FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Robson Marinho, PhD
ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT! At this point you should have everything ready for your unforgettable adventure! This is an extra newsletter with final information, so please check the most recent news!
Study Tour Check List
This is a tentative check list of the main items you should have ready at this point for the Study Tour. It doesn’t mean to be a complete list, but it is a reminder of the main issues. If you are missing any of those items, please rush to get it done:
- Russian visa ready
- Belarus visa ready or two photos to get the visa at the border
- Registration for LEAD778 or LEAD678 ready
- Financial clearance ready (Required by Andrews Financial services before the trip)
- Tour T-shirt selected
- Textbooks purchased and working on reading assignments
- Air tickets to Chicago issued (for those who live far from Michigan)
- Assumption of Risk Agreement form sent to rozenia@andrews.edu
- Packing list planned
- Bring your personal health insurance card
- DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT!
- Other
Thanks to all participants who already registered for the Tour. Just in case someone did not register yet, you need to do that immediately as follows:
- Doctoral participants: LEAD778 Higher Education Study Tour (5 credits)
- Master participants: LEAD678 Higher Education Study Tour (5 credits)
After registration, you need financial clearance and FULL PAYMENT or financial aid arrangements prior to the trip. Please make arrangements with: Vicki Thompson (vlt@andrews.edu) at the Andrews Financial Services (269-471-6995).
Meeting at Chicago Airport
Meeting at Chicago Airport
As announced before, we will fly on Thursday, May 31, at 4:45 pm, from the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. We will meet as a group at 1:00 pm for instructions, information and group check in. Here is the departure and meeting information:
- Departure from Andrews: Thursday, 10:00 am, from the Johnson Gym parking lot
- Airport Meeting: 1:00 pm, at the Lufthansa check-in area
- Airline: Lufthansa
- Date and Time: Thursday, May 31, Chicago O'Hare at 4:45 pm
- Flight Number: LH 497
- Destination: Copenhagen, with one stop in Munich
- Return flight: Lufthansa flight # 436, arriving in Chicago on Sunday, June 17 at 2:05 pm
Baggage Allowance
It is time to plan your luggage. Our tour bus in Europe is planned for one bag per person plus one carry on. Each bag should weight no more than 50 pounds. Please try to plan your luggage accordingly.
Ride to Chicago Airport
For the on-campus and nearby participants, we will have a bus leaving from the Johnson Gym parking lot on Thursday, May 31, at 10:00 am, to the O’Hare airport. If you are a nearby participant and plan on riding, please check the list below, and if your name is not on the list, please let us know immediately, since seats are limited:
1. Amilah Jamieson
2. Ndalahwa Masanja
3. Renaude Saint-Phard
4. Jeanne Katia Lopes
5. Chantal Joanis
6. Winston Crawford
7. Rozenia Marinho
8. Robson Marinho
Hotel Features and Amenities
Our hotels have a wide range of amenities and facilities. According to the travel agent, you can count on the following features and services:
- Power voltage – 220V
- Electricity outlets – Different outlets in different countries. The travel agent recommends a plug adaptor kit.
- Internet access – Available at a charge, so you may want to bring your laptop if you want to stay connected.
- Laundry services – Available at a charge
- Hair dryer included
- Electric Iron – Usually available at the front desk on most hotels. However, some people prefer bringing their own. It is up to you.
- Swimming pool available
Other Helpful Information
- Calling cards – It is much cheaper to make phone call with local calling cards.
- Cell phone – In case you want to use your cell phone, make sure to set up an international plan and check the rates with your provider (usually expensive).
- ATM available – Cash machines should be available at most cities, and it is a safe way to cash money. Most banks charge a transaction fee of 1% to 3%, or more, so make sure to check with your bank.
- International credit cards – Very practical and safe way of spending money. Also subject to transaction fees, so check with your bank. Also make sure to inform your bank that you will use your card internationally, otherwise they may block it for security reasons.
