Vitaitje v Bratislave!

On behalf of Ms. Bartiskova, Ms. Daucikova I welcome you in the school and in Bratislava. Bratislava has so much to offer that I am sure you will have a great time here. My job is to welcome you all here and make sure you get to know each other and the city. Since studying is not only about hard work struggling to become the greatest artist of them all, I am happy to show you around the fun parts of the city.

Psychologist predict the following moodswing for you during your stay. So be prepared for the worst but especially for the best!

WELCOME DAY FEBR 27, 2008

For all the students for this coming SUMMER semester:
the welcome day is 27th February. You are expected to be at Hviesdoslavovo Namestie (downtown building) in room H18 at 10:00 (morning)

This means you don't have to arrive earlyer, you can already visit ms. Bartiskova (also down town) and get some paperwork done. And of course, when you arrive you can stay in the school's dormitory in Svoradova Ulica (bus 207/208/203)

At the welcome day we will discuss your schoolprogrammes, places, times, choosing of a studio (more about this below)

also: check www.isnslovakia.blogspot.com for more info on students activities or
see my blog www.illahmaria.blogspot.com for images about slovakia

CHOOSING a STUDIO

One of the most important decisions you will have to make here is which studio you want to study in. The system is like this: Every department has a few different main teachers. These teachers have their own studio where they teach their own specialty. If you sign up for a studio, you spend two whole days in the studio and make the most important assignments there. So if you choose, you better choose right. From the website it is hard to get an idea on how the studio's differ from each other and I know from experience, that the only way to choose right is to meet the people.

So don't worry about this while you are still home: In your first week here, there will be an information day at the downtown location of the school in Hviesdoslavovo Namestie. Then you can start thinking about your scedule, which subjects you want to choose. Also, there will be students of different departments guiding you around and introducing you to the teachers. If you are earlyer in Bratislava, you can always contact me and I can lead you in the right direction before!

Impressions of the schoolbuilding

SLOVAK LESSONS

When you come to Bratislava you will find it difficult to find english speaking people. Especially communication with shopholders, doormen in the school, etcetera. It really helps to just understand some basics, and be able to communicate things like numbers and simple questions and answers.

I can arrange lessons in groups of 5/6 people with an experienced and official teacher. The idea is twice a week in the school during in the first weeks of your stay. You can apply for this in october when you arrive.

The price per lesson will be 200 sk (approx 4,50 euro), to be paid in advance for ten lessons.

Transport information

To help you going: here are the websites of the railway companies:
http://www.zsr.sk/ (does not always work)
or www.slovakrail.sk
for Austria, try www.oebb.at

SKI and SNOWBOARD

Centre of Kremnica in the snow

Lovers of snow and action will love the winter here. Slovakia's mountains are absolutely stunning. If you want to ski you don't have to go far:

- One of the options is to go to Austria. There is a direct train that will take you in 1,5 hours to Semmering, past Vienna. The slopes are excellent, but it is quite expensive: a day pass will cost you 28 euro.

- another option is in Slovakia itself. This will take you more time to get there, but will be a more friendly and cheeper experience. (about half the price as Austria) If you have time to explore the country, it is a great way to see some of the Low Tatra's or the Kremnica/Banska Bystrica regon. www.ski.sk will get you going.

BARS and NIGHTLIFE

Discover the places where the Academy students (and people from the Theatre school) hang out:

- Café VERNE, under the academy on Hviesdoslavo is popular with students. It is laydback and plays good music. Prices are reasonable and the food pretty good (try the chicken salad or the pasta's!)

- In the same catechory, try CAFÉ KÚT, I believe on Frantiskanska. With a second hand music store and under this is a great relaxed restaurant with a good slovak kitchen.


- After dark, when the bars close at 11.00, the SUBCLUB is one of the cool places to go out. Based in a former bombshelter under the castle even the location only is worth a visit. www.subclub.sk (walk by the busstation under the new bridge towards the castle by the higway)

- For great national and international music concerts: www.babylonclub.sk

Galleries in Bratislava

One of the best things about the cultural life in Bratislava is the amount of small galleries, including the one excellent of the school on Hviesdoslavovo Namestie, Galeria Medium. On this website I will keep you posted on the many openings, called VERNISSAGES here. Going to openings is a great way to get to know people within and outside of the school. Many people visit them, because as we all know, drinks are for free on openings. And free drinks lead to fun and many times this leads to small parties afterwards. With other words: don't miss them!

During your stay I will try to organise a few Gallery tours to introduce you to new artists and places

Some interesting galleries:

www.vsvu.sk/medium/galeria.htm
This is the gallery of the academy.
www.galeriahit.com
this one is behind the academy, the underground version of galeria medium
www.gallery.sk
a very beautiful gallery in a cellar in Michalsky Dvor, on Michalska 3

HOUSING

This is important information for everybody who needs housing in Bratislava during their stay. The school can provide a shared room for you in the Dormitory of the school down town Bratislava. It is not expensive, but don't expect anything from it, since nothing has changed since the eighties. Rooms are really small, there are no TV's or fridges, bathroom and toilet are unisex... But, if you can deal with all this, it will be a great experience to get to know people really well and enjoy student life to the max.


"Imagine that for 3 months you don't need a kitchen, a fridge, space to walk in your room. It is possible, you survive! And you can even enjoy.."

- Iza Logonowics, Poland -





a room for two people

unisex toilets

Students advise you to pack for Svoradova Dormitory:

Single size sheets (not there)
Cutlery (plate, cup, etc)
Robe ( unisex bathrooms and showers)
Flip-flops (shower gets dirty)
Entertainment (cards, games,)
Laptop (if you have, BRING!!!!! computer acces at the school is small and there is no TV in dorm, you can watch dvd's)
GOOD SHOES (walking up the hills, snow!)





the kitchen (for the whole hall, no fridge,
or place to stall anything)