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The University of Michigan Armenian Studies Program
Armenian Summer Institute in Yerevan
Offering Introductory Courses in Classical, Eastern and Western Armenian
And a New Course in Armenian History
So you have been accepted to the Armenian Summer Language Program, now what? The following is a guide to information that you will need before you leave for the program and helpful hints of what to expect when you arrive.
| UM Travel Requirements Flight Information Money Issues Medical Information |
Diet Packing Dress Correspondence |
NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS: PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS
As a foreign visitor in Armenia, you will be subject to laws of the Republic of Armenia; your American citizenship gives you no special legal privileges or exemptions. Upon arrival in Armenia, you will be expected to comply fully with the rules that are set by the Director of the Summer Language Program, Dr. Kevork Bardakjian. There will be a curfew and a number of rules and restrictions governing the daily routine and if needed, discipline. Such matters will be discussed during the initial orientation session, though there might be some additional guidelines that will be dictated by the actual situation in Yerevan, Armenia.
Due to the fact that the University of Michigan is responsible for the Health and Safety of the students during the time in Armenia, independent travel is not allowed.
NOTE: If a student does not follow these instructions or has behavioral issues while in Armenia, Dr. Kevork Bardakjian has the right to terminate the participation of the student in the program. If this does occur, the student or the student’s parents MUST pay for the cost of the return flight home. The Armenian Studies Program (ASP), the International Institute, the University of Michigan, and Dr. Kevork Bardakjian will not be responsible for the cost of this flight nor for other costs incurred during the time getting home (such as hotel and food costs.)
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
University of Michigan of students only
The International Institute would like to make you aware of the U-M International Travel Oversight Committee and the U-M International Travel Registration web site. U of M students planning international travel, including those in the Armenian Summer Language Program, should consult the U-M International Travel Oversight Committee web site for links to information resources on international travel and the U-M International Travel Registration Web Site, found at: www.umich.edu/itoc/
All U of M students traveling outside the United States on University-related activities are required to provide emergency contact information through this on-line registry. You must complete this registration information.
We also recommend the Off-Campus Travel Handbook For Faculty, Staff and Students as a valuable resource for international travelers. This book is available on the web at: www.umich.edu/~benefits/events/travel/index.htm
You can receive a handbook in hard copy from the Benefits Office at (734) 615-2000 or requesting a copy via email at: benefits.office@umich.edu.
LUGGAGE: Please check with your individual carriers to see what restrictions they have regarding luggage. Be sure to tell your ticket agent that you are booked straight through to Yerevan, Armenia and you should be able to check your luggage for the entire trip.
DEPARTING ARMENIA: According to the Armenian law, passengers are required to pay a fee when departing Armenia. The cost is 10,000 Armenian Drams, which is about equal to $20.00 American dollars. This is paid at the airport and is not included in the cost of your airline ticket. This fee must be paid in Armenian funds. Please keep this in mind so that you have the money available on the departure day.
While in Armenia you CANNOT use:
- Personal Checks
- Traveler’s Checks
- Credit Cards
Cash is the only acceptable method of payment used in Armenia. We suggest that you try to bring new bills as you might get a better exchange rate for them. In addition, some of your money should be in smaller denominations such as 20’s. There are a few ATM’s in Armenia but it would be better to bring cash.
FOOD RELATED COSTS
Individual items:
Ice cream cone 10 - 15 cents
Candy bars 35 - 50 cents
Tea (Indian, 100 grams) $1.10
Coffee (Nescafe, 100 grams) $2.50
Coffee (Oriental, 100 grams) 55 cents
Sugar (1 kg) 55 cents
Cheese (1 kg) $4.00 - $6.25
Butter (1 kg) $2.15 - $3.20
Yogurt (with fruit, 125 grams) 60 - 75 cents
Sour cream 35 - 50 cents
Fresh milk (1 liter) $1.65
Condensed milk (Nestle) $1.05 - $1.25
Dry Cereal $2.50 - $5.00
Chips 80 cents
Tuna 80 - $1.00
Instant lunch, with noodles 85 cents
It is important for you to know that you should bring a two-month supply of any medical supplies or medicines you will need during your stay in Armenia. The medicines that you use may not be readily available in Armenia. Please see recommended packing list below for commonly used medicines.
The Armenians are heavy meat eaters. They eat pork, beef, chicken, lamb and a little fish. Fresh vegetables and fruit are in plentiful supply during the summer, but tofu, soy, etc. are not available at any time of the year. Every effort will be made to make vegetarian foods available to those who request it.
