Study Abroad in St. Petersburg: Cultural Travel
2-day visit to London (Included in fee)
Students have the opportunity to visit London, recover from jet lag and meet and travel with fellow AIFS students to campus.
Thursday, August 27 or January 28 Morning arrival in London where the flight will be met by an AIFS representative. Transfer to a hotel for students who have booked their flights with AIFS. Balance of the day free for rest and relaxation.
Friday, August 28 or January 29 Morning sightseeing tour with a professional guide who will point out some of London's most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. Afternoon and evening free.
Saturday, August 29 or January 30 Transfer to airport for flight to St. Petersburg.
Includes hotel, breakfasts, airport transfers, sightseeing tour and local guide. Lunch and dinner are not included.
3-day visit to Moscow (Included in fee)
Moscow, with a population of ten million, is Russia's capital and largest city and has long been amongst the most prominent cities of Europe. With many well-preserved czarist monuments interspersed among 20th century buildings, it is the home of the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet, the Moscow Art Theater, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and many smaller drama theaters. Chief among the city's many museums and art galleries are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the State Tretyakov Gallery (mostly Russian Art) and the Kremlin Museum. Moscow is the major Russian tourist center.
During the break each semester, the Resident Director accompanies students on a visit to Moscow, giving them the opportunity to explore the capital of Russia.
The trip ends at the beginning of the one-week semester break. Students have 6 days for independent travel after the trip. AIFS provides a return train ticket from Moscow to St. Petersburg. There is no refund for students who choose not to participate in this group excursion.
Friday, October 9 or March 12 Night train with couchettes from St. Petersburg to Moscow.
Saturday, October 10 or March 13 Morning arrival in Moscow. Students enjoy a guided visit to Moscow's principal monuments.
Sunday, October 11 or March 14 Morning visit to Red Square and the Kremlin. Afternoon guided tour of the Tretyakov Gallery. Evening at the Moscow circus or Bolshoi ballet, depending on availability.
Monday, October 12 or March 15 Free day in Moscow. Semester break starts.
The visit includes transportation, accommodations, breakfast, sightseeing and the services of a guide. The University reserves the right to alter dates or itinerary.
Dates are tentative and subject to change. During the spring semester, full-year students may choose to go on a separate excursion and be refunded up to the cost of the Moscow trip on presentation of receipts.
4-day visit to Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia (Included in fee)
This 4-day trip encompasses the heart of the Baltic region, historically the crossroads of east and west. The visit includes the two great European cities of Helsinki, capital of Finland, and Tallinn, capital of the former Soviet Republic of Estonia.
Thursday, November 12 or April 15 Morning departure by train from St. Petersburg for the 5-hour trip to Helsinki, a city with a strong maritime influence; three quarters of its surface area is sea. An afternoon tour of Helsinki visiting some of the main sights, such as the magnificent Suomenlinna Fortress. Evening free and overnight in Helsinki.
Friday, November 13 or April 16 Free day for further exploration of Helsinki and the islands of its archipelago. Possibilities include the fruit, vegetable and souvenir stalls of Market Square, the Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari Island, or the Temppeliaukio 'Rock' Church, one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions.
Saturday, November 14 or April 17 Morning short ferry journey across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn. See the Medieval Old Town including St. Olav's Church, the tallest church in Medieval Europe. Free time in the afternoon to visit the Latin Quarter and climb the Town Walls. Evening ferry return to Helsinki and overnight.
Sunday, November 15 or April 18 Morning return train journey to St. Petersburg.
The visit includes transportation, accommodations, breakfast, sightseeing as indicated. Lunch and dinner are not included. Dates and itinerary are subject to confirmation.
Dates are tentative and subject to change. During the spring semester, full-year students may choose to go on a separate excursion and be refunded up to the cost of the above trip on presentation of receipts.
End-of-program London visit
Saturday, December 12 or May 15 Afternoon flight departure from St. Petersburg to London. Evening arrival in London where an AIFS representative will meet the flight. Transfer to a conveniently located hotel for students who have booked their flights with AIFS. Balance of the day free for rest and relaxation.
Sunday, December 13 or May 16 Transfer to airport for flight to the U.S.