- Frequent flyer number: Everybody is eligible to win around 15,000 reward miles in this trip, which counts towards free travel in the future. If you don’t have a frequent flyer plan, I recommend that you enroll with United Airlines (partner of Lufthansa), and bring your account number to the check-in. Just follow the instructions on the following link: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/account/enroll.aspx?SID=E0838605A9424A67BAAE9BA8946D588C
- Tour guides tips: Attention Please – It is usual in the tour industry to give tips to the tour guides in every city. I asked our tour operator, and she said that the recommendation is $10.00 per person per day. She said that they will not force anybody, but it is expected that we give according to our satisfaction with the guide. We will collect the tips every day, so please bring some cash and use your judgment and generosity as you feel comfortable.
Mandatory Travel Insurance
Besides your personal insurance card, Andrews University requires an additional short term travel insurance provided by Andrews University. We have ordered this travel insurance for everybody at the cost of $49.27 per person. Since this a personal documents, this insurance fee will be charged to your student account unless you advise otherwise. Guest participants please pay this fee during the tour to Rozenia Marinho.
Volunteer Support Team
We now have our volunteer support team who will be leading some special activities during our tour. They will need the help and support of everybody else as they lead us in making our trip more enjoyable. Everybody is part of the team, so your cooperation is welcome!
TASK | VOLUNTEER TEAM |
Photographer | Bill Colwell |
Blog Writer | Hilda Scott |
Tour Secretary | Rozenia Marinho |
Health Assistant | Shawn and Beverly Collins |
Spiritual Coordinator | Renaude Saint-Phard |
Roommates List
It is time to get familiar with our travel companions! Those who requested roommate preference have been assigned a roommate as requested. All other participants have been assigned a special colleague, because all our participants are very special persons! Please see the list below, and start enjoying your new friendship!
Roommates Names | Comments |
1. Amilah Jamieson 2. Jeanne Katia Lopes | |
3. Chantal Joanis 4. Rose Monroe | |
5. Sharese Swafford 6. Renaude Saint-Phard | |
7. Christiane Theiss 8. Hilda Scott | |
9. Bill Colwell 10. Cheolmin Jo | |
11. Ndalahwa Masanja 12. Timothy Privette | |
13. Shawn Collins 14. Beverly Collins, 15. Noah Collins 16. Kendall Collins | |
17. Winston Crawford 18. Luis Mancebo | |
19. José Iran Miguel 20. Rachel Miguel | |
21. Eliel Unglaub 22. Denise Unglaub | |
23. Robson Marinho 24. Rozenia Marinho |
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Thursday May 31 - DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Copenhagen. Departing at 4:45 pm (check-in at 1:00 pm).
Overnight flight to Copenhagen. Departing at 4:45 pm (check-in at 1:00 pm).
Day 2, Friday June 1 - ARRIVE COPENHAGEN (3 NIGHTS)Welcome to Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. After check-in Relax and unwind after check-in.
In the afternoon, visit University of Copenhagen.
Hotel Scandic Sydhavnen
Day 3, Saturday June 2 - COPENHAGEN
In the morning, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting. After lunch, take a stroll through the city! Later we will meet our Travel Director and other fellow travelers.
Day 4, Sunday, June 3 - COPENHAGEN SIGHTSEEING
Your expert Local Guide takes you on a morning sightseeing tour, which includes the Little Mermaid, the Renaissance Stock Exchange, Royal Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg Palace. Spend the rest of the day exploring the sights of your choice or shopping.
(Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Day 5, Monday, June 4 - COPENHAGEN - STOCKHOLM
Cross the Oresund into Sweden and travel north through lush forests and meadows bordering the shores of Lake Vättern. Continue northwards to Stockholm, Sweden’s beautiful capital surrounded by islands. (Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Hotel Scandic Kungen Kurva
Day 6, Tuesday, June 5 - STOCKHOLM - AT SEA
Admire Stockholm’s biggest landmarks this morning with your knowledgeable Local Guide, with views of the Royal Palace and City Hall. Built on a maze of islands accessible by bridges, Stockholm is an interesting city to wander through. Don’t miss the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere before embarking on your mini-cruise to Finland!
(Scandinavian buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7, Wednesday, June 6 - AT SEA - HELSINKI
Arrive early in Finland's capital for a sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. View Finlandia Hall, the Senate and market squares, sweeping boulevards and the beautiful domed Russian church.
Afternoon: Visit University of Helsinki. Subsequent class discussion.
