Saint Petersburg

General information

Saint Petersburg, where our language centre is located, was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and has currently about 5 million inhabitants. The city is considered as the “Window on Europe”. Saint Petersburg is the most northly situated millions city of the world. 

In the heart of the summer, end of June and beginning of July, during the so called “White Nights”, there is almost continuously day-light. So: when coming for a summer course, you will enjoy this phenomenon, and it will give you extry energy to study! The average temperature in summer is about 20 degrees. In winter the average temperature is minus 10 degrees, but it could easily go down to minus 25 or even colder. 

Till the october-revolution of 1917 Saint-Petersburg was the capital of Russia. During the communist era the city was named Leningrad. In 1991 the population took back its old name. Historical low was the 900-days siege by the Germans in the WW-II, when almost one million inhabitants of the city lost their lives. Saint Petersburg is home city of the current president Vladimir Putin.

Since the 300-year celibration in 2003, the city has made much progress. Economic growth has become visible. Saint Petersburg is known for its high level of education. And one more thing to be proud of: Zenit, the local football club, won the Russian championship in 2007.

Culture

During your study in Saint Petersburg, you have an excellent chance to get to know the Russian culture as Saint Petersburg is the cultural capital of Russia. Many composers (Tshaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky) and writers (Dostoyevsky, Pushkin) were brought by this city. Saint Petersburg has many musea, of which the most famous: the Hermitage. In the Hermitage all famous names are represented: Picasso, Leonardo de Vinci, Van Gogh. The museum also has the biggest Rembrandt-collection of the world. Hermatige is  magnicicent, howver don't miss the Russian museum, which shows the real Russian culture.

Besides musea, the city has a large number of theaters. The Mariinsky Theatre is the home-theater of the world-famous Kirov-ballet. In addition a lot of opera’s are performed in the Mariinsky which are worth visiting.

In our summer programs we organise weekly excursions. Our teachers know the history of almost every building in the historical centre of the city !

Dangers

There are many Wild West stories about Russia. Consider it a usual European city. It is not without dangers, but as long as you know where to look, you reduce most of your risk. And those risks are probably not what you expect as being a risk in the first place when coming to study in Russia. 

Most dangers come from:

1. Traffic: a Russian saying "those who don't risk, won't drink champaign"... they'll all go for the champaign... ALL! So be careful, even as a pedestrian. 

2. Alcohol: avoid street conversations with drunk people, they easily might be offended by you refusing their invitation to drink wodka together. Being drunk yourself is also not the best idea, it makes you weak towards those with bad intentions.

3. Black cab: you will be surprised by the number of non-official Russian cab drivers during the night. It is an easy way to get through the city when public transport is sleeping. Just one thing: be careful, and avoid to step in a car with more people than only the driver !

4. > 50 km out of Saint Petersburg: you will miss nothing skipping a visit to "less international oriented" Russia (unless you like adventures). Law only functions to a certain level. That makes you weak as a foreigner... don't go there without a Russian accompanying you. This does not count for Novgorod or Moscow or other big cities.

5. Women: if you are a man, it may look like you're in paradise. But don't let the girls take your mind... It might influence your study results !