VISIT TO PERM, RUSSIA in SEPTEMBER 2009

VISIT TO PERM, RUSSIA in SEPTEMBER 2009

The Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre together with the University's Department for Continuing Education is arranging for a group of eight people to visit Perm as guests of the University of Perm. They will be accommodated in families with at least one English speaker and will have many opportunities to observe real Russian life. The visit is part of an exchange scheme in which the fee paid supports the visit of a Perm teacher in Oxford.

The visit is open to anyone although it is based on our long-standing Oxford-Perm link. The programme of the fortnight can vary according to individual interests. As guests of the University you will be asked to talk to University students, while your activities can include: visits around the city, to the Urals countryside, canoeing along the Silva river; professional and specialist contacts with economists, lawyers, local politicians, (and lectures if you are willing and able); visits to art galleries, concerts, ballet; studying the work of the city council and local voluntary groups; taking part in family life with your hosts and their friends. Previous visitors on this scheme have seized all sorts of opportunities to see how Russian society works. Several have returned for a second visit.

A knowledge of Russian is not necessary since interpreters will be provided, but obviously you will learn more if you know a little Russian.  Participants should be physically fit and willing to walk reasonable distances. Many of our hosts do not have cars, and walking, climbing stairs and public transport are normal. And you should be adaptable...

DATES: Saturday 12th September to Sunday 27th September 2009 (Fifteen nights) The journey is by British Midland scheduled flight to Moscow. You will travel from Moscow to Perm by train - about 900 miles and the first day of the Trans-Siberian route. You will have a few hours in Moscow on the return journey.

COST: For all costs (except visa and travel insurance) including air fares, train fares, other travel in Russia, full accommodation and board, a programme of activities including a concert or ballet, two full day tours) the cost will be £965.  We will arrange your visas and  inform you in June of the cost. Currently official visas are £45 plus special delivery postage. Commercial visas are less hassle and about twice as much. All this will be explained.

NOTE: The group will be limited to seven or eight people, so if you are interested, PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM OVERLEAF AND SEND IT TO PROMPTLY to Karen Hewitt (address overleaf), For specific enquiries, please ring 01865 515635. For more general information there will be a meeting in late June or early July for those going to Perm in which useful details of all kinds will be passed on.

APPLICATION FORM FOR A VISIT TO PERM, RUSSIA, IN SEPTEMBER 2009

Please fill in the form below CLEARLY and return it to Karen Hewitt, Rewley House, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JA. with a deposit of £190. This is refundable up to the 30th April, but thereafter will only be refunded if someone else can take your place or in exceptional personal circumstances. The remainder of the cost of the visit (£775) is payable by 31st May 2009. Please make cheques payable to St Antony's College.

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                     VISIT TO PERM      12th to 27th September 2009

The following details are essential for visas. Please write or print CLEARLY.

FULL NAME (as it appears on your passport)_______________________________________________

ADDRESS (INCLUDING POSTCODE) _________________________

______________________________________________________________

NATIONALITY___________________________  DATE OF BIRTH___________

PLACE OF BIRTH AS GIVEN IN YOUR PASSPORT________________________

PASSPORT NUMBER (Must be a full and valid passport to at least end of March 2010)

______________________________Please give expiry date_______________

TELEPHONE NUMBER (home) _______________    (work)  __________________

email address (clearly!) ___________________________________

WORK POSITION, EMPLOYER, WORK ADDRESS (if retired, please indicate)____________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Have you been to Russia/Soviet Union before? (Give approximate dates)_____________

With this form I enclose a clear photocopy of the main page of my passport (with photo and personal details) and a cheque for £190 made payable to St Antony's College as a deposit. I agree to pay the rest of the sum (£775) by 31st May 2009

Signed____________________________   Date ___________________