ISU in St. Petersburg
Before You Go
Health and Safety
There are a few recommended vaccinations that you can get before you go. Make sure you plan ahead on these, as some of them take a while to begin working. All of the information you need can be found at the Thielen Student Health Center as well as local clinics, such as the McFarland Clinic.
Thielen Student Health Center
Corner of Union Drive and Sheldon Avenue
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515-294-5801
Dr. Peter Wolfe
Family Practice Physician
3600 Lincoln Way
McFarland Clinic Pc
Office Phone: 515-663-4892
Plan ahead for any prescriptions that you will need while you are abroad. Talk with your doctors about getting extra refills for your trip, including contacts, allergy medication, etc. Also check with your doctor to see if any of your medications are restricted in the Russian Federation.
Financial Planning
You know best how much you spend in the average week, so you will know best how to plan for six weeks (or more) abroad. Breakfast and dinner will be provided by your host family, and you will be responsible for lunch and any other food that you want. Also, public transportation will most likely be a necessity. A single ride on the St Petersburg Metro costs 14 rubles (about $.60). You can buy passes for a month (max 70 rides) at a cheaper rate, which is advisable as you will probably use it daily. There are other ways to get around the city, most of which require a little more courage and knowledge of the language. (Check out the second website on the Links to Russian Websites page for detailed descriptions of the various modes of transportation.)
As far as making withdrawals in Russia, contact your bank about their policies for international transactions, such as fees, exchange rates used, and availability of funds. Do not plan on using anything but cash while in Russia. And DON’T buy rubles on the street from anyone in Russia. Counterfeit currency is highly circulated and there’s not much you can do about it once it’s in your hands. “Dollars should be clean, crisp, and ‘unmarked.’ Yes, bank employees look at you funny when you request this, but even the smallest mark or tear will mean that they are basically worthless in Russia.” (NewsNet, May 2006 v. 46 n. 3 “Guide to Travel and Safety in Russia” pg. 17)
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