Dear future participant,

As the Russian economic growth is continuing for five consecutive years, more and more Western companies are starting their business in Russia or considering a market entry. Therefore they need and will need even more qualified professionals in their quest for the Russian market.

Our program aims at providing you with advanced knowledge and expertise of the contemporary Russian business environment and the latest strategies and practices required to do successful business in it. All different subjects and topics are brought to you by leading academics and experienced Western businessmen working in Russia.

Located in one of the loveliest and most beautiful cities in Europe, the program offers you knowledge and expertise together with meeting interesting people, making friends and having a lot of fun. Welcome!

The program is operated by the Baltic Center of International Studies.

The basic fee includes:

• issuing a letter of invitation (needed for obtaining Russian visa)
• accommodation (double room in a dormitory).16 Nights
• academic fee and study materials
• company visits and enterprise forums
• city tour and boat trip
• welcome party and gala evening.

Programe Content

Module 1. Russian Business Environment (with exam option 3 ECTS credits)
Module 2. Russia in the World Economy (with an exam option 3 ECTS credits)
Module 3. Business Operations in Russia and Russian Business Culture (with an exam option 3 ECTS credits)

Module 1. Russian Business Environment (with exam option 3 ECTS credits) 

• Central issues of economic transformation in cotemporary Russia
• Business Geography of Russia
• Legal aspect of doing business in Russia
• Man-made factors of doing business in Russia
• Russian financial system 

Module 2. Russia in The World Economy (with exam option 3 ECTS credits)

• The course discusses and analyses the place Russia has in the global economy. The course is structured in the following way:
• Russian Integration into the World Economy
• Russia and international mobility of capital
• Russian participation in international economic organizations
• Russia and the EU
• Russia and the CIS 

Module 3. Business Operations in Russia and Russian Business Culture (with an exam option 3 ECTS credits)  

• What are the Western misconceptions about the Russian business environment?
• What is the right strategic consequence of preparation?
• What purposes your preparation serves and why do you need it?
• How to prepare?
• What information you need, where and how do you get it?
• How to choose within the different entry strategies for the Russian market?
• How to build your successful business strategy in Russia?
• Negotiating with Russians
• Being boss in Russia
• Knowing the mindset of the Russian consumers

Enterprise Forum meets you with Foreign and Russian businessmen that share their experience and provide you with interesting practical perspectives and analysis of how business in Russia is done.

Company Visit

In 2008 we plan to have company visits to:

Nokian Tyres - Finish company successfully developing tyres for Nordic conditions, owning factories in Nokia, Finland and in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, and expanding tyre chain all over the world.

Baltika Brewery - the biggest brewery in Russia and in Northern Europe that is owned by the Scandinavian Baltic Beverage Holding.

Procter&Gamble - As a result of P&G/Gillette merger the Company now has a third manufacturing site – ZAO Petersburg Products International producing disposable blades and razors.

        FAQ

How well the International Summer School in Russian Business would fit in my educational /professional profile?

The school will be a perfect supplement to your CV if you are:
a student in business and economics and that are somewhere in the third (or later) year of their undergraduate studies, coming close to a career lunch.
a professional (planning to work in Russia or who just started working in Russia) that is interested in obtaining expert level knowledge in Business in Russia.

Do I need prior experience in Russia, Russian language or Business in Russia?

The school is aimed for people who have no prior or little experience in Russia and Russian business and who do not speak Russian. However, as expert level knowledge are offered, people already familiar with some aspects of Russia are also very welcome.

What knowledge do I get in the summer school?

What distinguishes our program compared to other such programs is that we put the accent on the practical aspects of doing business in Russia. Therefore we do not have hours dedicated to Russian language, poetry and culture.

How do I apply?

It is as easy as possible. You just download, print out and fill the application form, add the required additional papers and together with your photo send it to us. Within 3 weeks either by phone, e-mail or fax you will receive a confirmation of your acceptance.

What do I do next?

After confirmation of your acceptance to the summer school you need to pay the invoice that we send you and send us by fax evidence that the money transfer took place. Note the serious 15% discount that you receive in case the payment has been made before April the 10th 2008.

And then?

Then you receive your invitation and based on it at the nearest to you Russian embassy you obtain a Russian visa. Please note that the Russian embassy usually requires for a period of approximately 3-4 weeks to handle your visa application.

Is somebody meeting me at Saint Petersburg Airport?

The arrival in Saint Petersburg is scheduled for Sunday July the 6th. On this date there will be a person at the airport awaiting the participants. Should your flight arrive earlier or later we will plan meeting in you separately.

Where are we going to live?

Your dormitory is located in Vasilii island that is approx. 15 minutes by underground to city�s center. It is quite clean and recently renovated. The dorm has in its proximity Internet club, fitness, cafeteria, supermarket�and, of course, the seaside.

Is it possible to come with an accompanying person?

As recent studies conclude, learning, love and fun are very closely interrelated. Therefore we strongly encourage bringing your girlfriend / boyfriend together with you. That costs additional money only for her / his accommodation. The costs for an accompanying person are 500 EUR and include:
issuing a letter of invitation (needed for obtaining Russian visa)
accommodation (double room in a dormitory)

What if I arrange on my own the accommodation in Saint Petersburg?

Then you will pay the basic fee minus 300 EUR for the accommodation.

Is there some form of certificate issued for the summer school participants?

The participants are given official certificate of the Saint Petersburg State University, Faculty of Economics for taking part in the program. A letter stating the courses each student passed, the grades, and ECTS credits assigned to each course supplements the certificate.

How much money do I bring to Saint Petersburg?

The natural answer will be the more the better - natural but not very useful. Depending on how active you plan to be - trips, museums, nightclubs etc. you may consider that the average daily expenses of yours will be within 15 euros per day (minimum).

Is it possible to stay longer after the summer school is over?

As most probably your visa will be for one month, you could stay for approximately 12 days after the summer school is over. Just inform us in advance.

What interesting places in Europe could be reached from Saint Petersburg?

Even as we think that you will have more than enough to see in Russia alone, Saint Petersburg offers plenty of interesting routes to neighboring countries. One is to go to Tallinn, the lovely capital of Estonia that is only one night away by train. Or you may wish to have the 6 hours train trip to Helsinki in Finland. Or you may plan to take a ferry trip to Stockholm in Sweden. There are plenty of choices that depend entirely on your taste, timetable and finances.

If this FAQ is not enough, is it possible to ask more questions?