{"id":4,"date":"2024-04-04T08:43:53","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T05:43:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/microsatellites2023\/practical-info\/"},"modified":"2024-04-04T08:44:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T05:44:11","slug":"practical-info","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/microsatellites2023\/practical-info\/","title":{"rendered":"PRACTICAL INFO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tAccess<\/strong>
Please see the\u00a0Venue & Access<\/a>\u00a0page for details.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAccommodation<\/strong>
Please see the\u00a0Venue & Access<\/a>\u00a0page for details.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAllergies<\/strong>
During the summer school it will be summer, although pollen seasons of different plants arrive later in Estonia than in Central Europe, at that time of the year pollen concentrations are low or very low. If you have a pollen allergy, check with your doctor about possible medication during your trip to Estonia. Real time\u00a0pollen\u00a0concentrations can be found here<\/a>\u00a0(Estonian only).\u00a0If you have any food allergies, please inform the local organisers (mentioning it on the registration form will do).\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tBanks<\/strong>
Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday 09.00(10:00)-17:00.. Most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. There are several bank branches in Tartu. A Luminor office is very close to Dorpat hotel (Kaluri 2), Swedbank office is at Turu street 1, SEB office at \u00dclikooli 2 (intersection to Vanemuise street) and LHV Bank next to a SEB bank. A cash machine is located at the main bus station and\u00a0at the shopping centers. They are frequent in downtown but harder to get by in the outer parts.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tClimate<\/strong>
The climate in Estonia is like the one in Scandinavia, but slightly more continental, characterised by warm summers and fairly severe winters. The weather is often breezy and humid (average humidity in August 76 %) due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea. The average overall temperature in August is 16 degrees centigrade, the average max temperature being 23 degrees C and the minimum 12 degrees C. Precipitation in August amounts to around 100 mm, with 14 wet days on the average. Bring your umbrella and a light raincoat in case of occasional showers and something warm for chilly nights.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCrime<\/strong>
Tartu is a very safe place. The most common problems to hit foreigners are pickpocketing and car break-ins. Also hoards of drunk\u00a0people\u00a0 (often tourists) can be annoying, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to report a crime, contact the local police station. In Tartu it is located at Riia 132, phone :+372 612 3000. Reception hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00 For emergencies call 112. The non-emergency local number for the Estonian police is (+ 372) 612-3000. Although many operators speak English, at times those answering this line may have minimal English speaking skills.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDangers and annoyances<\/strong>
We do not plan any extreme activities, so people should be safe if they take care. Participants will take part in all activities of the course at their own risk and the organisers do not have any liability for accidents or illnesses affecting any attendee(s) due to course activities.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDress code<\/strong>
There is definitely no dress code at the summer course.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDrinks<\/strong>
Estonians are fond of beer, A Le Coq and Saku are two of the leading brands. Also craft beer is widely available in shops and bars. There is no significant amount of grape wine grown in Estonia, but fruit wines (apple, pear) and, increasingly, ciders, are often on restaurant\u2019s menues. A traditional sweet herb liquor is Vana Tallinn (very dangerous, since it does not taste strong, but is). The bread beer \u201cKali\u201d also remains popular, as well as vodka (Viru Valge). For soft drinks try the Saaremaa mineral water or some local organic fruit juices (apple, pear)\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDriving in Estonia<\/strong>
Driving in Estonia is done on the right-hand side of the road. Many rules on driving resemble those in the Nordic Countries. For example, car headlights must be lit at all times (even during the day and the Nordic twilight). EU and EEA driving licences are OK, if yours is issued by another state check before. Seat belts in front and rear are mandatory, as are infant and child seats. Speed limits in urban areas 50 km\/h, highways 90 km\/h, dual carriageways 110 or 120 km\/h. Drivers who have had their licence for less than two years must keep below 90 km\/h. Your vehicle must carry a warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and wheel chocks. Most petrol stations are self-service and are open 24\/7. Petrol service stations in Estonia are generally open from 8 am to 8 pm with big stations in major cities and on the motorways open 24 hours. Credit cards are accepted at most petrol stations. Elmo.ee<\/a> rents out electric cars on need-only basis, so you pay for the time you use the car.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDO NOT drink even minute amount of alcohol before and during driving. The legal limit of alcohol in the blood is zero and drink-driving is punished by heavy fines and\/or imprisonment.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tParking is a problem in Estonia, but Tartu is still a bit less crowded still. Illegally parked cars will be fined.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tEmergency<\/strong>
