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LEARNING RUSSIAN IN ODESSA

on the edge of the mythical Black Sea

for students, teachers, journalists and for all, who would like to discover Russian speaking countries not without knowing its language
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Odessa today | A short history about the Russian language | Studying Russian in Odessa | Courses | Accommodation | Application | Transfer | Excursion and travel | Services | Prices | General conditions

Odessa today

Opera in Odessa
Opera in Odessa

Potemkin stairs in Odessa
Potemkin stairs in Odessa

Russian church in Odessa
Russian church

On the edge of the Black Sea, Odessa is a charming high-spirited Ukrainian city of about one million inhabitants with a fascinating history. Opened to the world thanks to an active port, its inhabitants (the Odessites) are known for they great sense of humor and their freedom towards the central power, whichever it is. Cultivating a cosmopolitan culture and a vivid Russian language (Odessite usually do not speak Ukrainian), the city has a rich cultural life thanks to its opera, philharmonic orchestra and several theaters. Welcoming many students in its universities, Odessa offers also plenty of various activities for young and less young people.

In one word, with its nice old classical streets dating back to its foundation years in the XIXth century, its charming public gardens and several beaches along the seashore, Odessa is an ideal place to study Russian while being in holidays.

It is also good to know that the everyday life has eased since the end of the nineties, offering foreign visitors all what they need.

You can go to Odessa all year round and the city is very well linked to the rest of the world, thanks to its international airport, train station and port.


Studying Russian in Odessa

The school
The school

A classroom
A classroom

The meeting room
The meeting room

Partner in Odessa
School director and Mr. Ziegler

Courses take place at our partner school in Odessa, the Odessa Language Study Center, which is a privately run language school with teachers from Odessa Polytechnical State University and other teaching institutions in Odessa. It is located in a beautiful XIXth century building recently restored. At a walking distance of the city center, the Black Sea seashore and the main public garden of the city, it is the ideal place to explore Odessa.

All teachers have a long experience in teaching Russian to foreigners and speak all at least one foreign language (mainly English, but also French or German). The teaching method is based on total immersion, i.e., only Russian is spoken during the course.

Classrooms are bright and luminous and equipped with modern infrastructure. A small cafeteria and a meeting room are at the disposal of all students.

Courses

You can follow standard courses of 20 lessons per week or intensive courses of 30 lessons per week. The school also offers Russian courses for businessmen (20 lessons per week) at the same price as the standard and intensive courses. Lessons are 45 minutes each.

Courses are tought 4 lessons a day in the morning session (from 10.00-13.00) or in the afternoon session (14.00-17.00).

For each category of courses, students can apply for individual or group lessons, the possibility to follow group lessons depending on the number of students and their level of Russian. We recommend from our own experience to take individual courses: the professor can concentrate on your specific needs, which allows you to make quick progress and focus on your areas of interest.

At the first lesson, you will be asked to complete an assessment in order to determine your level of knowledge. A second test is offered at the last lesson, allowing you to measure your progress. At the end of the course, each student receives a certificate with the kind of course he followed and his level of Russian.

Duration of your stay

From numerous experiences we have learnt that the minimal time you will need to get acquainted with the new environment is two weeks. However, if time permits, we strongly recommend you to stay for at least four weeks. The longer you stay, the more progress you will make, obviously. Beginners will need six to twelve weeks in order to develop the language skills necessary to communicate in an every-day-situation, and to be able to read and understand texts.

Keep in mind: Russian is a complicated and difficult language to learn for foreigners and you will need to work hard on your progress. We require that you are familiar with the Russian alphabet prior to departure. This will facilitate your immersion into the Russian culture, and is, in fact, an easy task. Study material is available in any bookshop (check out also our own online bookshop).


Application | TITLE

Applications should come as soon as possible, latest three weeks before departure. Download the application form, print it, fill it in and send it to us per post or per fax. We will send you a confirmation and, if needed, an official invitation to apply for a visa at the Ukrainian consulate of your country.


Accommodation | TITLE

The best way to practice Russian is to stay with a family. All families hosting students live in the neighborhood of the school and offer accommodation in a separate room. Meals are not included in the standard price, but unless you follow a special diet, your hosts will be glad to prepare breakfast and dinner for you for only a small fee.

