Information for Accepted Students

Upon Acceptance

After your acceptance to the program, you are responsible for completing the forms below and submitting them to us by the due date.  Moreover, it is your responsibility to check this webpage often for any updates, including materials about life in Saint Petersburg, cultural adjustment, what to pack, and the Smolny course list for the coming semester.

Below is information for applying for a visa.  Bard staff will assist you in the application process and will file your documents with the Russian consulate on your behalf.  However, it is your responsibility to submit the required materials to us.

Remember that because the Russian consulate requires your passport for visa issuance, please expect to be without your passport for the 4 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 (email smolny@bard.edu for password):

For Spring 2009 accepted students:

Due to time constraints, these forms are all due by November 15th. 

• Info Sheet (please read carfeully!)
• Bard Disability Registration Form (optional)
• Bard Emergency Contact Information Form
• Bard Statement of Responsibility and Assumption of Risk Form
• Student Housing Request Form (Space in certain housing options is limited.  Space will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore it is to your advantage to submit housing request form as soon as possible.)
• Release of Claims and Medical Treatment Authorization
• Bard Transcript Request Form

Visa Information: Due December 15th

Please note: as described in the visa application instructions below, the Russian Federation requires all individuals applying for a sutdent visa to submit the results of an HIV antibody test. Please allow sufficient time for the test so that the results may be submitted by December 15. For more information, see the document below, "How to apply for a visa."

• How to apply for a visa (including what you need--please read carefully!)
• Visa application with fields entered

Health and safety:

• General Information about health and safety at Smolny can be found here
• US State Department of State about traveling to Russia

Resources

Accepted and prospective students are welcome to access the following password-protected resources.  Please contact us at smolny@bard.edu for the password.  The spring 2009 handbook and resources will be made available soon!

• Student Handbook - Fall 2008
• Resource Guide to St. Petersburg for Students - Spring 2009