mineral waters of various structure and sapropelic dirties concern. The Urals keeps a lot of mysteries. You can literally touch some of them by your hands. What seems at first sight to be a tumble of rocks, may be the site of an ancient settlement of people, who BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide lived there ten thousand years ago. Such sites can be found even within the precincts of Ekaterinburg, around the Shartash lake.The territory of the region itself contains a great number of interesting archeological monuments. The Ural area is a real Mecca for geological tour lovers. It is a unique mineralogical site rich in precious and semiprecious stones, ores and other minerals. Travelling through the Ural area may have a special significance, as there are many places of pilgrimage in the towns of the region. The spiritual wealth of the Urals can be discovered while visiting Verkhoturye, where spiritual harmony is combined with amazing natural beauty. The Polar Urals attract lovers of extreme tourism and mountaineers. http://welcome-ural.ru The year of the foundation: 1723 Status: administrative centre of Sverdlovsk region and Urals Area square: 491 km2 Population: 1339,1 thousand people Roads: important transport junction, intersection of latitudinal and meridional railway lines, international airport, logistic center. Allocation: on the border of Europe and Asia, on the eastern slope of the Urals mountains, at the floodlands of the Iset river (the Tobol inflow). Climate: temperate-continental with sharp changes of the weather, all seasons are welldefined. Distance to Moscow: 1667 km. Distance to Vladivostok: 7635 km. Geographical coordinates: 56°51’ N; 60°36’ E Yekaterinburg is the 4th (after Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk) largest city in Russia. It was founded by Peter I as the metallurgical factory and by the XX century it had become one of the largest and the most important financial, industrial and cultural centres. Between 1924 and 1991, the town was known as Sverdlovsk (oeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoe). From the Ekaterinburg`s foundation the main road of the Russian Empire was laid through this city. To the west of Ekaterinburg, the road was called the Moskovsky highway, and to the east, the Great Siberian-way. Thus Ekaterinburg became the gateway to the boundless and rich Siberia, the so-called «window to Asia», just as St. Petersburg was the Russian «window to Europe». Since the 1830-s, Ekaterinburg has become the center of the engineering industry. State and private mechanical factories started producing mining and metallurgical equipment. The beginning of the 20-th century saw rapid developments. During the Civil War the city was the scene of bitter battles between the Red and the White Armies. On October 26, 1917, Soviet power was finally established in Ekaterinburg. Half a year later, on April 30, the abdicated Emperor Nikolay II, together with his family, was escorted from Tobolsk to Ekaterinburg. They were lodged in the house of the engineer Ipatiev. On the night of July 17, 1918, the Royal family and their closest servants were shot in the cellar of the house, with the secret approval of Lenin and Sverdlov. The 70 years of Soviet regime leave after the heaps of bulky monuments of socialistic leaders at every square in the city but also this epoch leaves a great examples of constructivist buildings. Now Ekaterinburg generally looks as any other megapolis. But may be it`s just an Asian in european wear? www.history.e_burg.ru www.ekburg.ru/admeng/ BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide Ekaterinburg USTU Ural State Technical University – UPI was founded in 1920 and is the leading technical university in the Urals. The University has 15 faculties with over 40000 students (2006) and 2200 staff. USTU - UPI has 11 hostels and 8 study buildings at campus. Steps of education: Bachelor, Engineer, Master and Ph.D. USTU-UPI has a long history of international students training. From 1946 till nowadays USTU - UPI trains international students. The University is proud of its graduates and welcomes you to make the first step in your career! http://www.ustu.ru LBG Ekaterinburg USTU Address: BEST Ekaterinburg USTU, Mira street, 19, Ekaterinburg, 620002, Russia Email: ustu@BEST.eu.org Homepage: http://www.bestustu.ru/ University: Urals State Technical University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation Status: Full Member President: Ksenia Gaydukova The local BEST Group Ekaterinburg USTU was established at BEST’s General Assembly in Slovakia, 2003. All LBG Ekaterinburg USTU events are organised in order to provide supplementary education for students at European technical universities. BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide Get in. Transport Considering pretty large distances in Russia compared to Europe the fastest and the most comfortable way to get to Ekaterinburg is by plane. Almost all flights are transit via Moscow. But there are regular direct flights carried out by Ural airlines from the following European cities: Munich, Paris, Prague, Istanbul, Barcelona, Warsaw, Genoa. Yekaterinburg is also a stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway. There are daily trains to the city from Moscow. From Airport “Koltsovo”: At the airport you should take the bus No.1. This is the cheapest ways to get to the centre. Of course, you can get into taxi, but it costs much more. Thus you can get to the central square called ―The Square of 1905‖. Getting to The Urals State Technical University presents no difficulties for everybody knows where it is (though, unfortunately, not everybody speaks English). You can get on a tram (No.No.13,15,18) or a bus (No.No.25,28,33,50) and go off at USTU (UPI) station. However, we will pick you up Let us know as soon as possible the exact date and time of you arrival to Russia. From Central Railway Station: So as to get to ―The Square of 1905‖ you should get on a bus (No.No.21,23), or a tram (No. A). In case you are following to our university, you should get on a bus (No.60, No. 82) or a tram (No. 23, No. 32) and go till the same station USTU (UPI). However, we will pick you up Let us know as soon as possible the exact date and time of you arrival to Russia. Public Transport The central part of Ekaterinburg has problems coping with traffic. Getting around the centre of Ekaterinburg by car is a real pain. The public transport system is efficient. There is a wide tram network, trams are inexpensive and reliable way of getting around Ekaterinburg. Buses and trolleybuses (electric buses) experience the disadvantages of heavy traffic in the peak hours. The trams can be quite crowded and the ticket is purchased onboard by special woman (conductor). Ekaterinburg is a very compact city for its population (1.3 million). One can drive from one side of the city to the other in some 30 to 40 minutes, providing the traffic allows that. Ekaterinburg has a metro (underground) line, just one yet, connecting the central part (stop is near the Circus) to Uralmash large industrial and residential area, having stops near main railway station and further down to Uralmash. They say it is mentioned in The Guinness Book of Records for its unsurpassed length!!! It consists of seven stations! Metro proved to be popular with the locals because it is quick and inexpensive. The stations are impressive, decorated with native Ural stones, granite and marble. You should know that bus, tram, trolleybus or underground tickets cost equally whether you’re going to cover 1km or 50 km. BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide Meeting Point We will pick you up. Let us know as soon as possible the exact date and time of your arrival to Ekaterinburg. Please use our mailing list of the course (that will be created especially for the course) or this mail: ustu@best.eu.org. Moreover, you can always write to valeria.atamanova@BEST.eu.org or call +7 912 24 79 654. What to Bring With We live near mountains (the Urals). It`s almost hills. But the weather is changing very fast. So you can`t really tell what the weather will be like even tomorrow. • warm comfortable shoes; it is desirable to be fur-lined • fur coat or the same jacket and the other such warm clothing • swimwear (who knows? at least you`ll need it at Bahnya (russian sauna), but no sun cream and sunglasses!) • the elegant clothes • camera • for the international evening you have to bring your national traditional drink and food • some good music from your country (in any form) • any music instrument you can play (no pianos!) • money (plastic or cash) • student ID • towel and stuff for personal hygiene • medications • something nice for the organizers • additional alcohol :) • passport, visa, the medical insurance and Alka zeltzer but in Russia the cucumber pickle is more useful and helpful. You`ll try it. Check the weather : http://www.gismeteo.ru/city/daily/4517/4/ Money This is fairly simple. Or, at least, it should be! The unit of Russian currency is Rubles, and each ruble is devided into 100 Kopeiek. The exchange rate 1 Euro = approx. 45 Rub It is better to bring with you currency in American Dollars or in Euros. You can change them at any bank. NB!: at bank you have to show your passport to change your money. Mostly, there is no problem to get cash from your credit card. Cash dispensers, are widely spreaded. The following credit cards are accepted in Russia: Visa, Maestro, MasterCard, American Express and some others. This is an example of approximate prices in Russia: beer 30-60 Rub bottle of vodka (supermarket) 100-350 Rub pack of cigatetts 30-80 Rub lighter 10 Rub 1 bus/ tram/trollebus/metro ticket 14 Rub bottle of mineral water 20-40 Rub BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide Electricity The voltage in Russia as well as the socket and plug sizes are identical to the most of European countries (220V / 50Hz). When You Get Lost... You can always call the cell phones of organisers, we will immediately help you.If you meet a bear, as him for help. Usually, they are very friendly. Valeriya Atamanova: +7 912 24 79654 Ksenia Gaydukova: +7 912 22 08702 How to survive in the cold 10. Keep your gas tanks in your cars full or as close to full