You can also stay in an apartment, a studio or a hotel for a wide range of prices. Please ask for an offer!


Transfer

At your arrival, our partner will welcome you and drive you from the airport/train station/port to your place of accommodation. The same service is offered the day of your departure. Travel can be also be arranged from Kiev by car (5h), train or plane. There are also daily flights to and from Moscow.


Excursion and travel | TITLE

Students on a tour
Students on a tour

Excursions in Odessa or in its surroundings are regularly offered to our students (as a rule, tours are in English). These excursions will allow you to discover the rich history and the architecture of the region. They are lead by a authentic native Odessite guide who is able to explain the fate of every stone and every great figure of her city.

We can also help you organize broader tours in Ukraine, for example to Crimea (one night by train or 40 minutes by plain) or to Kiev (same schedule). Please ask for an offer!


The included services | Our services

  • Language courses (individual or group tuition)*
  • Teaching material
  • Certificate of Russian*
  • Excursions*
  • Medical services in case of emergencies, medical insurance available for long term residents
  • Accommodation (family, apartment or hotel)*
  • Transfer from and to airport/train station/port
  • Invitation for a visa, if needed, and local registration*
  • Organization of travel across Ukraine
*Included if you book courses and accommodation


Prices | TITLE

We are committed to offer high quality courses that exactly fit your needs, but are also affordable to students. We can only do so from our own experience as students in Moscow and Russia and from our ten years practice in sending students to Russia. (-->about us).

duration20 h./week (standard or business)30 h./week
individualgroup*individualgroup*
weeks 1-4200 EUR120 EUR290 EUR200 EUR
weeks 5-10, per week190 EUR115 EUR280 EUR190 EUR
each additional week185 EUR110 EUR- -

For stays longer than 10 weeks, please write to us for a specific offer and additional discounts.

Group courses start every monday, if the number of participant should not be sufficient (min.2) a surcharge may be demanded.

Accommodation with a standard family: 115 EUR per week incl. half board.

Accommodation a premium family: 145 EUR per week incl. half board.

Teaching materials: 15 EUR

Transfer to/from the airport/train station/port: 15 EUR each way.

Application fee: 100 EUR

We will be happy to send you a specific offer upon your request.


General conditions | General Conditions

a) Liability

Ziegler & Partner Ltd., a registered company in Switzerland (GmbH under Swiss law), with representatives in the US and Moscow, shall not be liable in connection with its contracted services for (a) incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages of any sort, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, even if Ziegler & Partner GmbH has been informed of the possibility of such damages, or (b) for any claim by any other party. Liability is limited to double the contracted sum.

b) Application and validity of contract

Application should be announced in written form at least three weeks before departure, for later applications an express tariff may be added. The contract will only be valid after an initial deposit is received. The deposit is due 20 days before any of the contracted services start.

c) Cancellation and reimbursement

Cancellation of any contracted program must be announced in written form, fax or by email at least 15 days prior to departure and costs EUR 100. If it is announced less than 15 days before departure, it costs the equivalent of the first week of stay. Application fee, costs for visa and already issued transportation tickets cannot be reimbursed. Cancellation of any contracted service after arrival in the Ukraine must be announced at least 10 days before becoming effective; Ziegler & Partner GmbH will not reimburse unused services.

d) Prolongation

Prolongation of courses and stay in Odessa is only possible after contacting Ziegler&Partner and the Odessa Language Center, who will take care of your visa extension.

e) Change of program

The program is subject to change. If we cannot find an equal replacement, you will be reimbursed the difference in value. Changes in prices will be announced until 21 days before departure. If not explained or if exceeding 10 % of the contracted sum, you can cancel the contract without further costs within 6 days.

f) Insurance

Every participant must be insured for accident and illness during his stay under the contracted program. Proof of proper insurance must be presented prior to departure.

g) Swiss law is applicable. Place of judgement is Lausanne, Switzerland.


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Switzerland: Ziegler & Partner GmbH, Orzens 42, CH-1095 Lausanne
Last updated December 17, 2007. (c) info@studyrussian.com

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