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING WITH YOU TO ARMENIA:
3 x 5” index cards, flash cards or word memorization cards to use while studying (Expensive and hard to find in Armenia)
Adaptor for Europe (plugs and transformers for European current – the round Prongs)
Address book
Alarm clock
Aspirin or Tylenol
Bandages/first aid cream or antiseptic
Books/Paperbacks (perhaps you won’t mind leaving some behind!)
Bottle opener
Camera, an extra battery and plenty of film
CD Player and CD’s (or, tape player and tapes)
Chap stick/Lip balm (several in case you lose them!)
Clothes line rope
Condensed laundry detergent (try “ Camp Suds”, Woolite, etc.) for cold water washing
Contact lens solution
Cosmetics
Cotton balls and swabs
Daypack or bag
Dental Floss
Dictionaries (English/Armenian-Armenian/English)
Dish detergent
Drain stopper, flat
Dresses or skirts (worn at knee length)
Feminine hygiene products
Flashlight with extra batteries
Hair Dryer
Hat to block the sun
Imodium (AD)
Jackets with a tie for the men
Laundry bag
Light weight raincoat or jacket
Magazines (any with glossy pictures make great gifts)
Maalox
Medications
Nylons
Pants (Jeans, khaki or chinos)
Pajamas
Peanut butter (if you’ll miss it)
Pens, pencils and pencil sharpener
Pepto-Bismol
Personal soaps
Pillowcases
Plastic coat hangers
Plastic water bottle (1 and 2 quart bottles are a good size)
Pocketknife
Pre-sweetened drinks or instant coffee, tea bags, and soup (available but expensive)
Razor blades
Refrigerator magnets
Rubber thongs (“flip-flops”) or slippers (the floors get dusty)
Shampoo and conditioner
Shaving supplies
Shirts or blouses
Shoes: dress and casual (comfort is key here)
Shorts (Do NOT bring “short-shorts” Shorts should be just above knee-legnth)
Snack food (oat bars, candy, munchies, etc.)
Socks
Spot remover
Sunscreen (at least 30spf)
Tissues
Toilet paper
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Towels (they are available but are small and scratchy)
Tupperware – just a few dishes for storage
Umbrella
Underwear
United States postage stamps (new Armenian friends may ask you to mail letters to friends and family in the states)
Wash and Dry Towelettes
Water purification tablets (you should be able to get these at a camping stores like REI, LL Bean, Travel stores, etc.)
Writing paper or notepads that are 3- hole punched (Hard to find and expensive in Armenia)
Ziplock baggies (great for storing odds and ends)
THESE ITEMS WILL NEED TO BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE:
Clothes line rope
Pocketknife
Razor blades
Tweezers
Any other items of a security concern
CLOTHING NEEDS:
How much clothing you bring will depend on how often you want to do your laundry (see next section). It is a good idea to bring clothes that coordinate with many pieces of clothing and that can be layered, if needed. Be sure to bring one or two dress outfits for formal occasions.
You will have the option to have it done for you, either by the individuals who clean the dorm, or there are two laundromats not far from the dormitory where you will be able to do it yourself (this option will cost you about $6.00 or $7.00 a week.)
Don’t forget to bring along some small, inexpensive “typically” American gifts for friends you meet during your stay. Some suggestions are:
Postcards
Stuffed Animals
Shot glasses
Ty Beanie Babies
Photo Frames
Nylons
Books
Match Box Cars
Markers
CDs
T-shirts
Lego’s
Soaps
Candy
Sachets
Make-up
Calendars
Packages of gum
Crayons
Small toys for children in the villages
Yerevan is now a bustling, capitalistic city. Most Armenians are stylish and more formal in their dressing habits than Americans. Please bring at least one set of “dress-up” clothes to wear out on the town (that is, to concerts, theaters churches, etc.) For class and some outings, bring loose, comfortable clothes.
MAIL:
Mail takes about two weeks to arrive in Armenia (from the United States.)
INTERNET / E-MAIL:
Once everyone is settled in Yerevan, Dr. Bardakjian will purchase an e-mail account for the entire group, which everyone will be able to share – keep in mind that this will be for moderate use. You will get this e-mail address once you are in Armenia.
There are several Internet cafés in Yerevan and you will be charged according to the amount of time you use the Internet access. These café’s are open 24/7 and are very close to Yerevan State University. However, please establish an e-mail account BEFORE leaving the States or Canada with Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL, or MSN.
International Institute