as possible at all times. The less gas you have the more likely it is to freeze. If it freezes, your car won't work and if you don't have a car and live off campus consider yourself MIA from your classes. You wouldn't want to miss class on the second week of the semester... would you? 9. Pray your pipes in your dorm or apartment don't burst. The university hasn't been having great luck with this issue lately, and chances are your place of residence is next. So whether you are religious or not, pray. 8. Bring a heating pad to class and sit on it while everyone else freezes. You need to make sure you find an outlet for this one or have a battery run heating pad. This will especially come in handy for those drafty lecture halls without ANY heat. 7. Yell at anyone who mentions the words "global warming." 6. Lined wool pants...enough said. 5. Find a "buddy" to walk with between classes and walk arm in arm. Body heat is a very useful thing. It doesn't matter if you don't know them either, they'll be happy to steal your body heat. You will both benefit. 4. Stop running outside for exercise. That's why the gym in available and readily equipped with treadmills. It'll also be fun to steal the exercise equipment from the regular gym buffs and watch their reaction. 3. Buy a Northface or Columbia jacket. These are by far the warmest jackets out there. In these jackets you can also pretend you are a ski instructor and impress people. Note: Make sure you know the name of at least one trail within the resort you've decided you work at. 2. Gain weight to use as insulation. Don't stop until you reach about 500 pounds. And the number one way to survive the cold... 1. Buy a balaclava. You may look like an ax murderer, but your face will be warm. How to Make Skittles Vodka By placing Skittles candies in a bottle of vodka for a day or two you can make a tasty, sugary infusion that's a perfect change of pace. Steps: 1. Buy a handle of vodka and a large bag of Skittles. 2. Separate the colors of Skittles that you want to flavor the vodka with. Many people choose to leave out the green (Lime)and purple (Grape), as they can make for a weird taste combination or a less than appealing color for the final product. 3. Remove the plastic pour guard in the bottle of vodka. BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide 4. Pour some of the vodka into a glass in order to make room in the bottle for the candy. 5. Place the Skittles (20-25 per 350 mL) that you have picked out into the bottle, and let it sit for a day or two. 6. Strain out the Skittles using a filter or a clean t-shirt. 7. Enjoy in moderation. How to survive Bear Attack Hopefully, you will never need this advice. But, if you are unable to prevent a bear attack, these tips may help you survive it. 1. Hike with bear pepper spray at the ready--easily accessible in a holster on your belt or in a front pocket. If a bear does attack, you will only have seconds to respond. 2. Aim the bear spray toward the attacking bear. When he is in close range—about 40 feet away-begin to fire a cloud in his direction. Hopefully, the super-strength pepper spray will be enough to ward off the attack. 3. Drop to the ground and lie face down if you have no spray, or the bear continues its charge anyway. Cover the back of your neck with your hands and DO NOT move. 4. Play dead. When the bear starts its attack as you lie on the ground, play dead. If he leaves you alone--even for 20 minutes, play dead. The bottom line: yes, play dead. Grizzlies are well-known for attacking until the perceived threat is neutralized; if you're no longer moving, you're no longer a threat. The Russian Language Hmm... It`s really complicated. BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu Survival Guide Before Journey All foreign nationals (even if you are Russian, but live not in Russia now are required to have entry visas to travel to the Russian Federation. Russian entry visas can be obtained at local Russian Embassy or Consulate, proper authorization (invitation) from the Passport and Visa Department (UVIR) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or specially authorized travel agencies is required. You should apply for a visa at any Russian Embassy or Consulate worldwide. Pretty complete list of Russian Embassies or Consulates is available here: http://www.russianembassy.net/ If you are very busy person, you may appeal to some travel organizations and their authorized visa service offices near you. It costs some $ 50 – 80. http://www.visatorussia.com/ Below there are details, we need to know, in order to send you invitation: 1. Name and surname; 2. Place and date of birth; 3. Citizenship; 4. Country of your living; 5. Passport number and its date of issue; 6. Aim of visit (remember? : ) 7. Planned points of your visit in Russia So, here is the sequence of operations: 1. Making up your mind to come to us; 2. Sending us your details; 3. Receiving our invitation; 4. Obtaining visa; 5. Coming to Russia. WELCOME TO RUSSIA BEST Ekaterinburg USTU Mira, 19 Ekaterinburg, Russia Valeriya Atamanova +79122479654 E-mail: ustu@BEST.eu.org www.BEST.eu.org/ekaterinburg_ustu