Join the International Kola Peninsula Excursion
Overview
The Kola Peninsula Excursion provides you an unique chance to visit Russia. A particular focus on the one-week excursion is in its northwestern corne, Kola Peninsula. During the week, we will have many activities: visits to the biggest city in the Arctic ; Murmansk (pop. 375 000), the Sámi culture center of Lovozero and the famous mining towns of Nikel, Monchegorsk and Apatity. We will also have lectures on various topics along the road. You will learn about nature, the economy, politics and culture in the Kola Region, not to mention see the exotic Kola Peninsula with your own eyes.
The excursion will be arranged in cooperation with the Arctic Centre and it is a part of the Arctic Studies and Russian Studies programmes.
Excursion Fee and Registration
The excursion is intended for both students and staff of the University of Lapland . The maximum size of the group is 25 students and staff members. Please note that priority in registration will be given to students taking part in the Arctic Studies, Circumpolar Studies or Russian Studies programmes.
Participants will have to pay for the excursion themselves. The excursion fee includes transportation, accommodation, most meals, and the excursion programme. In addition to the excursion fee, students will have to pay the visa and insurance costs themselves. The University of Lapland takes care of the visa arrangements. The amount of excursion fee varies yearly.
During academic year 2011-2012 Kola Peninsula Excursion will be arranged in spring 2012. Detailed information about the time and programme will be available later.
The registration for the excursion is done by using the registration form available from this web-page. The excursion is organized if there is a minimum of 20 participating students.
Practical Information
Traveling to Russia has become easier since 1990’s, but still there are some issues that needs to be taken into consideration. Here is some practical information on bureucracy when travelling to Russia:
Passport
A valid passport is naturally needed, but when applying for visa, please notice that
1) the passport must remain valid for six (6) months after the expiry of the visa (tourist visa),
2) there must be an empty double page in the passport,
3) the passport must be undamaged (all damaged passports are returned by the Consulate) and
4) passengers cannot have two simultaneously valid visas to Russia (the eariler valid visa is automatically invalidated when an application for a new visa is processed).
Visa
Participants are also required to apply for a visa (except for Russian citizens, of course). The process of getting visa takes about from two to four weeks. Visa is issued by the Russian Consulate. The price depends on the nationality.
In order to get a visa, an visa application formula must be filled and following items must be included in the application:
1) one passport photo
2) a certificate of a valid travel insurance
Please note that the requirements which the Russian Consulate in Helsinki sets for issuing visas are subject to change. Additional documents can be required. Registered participants will be informed about the possible additional documents and ISC will assists students with their visa applications. Please note that the ISC is not liable for the visa decisions of the Russian consulate in case of negative visa decisions.
Travel Insurance
Russia does not issue a visa without a valid travel health insurance. A certificate of travel health insurance must include
1) traveller’s name,
2) name of the insurance company,
3) number of the insurance policy,
4) clearly legible indication of the period of validity,
5) mention that the insurance covers all medical costs in case of illness, and
6) mention that the insurance covers transportation to home in case if serious illness or death
A certificate of travel insurance or a copy of your travel insurance card must be included in the visa application formula.Please make sure that your travel insurance is valid in Russia!
Buying a travel insurance
In case you do not have and/or cannot get a travel health insurance, which is required for the visa, you can also get it through the travel agency handling our trip. The price for a 7-day insurance is approximately 20 Euros.
Summary
If you feel that the system is somewhat complicated, here is a simple list what you need to do in order to be able to travel to Russia:
First..... Please note the following:
1. Check that you have a passport that meets Russian requirements Passport must remain valid at least 6 months after the trip.
2. Fill in the excursion registration form and return it to ISC Available at ISC or downloadable from this website
3. Make sure that you have one passport photo Only one photo is needed !
4. Get a travel insurance certificate, and the other required documents Make sure that your travel insurance is valid also in Russia
Then...... Visit ISC
5. Fill in the Visa application form and bring it along with all required documents and passport to ISC. Available at ISC
6. Pay the excursion fee and the visa (+possibly the insurance) All of your fees are charged with one invoice (which you can pick up from ISC)
ISC= International Studies Coordinator (Faculty of Social Sciences A-wing 1nd Floor)
Health Issues
There are no vaccination requirements when travelling to Russia. If you want to know more about health issues, please visit www-pages of World Health Organisation.