If, when you arrive in Russia, you are not happy with your accommodation, please discuss it with the centre or with the RLUS representative. If the problem cannot be resolved, you may ask to move. Dr Bivon will always be ready to help, if the problem cannot be resolved by the above means. However, please note that RLUS cannot work miracles. The final decision about accommodation rests with each centre.
Please note the following:
1) In Moscow arrangements have been made for students to have access to the kitchen to cook an evening meal. Elsewhere, most homestays will not allow you to cook for yourself. If an evening meal is not included in the rent, most homestays will provide one for an extra charge.
2) In Moscow and St Petersburg there is no guarantee that your accommodation will be near the city centre,as accommodation in or near the centre normally costs much more than students are able to pay.
3) It may be possible in some homestays for you to set up wifi for your laptop. However, this is not always possibility and cannot be guaranteed. It is now normally possible to purchase a dongle for your laptop and in this way gain access to the internet.
It is very important that you put any special accommodation requests that you have on the accommodation form. This will be passed on to the centre and they will try to find suitable accommodation.
There is further information about what to expect in homestay accommodation in the Homestay Information document.
Please note that if there is no problem with your accommodation and you wish to move out of the accommodation provided by the centre, it is normal practice to give one month’s notice in writing or pay a month’s rent in lieu of notice.
If you have booked accommodation, when you apply for your course and then decide to cancel or change it, you must do so at least one month before arrival. If you cancel or request a change less than a month before the course starts, you will be liable to pay a £50 cancellation fee. If you wish to change the type of accommodation, there is no guarantee that your chosen accommodation will be available.