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)