Information for Accepted Students

Upon Acceptance

After your acceptance to the program, you will begin receiving materials about life in Saint Petersburg, cultural adjustment, what to pack, and the Smolny course list for the coming semester.

Approximately two months before your departure, you will receive a packet of information about your visa. Bard staff will assist you in the application process and will file your documents with the Russian consulate on your behalf.

Because the Russian consulate requires your passport for visa issuance, please expect to be without your passport for the 6 – 8 weeks immediately preceding the start of the program.

Prior to Departure

Bard provides a comprehensive orientation prior to your study at Smolny. The program will begin with pre-departure training at Bard College in upstate New York, from where you will fly with Bard-Smolny staff to St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg orientation includes an overview of program expectations (academic and behavioral), safety and health information, a discussion of cultural adjustment strategies, an introduction to life in St. Petersburg, and visa registration. On the final day of orientation, you will move into your semester housing. Following the orientation program, you will begin the two-week Russian Language Intensive at Smolny.  Click here for a sample orientation schedule.

Forms

Once you have been accepted, you will receive access to and be asked to complete the following password-protected forms:

• Bard Disability Registration Form (optional)
• Bard Emergency Contact Information Form
• Bard Statement of Responsibility and Assumption of Risk Form
• Student Health Statement
• Student Housing Request Form
• Release of Claims and Medical Treatment Authorization
• Bard Transcript Request Form

Resources

Accepted and prospective students are welcome to access the following password-protected resources.  Please contact us at smolny@bard.edu for the password.

• Student Handbook - Fall 2008
• Resource Guide to St. Petersburg for Students - Fall 2008