What Kazan is?

Kazan is a capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The city was founded in the XI century on the left bank of the Volga river. Now it has the population of more than 1,2 mln. people. Kazan is a large cultural, scientific and industrial centre of Russia. There are 27 universities and higher education institutions and about 100,000 students in Kazan city. There are 5 state theaters, including Opera and Ballet, Tatar and Russian Drama, Conservatory, etc.

Main industry branches of the Tatarstan Republic: oil production, chemical industry, truck- and automobile production.

Main industry branches of Kazan city: aircraft-building, helicopter-building, aircraft-engines-building, chemical industry (polythene and synthetic rubber production), precision machinery industry, optical mechanics industry.

How to get to Kazan
You can get from Moscow to Kazan both by plane (an hour flight from Moscow Domodedovo airport) and overnight train (from Kazansky railway station). Train is much cheaper. It is about 14 hour on the trip, but you will be sleeping in your compart-ment most of the time. There are many trains going from Moscow via Kazan. You can take any of them.

Accommodation
International students at Kazan State Technical University may live both in the students hotel or university arranged apartments and rooms. Student hotel provides accommodation for full-time students. Fees don't exceed 75 US$ a month. It includes a double room with all modern facilities. If desired, one may rent an apartment. Rents vary depending on location, size and facilities and may range from about 150 US$ a month (1 room apartment with a separate kitchen and all facilities) to about 250-300 US$ (2-3 rooms).

Medical & health services
There is a University hospital to provide you with free basic medical care cover. In serious cases University will help you to find a doctor or clinic for you. Foreign students will be entitled to obligatory medical insurance policies.

Clothing
Make sure that you take warm clothes if you are going to stay between November and April this is how long winter may last. But swimming season starts in May or sometimes early June. You will enjoy marvellous Indian summer in September.