Set your calendar now for the Honors College Study Abroad/Study Away pitch party, September 9 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rockwell Pavilion, on the second floor of the library. To find the party, go up the spiral stairs in front of the Honors College and continue straight ahead.

We'll have a table for the Russia trip, and there will be tables for other Honors College and University of Houston trips. You'll also be able to meet folks from various related offices and organizations around campus, including the Office of Learning Abroad and the Passport for Coogs program. Learn how to apply for scholarships for the trip and how to get reimbursed for your passport fee. You can even apply for a passport without leaving campus!

You'll get a novelty passport and be able to collect stamps from the various tables. It will be a lot of fun. Hope to see you there, and bring a friend!

We're now on the Honors College study abroad page, where you can find information about our trip to Russia and the other travel opportunities this year.

And stay tuned to this blog for updates and information. I'm excited to meet several hundred incoming freshmen tomorrow at Honors Retreat. I hope some of you will join us in Russia!

If you're interested, there is a form on this page, or you can email me or David with questions. We'll be able to start collecting deposits in September.

Things are falling into place quickly as the beginning of the semester approaches. We'll have an official flyer in a few days, but here's what I can tell you now (subject to finalization but it's fairly firm already). The cost of our tour, including round trip airfare from Houston, accommodations, tips, entry fees, meals (except one dinner), ground transportation, visa support and registration, etc. (see my previous post on what's included) is $3,450.

​You will be able to secure a spot in early September with a deposit of $450. Then there will be a series of roughly equal monthly installments between then and the beginning of March, when you will need to be all paid up. Of course, you can pay earlier if you like. I'll have more information soon regarding the refundability schedule and the other fine print.

​If you want to get on my list ​now​, I'll make sure you get a chance to put down your deposit first-come, first-served once we get into September. We haven't run the trip to Russia before, and we are hoping the spots go quickly! Just send me an email at jjrainbow@uh.edu or use the form on this page.

​One more thing...

​Don't forget to apply for IEFS scholarships, use travel funds you may have received with your scholarship package, and apply for outside funds. There may be additional scholarships for Honors College students, depending on availability of funds and individual eligibility.

Russia 2017: Moscow and St. Petersburg
May 15–25, 2017

Our trip includes:

• Round trip airfare from Houston
• Accommodations in centrally located mini-hotels (boutique, tourist class)
• Double occupancy
• Visa support, processing, and registration
• Bus and train transportation, guides, and entrance tickets
• All meals, with the exception of one dinner set aside for individual exploration

Places we will visit include:

• The Kremlin, Armory and Grounds
• Red Square
• St. Basil's Cathedral
• Lenin's Mausoleum
• Christ the Savior Cathedral
• Walking tour of central Moscow
• Day trip to Sergeiv Posad
• Overnight train to St. Petersburg (kupe cabins)
• Walking tour of St. Petersburg
• St. Isaac's Cathedral and Colonnade
• Peter and Paul Fortress
• Peterhof
• Siege Memorial Museum
• Day trip to Novgorod
• The Hermitage
• Canal boat ride in St. Petersburg

Use the interest form on this page or email me at jjrainbow@uh.edu to reserve a spot. We will begin collecting deposits in September.