Siberian Federal University

PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION

After you have finished the admission procedures, there are just a few final arrangements left before departure. Please follow our tips to avoid any difficulties upon your arrival.

TIP 1: Contact the International Students and Staff Support Office

Please contact the International Students and Staff Support Office (ISSSO) by oska@sfu-kras.ru as soon as you get your visa and purchase your tickets to Krasnoyarsk in order to stay updated with the steps to be taken before and upon your arrival. The ISSSO team will include you to the list for crossing the Russian border, arrange a transfer from the airport/train station for you, provide you with the accommodation information and help you with the documents needed for registration and migration procedures. Remember to contact the ISSSO beforehand (at least 14 days prior to your arrival) to get all the instructions in time and avoid any border-cross difficulties. All the questions about Krasnoyarsk and University Campus life should be referred to oska@sfu-kras.ru as well.

TIP 2: Make sure that you are bringing with you all the needed documents, which are listed below

• International passport (copy) valid for at least 18 months after the date of entry to the Russian Federation and migration (landing) card.
• Medical X-ray certificate valid on the date of entry into the Russian Federation.
• Document of previous education (with the list of the taken courses, credits received and grade point average), duly prepared for nostrification.
• 12 matte photos, 4 by 6 centimeters.

TIP 3: Consider purchasing medical insurance and mind the medicines

You are legally obliged to have medical insurance coverage for the entire duration of your stay on the territory of Russia. Insurance can be purchased at your home country but it should be valid on the territory of Russia. It is also possible to get medical insurance in Russia — this can be done from a local health insurance company. The International Students and Staff Support office will help you to deal with it. The actual medical insurance options are presented here. Be sure to bring all the prescriptions and medications you currently require. Some medications may sometimes be difficult to acquire in Russia, but Russian doctors may help you to find some alternative options, if needed.

TIP 3: Think about the money matters

The ruble, or rouble, is the currency of the Russian Federation. The current situation makes it difficult to transfer money from one country to another. That is why we recommend you to bring some dollars cash and change it here, in Russia, as currency exchange offices are still working. It is highly recommended to observe some ways for money transactions from your country to Russia beforehand, so that your parents could send you money without any difficulties.

TIP 4: Choose your accommodation

International students are accommodated at the University’s on-campus dormitories. SibFU provides comfortable residence halls with en-suite block of rooms for 4 or 5 people. Dormitory room-blocks have:

• showers;
• washing machines;
• fridges;
• electric cookers.

Please be advised that the University doesn't provide single-occupancy accommodation for students. While using electric appliances & gadgets please be aware that standard voltage in Russia is 220w and a socket may differ from the one you usually use at home, which means you may need adaptors to get access to an electric circuit. There are certain dormitory rules and you should follow them. If you find on-campus accommodation rental rules too strict & you are feeling rather like renting accommodation off-campus, you can rent a flat via one of the real estate agents that are available in Krasnoyarsk. Please be advised, however, that renting a place off-campus is the most expensive option and may cost up to 350 US dollars per month.

TIP 5: Mind the weather in Siberia

Winter: Siberian winter may be really very cold (-30…-35°C), so be sure to bring these warm clothes in order to avoid having health problems:

• warm thick coat;
• warm socks;
• warm winter sturdy boots;
• scarf;
• warm hat;
• thick gloves.

If you have no possibility to buy these clothes in your country, please make sure you allot enough money for purchasing them locally. The choice will be varied. Approximately, full outfit will cost you around 15000 rubles (coat (7000 rub) + boots (5000 rub) + hat, scarf, gloves and socks (3000 rub)). Summer: The weather in summer in Siberia can be rather unpredictable: hot days with 30…35°C and cold rainy days with 10°C. That’s why remember to take not only t-shirts and shorts but also:

• rain coat;
• umbrella;
• sweaters;
• jacket for cold days.

Otherwise, you can also buy the stuff locally. You will have access to a gym and a swimming pool during your time at SibFU. If you exercise regularly, be sure to pack appropriate clothing.