Flights 

•  The HC Study Abroad Office recommends purchasing airline tickets that permit a “change of date” that is a non-stop flight that offers, at best, free cancellation or a credit to be used at a later date. Purchase tickets directly from the airline rather than a third-party vendor (like Expedia or Travelocity). Holy Cross Travel Credit will appear on your HC tuition bill. 

• See the "Finances & Immigration" section of this website for information about the HC Travel Credit

 As indicated in the Study Abroad Acknowledgement and Release Form, Holy Cross is not responsible for travel expenses, including but not limited to airline tickets and transportation to and from airports, which result from program suspension or termination, schedule changes, flight changes, emergency evacuation, or any other exigency.  Such expenses are the sole responsibility of the student.

Students should plan to arrive at least one day before their course begins, since lessons usually start at 9 am.

 As a rule, students land at Riga International Airport (RIX). We recommend going from the airport to Riga Central Railway Station or Riga Central Coach Station. This trip takes about 20-30 minutes by bus route 22 or by taxi.

 Comfortable trains and buses regularly run to Daugavpils, and the ride takes 3 to 4 hours. Please check out the train schedule and the bus schedule. On-site staff meet students in Daugavpils and take them to their accommodations.

Welcome kit
Upon meeting Learn Russian in the EU representatives, each student receives a welcome kit on arrival including:

• a set of stationery;

• A4 notebook for making notes;

• “Student Handbook” and “Tour Descriptions” documents.

Train schedule

Bus schedule

Latvia is a member state of the Schengen Area. This gives 90 days of visa-free stay and study in Latvia for citizens of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and many other countries.

While studying Russian in Daugavpils, Learn Russian in the EU students can travel to any other Schengen member country without passport control or any other type of border control. Just buy tickets and go.

Thanks to a bilateral visa waiver agreement, citizens of the USA can stay in Latvia for an additional 90 days (or 180 days total) visa-free.

 In case an academic year/semester study abroad program’s duration exceeds 90 days, Learn Russian in the EU does the paperwork for obtaining a long-term visa. A long-term visa is also useful in case a student wants to travel outside of the Schengen Area since the visa guarantees re-entry into Latvia.

 This process does not require the student to leave Latvia. All expenses are included in the AY/semester study abroad program fee.

 Please find comprehensive details at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ web page.