(Scandinavian buffet breakfast & dinner)
Hotel Radisson Blu Espoo (Superior First Class)
Hotel Radisson Blu Espoo (Superior First Class)
Day 8, Thursday, June 7 - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (2 NIGHTS)
Follow the Finnish coast past the timber centre of Kotka, across the border into Russia and on through the town of Vyborg. Admire the scenery as you traverse the forests of Karelia, arriving later in St. Petersburg for a two-night stay. Enjoy complimentary drinks with dinner tonight! (Scandinavian buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Park Inn Pulkovskaya
Day 9, Friday, June 8 - ST. PETERSBURG SIGHTSEEING
The Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Statue of Peter the Great all feature on your guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Hermitage Museum at noon.
The Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Statue of Peter the Great all feature on your guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Hermitage Museum at noon.
Afternoon: Visit St. Petersburg State University – 3:00-5:00 pm. Subsequent class discussion.
7:00-8:00 pm – Cross-cultural worship and interaction meeting
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 10, Saturday, June 9 - ST. PETERSBURG
After breakfast, cross the vast Russian steppes to the ancient city of Novgorod where you view the Kremlin Fort, Millennium Monument and St. Sophia Cathedral. Dine tonight at your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel Park Inn Veliky
Day 11, Sunday, June 10 - MOSCOW (2 NIGHTS)
Your wonderful journey continues through picturesque villages to the Tver region where we will enjoy lunch. Then travel via Klin, the former home of Tchaikovsky, to the Russian capital, Moscow. (Buffet Breakfast & Lunch)
Hotel Holiday Inn Suchevsky
Day 12, Monday, June 11 - MOSCOW SIGHTSEEING
Moscow is a city full of wonderful buildings and monuments! Your knowledgeable Local Guide shows you an array of sights including Red Square, the Kremlin Walls and the domed St. Basil's Cathedral.
Moscow is a city full of wonderful buildings and monuments! Your knowledgeable Local Guide shows you an array of sights including Red Square, the Kremlin Walls and the domed St. Basil's Cathedral.
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Afternoon: Visit Moscow State University – 2-4 pm. Subsequent class discussion.
Day 13, Tuesday, June 12 - MOSCOW - MINSK
Drive past the region of Borodino, site of Napoleon's great defeat, and stop for lunch near Smolensk. Later, cross the border into Belarus and continue to Minsk. After the Second World War the city was rebuilt in supreme Soviet style, which you can see during your orientation tour: wide avenues give on to gargantuan concrete buildings. It’s another world! Dine tonight at your hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Hotel Jubileynaya (Superior Tourist)
Day 14, Wednesday, June 13 - MINSK - BREST - WARSAW (2 NIGHTS)
Traverse the huge plains of Belarus and stop for lunch at Brest on the Polish frontier. Afterwards, cross the River Vistula and arrive later in Warsaw, Poland’s capital. (Buffet Breakfast & Lunch)
Novotel Warsaw Centrum (First Class)
Day 15, Thursday, June 14 - WARSAW SIGHTSEEING
Your expert Local Guide shows you the site of the Warsaw Ghetto and the landmarks of Warsaw’s Old Town, which was almost entirely destroyed during the Second World War. Later, you might like to soak up the city’s culture and nightlife. (Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 16, Friday, June 15 - WARSAW - BERLIN (2 NIGHTS)
Travel west across the plains of central Poland and over the border into Germany, arriving later in the exciting city of Berlin! (Buffet Breakfast & Dinner)
Hotel Park Plaza Prenzlauerberg
Travel west across the plains of central Poland and over the border into Germany, arriving later in the exciting city of Berlin! (Buffet Breakfast & Dinner)
Hotel Park Plaza Prenzlauerberg
Day 17, Saturday, June 16 - BERLIN SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
From the Reichstag Building to the Tiergarten, Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard and the German State Opera House, your experienced Local Guide shows you all Berlin’s highlights this morning. Spend the rest of the day seeing the sights of your choice, or perhaps join an optional excursion exploring the city’s secret past.
In the afternoon, relax and enjoy our cross cultural worship and interaction meeting.
(Buffet Breakfast & dinner)
Day 18, Sunday, June 17 - BERLIN - USA
Say goodbye to your Travel Director and travelling companions at the end of your memorable Study Tour. Transfers to Berlin Tegel Airport (Buffet Breakfast).
