All individuals who plan to stay in Kazan for three months or longer must undergo a medical examination (including an HIV Blood Test) and obtain a certificate indicating that their health permits them to stay in the Russian climate. If health reasons prevent an admitted candidate from studying in the Russian Federation, he/she will have to leave Russia. The health certificate must indicate that the applicant has no contraindications for study abroad. The health certificate must be issued by an official medical institution of the visitor’s country of residence. English or Russian translation of the certificate is required.

The HIV test should be completed no earlier than a month before entering Russia.

Generally, Russia is the same as any European country in terms of health risks. So, if you’re OK living in Europe, US, Canada, Australia or elsewhere you don’t need to take any special preventive measures before coming to Russia.

Staying in Russia, we recommend to be careful when you buy food outside, always wash fresh fruits and vegetables, and try to keep your hands clean.

Every student is bound by contract to buy a medical insurance with a limit of at least 15,000 US$. More information about medical insurance can be obtained at the Dean’s office.

If you are looking for western standard health care you can go to private clinics. You will have to pay as much as in Europe or US. It is also advisable to ask your Russian friends if they know a good doctor, as this arrangement can save you a lot of money. The bigger state hospitals have good doctors, so in case of emergency you can use them.

Most of the people need health insurance to be treated at a hospital, however, some countries have reciprocal health care agreements with Russia. For example, British nationals do not need health insurance in Russia, as their domestic health insurance is valid in Russia as well.

Contact your local health care office for details.

Your expenses depend, of course, on your lifestyle. If you cook for yourself it will cost you about $100 a month to buy food. If you live with a family you spend less on food.

Stores and markets in Kazan provide a wide variety of familiar foods at affordable prices. Please note that the cost of living in Kazan is much lower than in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

AVERAGE PRICES IN RUSSIA

All prices are in US dollars

A taxi ride in Moscow: from center to suburbs — about $6 -$10 US, otherwise it’s about $0.4 per kilometer and about 20% less in smaller towns.

A bed in a dorm room of a hostel: from $20

A *** hotel room: $80-$150

A ***** hotel room: >$250

1 metro trip: $0.5, 1 bus trip: $0.5

A lunch in a restaurant (business hours) for 1 person $8-$10.

All you can eat: about $12

A loaf of bread $0.5

A pack of milk: $1

1 kg of bananas $0.8, 1 kg of apples $1.2, 1 kg of oranges $1-$1.5, 1 kg of tomatoes: $1, 1 kg of potatoes $0.4-$0.6

A pack of rice: $1, 1 kg of chicken filet: $3-$4, 1 kg of meat: $2-$5, 1 kg of fish filet $4.

Fine for not registering your your visa and stay: $30

According to a new amendment in a Russian law, individuals entering the country for educational purposes may work here during time off from studies. Thus, students cannot count on working to cover all tuition and accommodation expenses incurred during their stay in Russia.

It is important to see and verify your employer credential before you begin to work in a company. Sort out all the terms and conditions before you begin to work. In order to get employed legally, you should sign a contract and visit the office of Federal Migration Service for the work permit. You will also need a «No Objection Certificate» from the Dean’s office on KSMU’s letterhead stating that university has objections for you to work.

More information on work permit can be obtained at the Visa office of KSMU.

International students may live in the students’ dorm or have an apartment or a room arranged for them by the University.

But the living conditions are rather Spartan: two or three persons to a room, eight rooms on each floor, one kitchen, two toilets, shower in the basement. Students cannot select their rooms. The number of rooms is limited, and, therefore, early applications will be given priority. In addition, some students may be uncomfortable with the rather strict dormitory rules.

International students may live in the students’ dorm or have an apartment or a room arranged for them by the University.But the living conditions are rather Spartan: two or three persons to a room, eight rooms on each floor, one kitchen, two toilets, shower in the basement. Students cannot select their rooms. The number of rooms is limited, and, therefore, early applications will be given priority. In addition, some students may be uncomfortable with the rather strict dormitory rules.

Off-campus apartments Rent amounts depends on the location, size and condition of the apartment. As a rule, apartments offered for rent are supplied with furniture and basic household appliances (refrigerator, TV, telephone). Current average prices start at RUR 12,000 for one-room apartments and 15,000 for two-room apartments. Utility bills are not included in the rent.

Family stay. The best choice in terms of improving language proficiency is staying with a host family.

If you come to Kazan when spring comes (April — May), nature awakens from its long winter sleep. The sky is blue and cloudless, the sun shines brightly. The trees are in full blossom and the ground is covered with emerald-green grass and multicolored flowers. It is usually warm or even hot during the day (+15+22 C), but temperature can sink between 0 to +5 C at nights. This season is good for sight seeing.

The weather is usually fine in summer (June — August), but it can be very hot, especially in July (+30 +35 C). Sometimes there are rains, storms or hails. Summer is suitable for all activities: fishing, hiking, cycling, swimming in lakes and rivers etc.

September is the most picturesque period of the year , unfortunately, it is so short. It’s still warm during a day (+15 +25 C), however it gets colder and colder.

It often rains in October and November. Autumn is awful season in Kazan. There are puddles and mire on the streets, cars sprinkling dirty waters on pedestrians and it’s really cold (between 0 to +5 C). I would strongly recommend you to NOT to come to see Kazan in this unpleasant season.

The early winter starts with the first snow in December and it lasts till the middle of February. It’s too cold (-15 to -5 C) but very beautiful. Everything is covered with amazing white snow. It’s so good for skiing, skating, mountain skiing. It is a pretty good chance for you to celebrate Russian New Year with drinking vodka, driving in a sledge and visiting Russian Banya (Sauna).

The next season is very unpleasant for visiting Kazan. The latest winter is cold (-30 to -15 C) and windy. White snow turns into dark grey. There are mire form dirty snow, sand and salt on the streets. I suppose, visiting the Caribbeans is the best thing you have to do!

CLOTHING

Make sure that you take warm winter clothes if you are going to stay between November and April. The swimming season starts in May or early June. In September, you will enjoy a marvelous «golden autumn».

The climate is moderate-continental, with occasional droughts. Average temperature is -13C during the coldest month of the year (January) and +19C during the warmest month (July). Average annual precipitation is 460-520 mm. Vegetation period lasts about 170 days.