FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is KSPU?
Please, click here to get a map of Karelia, map of Petrozavodsk and addresses.

Who is the Rector of KSPU?
Mr. Sergey Grippa is a Rector of KSPU since 2007.
To contact Sergey Grippa, please, mail to Rector

How shall I get my invitation / visa?
To get the letter of invitation, please send the following documents to the International office of the chosen faculty:

- the application form (first page, the second page)
- the photocopy of the first two pages of your passport.

The documents can be sent by mail, fax or e-mail.

On consideration of your documents you will be sent the letter of invitation. Please, find out the details of getting the visa in the Russian Embassy in your country. It takes about 75 days to get the letter of invitation, that is why you are recommended to send all the documents not later than 3 months before the beginning of the term.

Do I need to register my visa?
On arriving in Petrozavodsk you should have your visa registered within 72 hours. The University (International office) is responsible for registration. You need to bring your passport with visa and migration card to International office of KSPU.

How shall I be picked up at the airport?
Transportation from the airport could be arranged upon your request. You will be met by the KSPU representative. You will receive important and useful information about your stay upon arrival. Please, contact International office in advance.

How much money should I carry with me?
Food and housing are relatively cheap in Petrozavodsk, especially compared with big cities.
For standard lunch in the canteen you will need two-three dollars. You may need some money to buy other services, excursions, souvenirs, presents or something else. You can save money and yet return home with bags full of Karelian (and not only) souvenirs and gifts. The artists of Culture and Rest Center in the Republic of Karelia are prize winners of many republican and all-Russia exhibitions. They can offer many articles unique in design and made of wood, birch bark, bone, natural fabric and yarn.

Major credit cards (VISA, MC, AMEX, DinersClub etc) are acceptable in the local shops, restaurants, bars and clubs.

Where can I exchange money?
There are many FOREX offices in Petrozavodsk (Lenin prospect) but you will be requested to present your passport or other ID. In order to avoid legal problems / obstacles do not change with people in the street- there have been several different sets of bank notes issued in the last ten years and you can easily be fooled. When you change money, many places will give you a green receipt- it is not necessary to keep these and do not worry unduly if you are not given one.

Click here to get a currency converter.

Should I always have documents on me?
We advise you always to have documents on you. You must present your passport and visa in order to change money, and to buy train tickets, book hotel rooms and in numerous other situations.

How do the eating arrangements work? What do I get to eat?
Russian cuisine contains little that you are not familiar with. If you choose to live in campus you can eat in the university canteen or elsewhere you want or cook yourself. Upon arrival you will get more detailed information about restaurants, cafes, bars of Petrozavodsk.

Do I have to get medical insurance during stay in Petrozavodsk?
Before arrival to Russia you should check with your doctor what inoculations you require and take out a medical insurance policy before you leave your home country. You will not get free medical care here in Petrozavodsk if you haven't got medical insurance. Otherwise you will have to pay extra money. You can take out medical insurance policy here in Petrozavodsk. The cost varies from 0,97$ to 0,32$ per day and depends on the duration of your staying here.

Can I change accommodation if I don't feel comfortable?
We do our best to select accommodation that fit best to your personality and personal background. In case you feel uncomfortable we will try to provide you with better accommodation.

How do I get to university on the first day?
On your first day you will be brought to the university by someone of our staff. Next days you will be provided with bus pass.

What courses does KSPU offer?
Links to the university-wide course catalog, interfaculty course offerings are on the Course Catalogs and Academic Calendars page. Another way to learn about courses is to visit the Web site for a particular school, department, or program. Some of these places will list their courses on their Web sites. A list of links to these Web sites is at:

To whom can I turn if I have problems?
You can call International Office or you can simply come by. Also a list of telephone numbers of all our university administrative and teaching staff will be put at your disposal. Please, feel free to make use of it.

What happens if I get sick?
First of all, you should contact International Officer who will help you to handle this problem. You will get free medical service only in case you have medical insurance. Otherwise you will have to pay your own money for services received.

Where to go in for sports?
There is a sport center at the university. There you can play tennis, billiard, indulge in aerobics, bodybuilding. As well there are some modern sports centers in Petrozavodsk.

Is street crime common?
There is some, but very little compared to large cities. You should behave as you would in any European city with 300.000 inhabitants. You should not carry large sums of cash around with you and you should hold your personal items close to you in the bus or trollybus. At night you should refrain from discovering the city and its nightlife.

Where do I get a monthly ticket for the public transportation system? At the university you can purchase a monthly ticket valid on bus and trolly. This ticket costs between 6 dollars per month.

Where is the post office nearest the university? For letters you can use the post office in Gagarina sq. 1 (near the railway station), less than 10 minutes away by foot. Upon arrival you will get all information necessary for your happy staying in Petrozavodsk.

Where can I make international phone calls cheap?
The most economical option is the so-called 'peregovorni punkti'which you can find all over the city.The one nearest to the university is at the post office (Gagarina sq. ) Also you can purchase telephone cards at the post office as well. These can be used in payphones all around the city.

If you have more questions please contact us.