Venue
Summer Institute on "Creation and Exploitation of Annotated Language Resources" | 30 July - 11 August 2001 | Romania
Iasi | Romania
Iasi
Registration and morning coffee breaks - Hall of the Lost Footfalls - University, Building A
Tutorials - "Mihai Eminescu" Conference Room - University, Building A
Work sessions and afternoon coffee breaks - Faculty of Computer Science - University, Building C
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Useful information
Museums, Theatres, Libraries, Radio, Tv, Newspapers
With its more than 200 monuments of art and architecture (both religious and laic), museums, memorial houses and parks, Iasi is a museum in itself, ranking among the most attractive tourists' sites of Romania. The usual museum visit hours are between 10:00 - 17:00//9:00 - 15:00, from Tuesday through Sunday.
The local mass media is represented by 5 newspapers, four TV stations (the national branch of TVR and two other private stations, ProTV - Iasi branch, Tele M and Europa Nova) and 6 radio stations. Between 1 September and 15 July, 6 - 10 shows are presented every week on the two stages of the "Vasile Alecsandri" National Theatre (except on Wednesdays); the programme is changed every two weeks. The same programme is valid for the "Moldova" Philharmonic Orchestra of Iasi. In the four main cinema theatres of the city, fans may watch the latest films which are changed every week.
Business Hours (Shops, Banks, Post Offices)
Most of the shops in Iasi are open between 8:30 and 18:00 hours. During weekends, shops are open on Saturdays, between 8:30 and 13:00 hours. There are some non-stop supermarkets, too.
In general, banks are open from 9.00 to 14.30 hours from Monday to Friday. Post offices open at 7.00 and close at 20.00 hours. The Central Post Office (Lapusneanu St.) is open between 8.00 and 12.00 hours on Saturdays as well.
Transportation System
Iasi has a good local transportation system, based on trams, buses and trolley buses. Romanian students can use season tickets (reduced prices). Foreign students have to buy normal tickets (1 ticket is valid for 2 travels and costs about 0.3 USD).
Arrival
Your place of arrival in Romania will be most likely the Otopeni International Airport near Bucharest. When you show your passport and visa to the immigration officers, you may be asked why you have come to Romania and also whether you have enough money to cover your costs of living plus a return ticket. You will avoid delays if you have all your papers handy: your passport and documents indicating your official acceptance by the university and your proof of financial support. Before you go through customs you can exchange money at a counter in the luggage-collecting hall. The exchange rate is almost as good as you will get anywhere. The equivalent of about 100 USD will be enough to cover any expenses during the first few days.
To proceed to Iasi, you can take a taxi/bus from the airport to the Railway Station (Gara de Nord) in Bucharest. Tickets are available at the ticket window there. A single second class ticket Bucharest - Iasi is about 20 USD. By train, it takes about 5 - 6 hrs. There are two flights a day except on Saturdays and Sundays between the Baneasa Airport of Bucharest (close to Otopeni International Airport) and Iasi. A plane ticket is about 50 USD.
Things To Bring Along
The Romanian climate is characterised by hot summers and cold winters. In winter there are many days with temperatures below freezing. You will need a warm winter coat and at least one woollen sweater. In summer, there will be fairly hot days (above 30o C) and you will want to wear summer clothes. In the spring and autumn months, temperatures will vary between 5o - 20o C during the day, so that a jacket over a shirt or T-shirt will be about right for most days. If possible, you should include these clothing items in your basic wardrobe. You can of course buy them here and you will find the prices much lower than in your own country.