112 is the general emergency line throughout the European Union (similar to 911 in the U.S.) The number can be dialed from any phone, and the call is free.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tFood<\/strong>
Estonian cuisine shows influences from Germany (from the Hanseatic times), Sweden, Russia and other countries, although there is a distinct Estonian cuisine. Popular starters are selections of sausages, meats and potato salad. Sour cream is widely used. Other appetizers are rosolje (bettroot, meat and herring), r\u00e4im (Baltic herring) and pirukad (pastries with different fillings). Soups (bean soup, cabbage cream soup, fish soups) are often eaten after the starter.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPork in many forms (with sauerkraut and potatoes) is a very common main course, often with a rich gravy. Popular dessert are kama (mixture of roasted barley, rye and oat flour served with milk or kefir), and kissel (a fruit soup).\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tRye bread is served with almost every meal. It is common that Estonians instead of wishing \u201cbon appetit\u201d, say\u00a0\u201cj\u00e4tku leiba\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(\u201cMay the bread last\u201d).\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tImmigration<\/strong>
Estonia is an associate member of the Schengen agreement which exempts travelers from regular personal border controls between most European Union (EU) countries: (Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, and three European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Switzerland, Norway and Iceland). People coming from\u00a0Great Britain and Ireland are subject to personal border controls upon entry to the Schengen area. Border controls can, however be imposed on travellers from all states.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tA list of countries whose citizens DO NOT need a visa to visit Estonia can be found\u00a0here<\/a>. If you need a visa, please start the paperwork AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Not only can handling times be long, but it might be difficult to find the embassy responsible for citizens of your nationality and location. In many cases, Estonian embassies do not hold consular offices and the visa applications are handled by embassies of other countries. This can delay procedures\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tInternet<\/strong>
It can be said that Estonians are a bit of IT freaks. The Soviet Institute for Cybernetics was located in Tallinn and Skype was invented in Estonia. Free Wifi is available in even the most rural areas (although it can be congested and thus slow in cities). Also Hotel Dorpat and the hostel offer free wireless connections.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tLaundry facilities<\/strong>
It is best to use the laundrerette at Raatuse Hostel, Raatuse 22.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tMeals<\/strong>
Lunches (lecture days) are served in the\u00a0Restoran Aparaat<\/a>. With lunches table water is served for free. Restoran Aparaat is located at Kastani 42 close to the lecture room. For people at Hotel Dorpat breakfast is included. Dinners are included on August 27th<\/sup> and\u00a0during the excursion to Ice Age centre and Lake Peipsi\u00a0(August, 29th<\/sup>).\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tMedical Services<\/strong>
In case of emergency, call 112 (general emergency). The medical service is quite good (better than its reputation with many Estonians). Pharmacies (Aapteek) are widespread in Estonia. There are several in central Tartu. One is located in the \u201cKaubamaja shopping center ar Riia 1. Duty pharmacy (24\/7) can be found\u00a0at\u00a0the Town Hall (Raekoja) building.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tMoney<\/strong>
Estonia has the Euro\u00a0since 2011. Notes of the old Estonian \u201ckroon\u201d currency are no longer accepted as payment.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPosters<\/strong>
The poster session will be held on Friday, 24th\u00a0of August 2023. DIN A0 in\u00a0portrait<\/strong>\u00a0format should be OK. Participants will be allowed a 4 minutes presentation for their posters (no discussion). The presentation will take place in the lecture room at the Estonian Biocentre at Tartu University, Riia 26b. Powerpoint slides can be used. For a smooth run of these poster talks, they are asked to bring their talks on a memory stick. Posters can be printed at\u00a0Kaanoni Koopiakeskus<\/a>, W.Struve 3. On-line submisssions of posters for printing is possible. The organisers cannot give any guarantee for timely printimg of posters. Early submissions of postersto print out is encouraged.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPost office<\/strong>
The closest one is \u201cKvartali\u201d at Riia 2. It opens from 09.00 to 19.00 hours on weekdays, and 09.00 \u2013 15.00 on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPublic transport in Tartu<\/strong>
There is a good public transport in Tartu, but, due to the short distances there normally is no need for attendes to use it.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPublic holidays<\/strong>
There are no official public holidays during the course.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tRegistration<\/strong>
Registration will be at the lobby of Hotel Dorpat on \u00a0August 23rd<\/sup>, 2024 from 14:00 to 19:00 and from 09:00 to 09:30\u00a0on August 24th<\/sup>, 2024\u00a0at the Estonian Biocenter. Later arriving lecturers can get their material in the lecture room during coffee breaks.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tSightseeing<\/strong>
Tartu is the European Cultural Capital<\/a> of 2024\u00a0\u00a0very nice town with lots of\u00a0 activities and interesting sights. Since we do not have a lot of time during the course you should plan some extra time before and after the course. Highlight include\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n