ABOUT THE CITY

Kragujevac (read cra-goo-ye-vatz) was founded in 1476. is the largest city of the Šumadija region and the administrative centre of Šumadija District. It is situated on the banks of the Lepenica River. The name of the town derived from Serbian word "kraguj", which is a name used for one sort of the bird (hunting hawk), thus the name means "the place of the kragujs"

Despite its late foundation (1476), Kragujevac is the city of many firsts. Being the first capital of modern Serbia (1818- 1839), the first constitution in the Balkans was proclaimed in this city in 1835. Further on, the first full- fledged university in the newly independent Serbia was founded in 1838, preceded by the first grammar school (Gimnazija), Printworks (both in 1833), professional National theatre (1835) and the Military academy (1837).

Belgrade took the lead by becoming the seat of throne in 1841, marking the beginning of Kragujevac's slow decline. The University of Kragujevac was not reestablished until 1976. Contemporary Kragujevac is known for its weapons, munitions and Zastava car factory, which produces the Yugo, Florida, Zastava 10 (Fiat Punto, by licence) , Opel Astra by GM licence and Skala automobiles. It is the fourth largest city in the country after Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš with the population of around 180,000

Serbian language is in the official use in both Latin and Cyrillic alphabet. Visitors from abroad can use English to communicate.

Kragujevac is in the Central European Time (CET) zone (GMT+1 hour). Summer time (GMT+2 hours) lasts from the end of March until the end of October.

The Serbian electricity network operates at 220 V~, and a frequency of 50 Hz.

The official currency is the dinar (RSD). 1 euro = 83 dinars

Money can be changed in banks or in little blue kiosks scattered all over the city with the word ``Menja?nica`` written in red letters on the kiosk.

1 Dinar = 100 Para. Coins: 50 Para, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 dinars

Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 and 5000 dinars

The Kragujevac area code for domestic calls is 034 and for international calls ++381-34.

When calling abroad from Kragujevac dial 00

Important phone numbers:

Police: 92

Fire service: 93

Medical emergency: 94

Help on the road: 987

Holidays-non working days:

January 1 & 2 - New Year

January 7 - first day of Orthodox Christmas

February 15 - Statehood Day of the Republic Serbia

May 1 & 2 - International Labor Day

Orthodox Easter - from Good Friday to the second day of Easter.

On non-working holidays only shops and institutions on duty are open.

Believers are entitled not to work on their religious holidays, depending on their religion.

Holidays but working days:

January 27 (St. Sava) - Spirituality Day

May 9 - Victory Day

June 28- St. Vitus Day

Mobile operators

064 MTS

063 TELENOR

Working hours

Banks and post offices:

- weekdays 08.00-19.00

- Saturdays 08.00-15.00

- Sundays, only 24-hour duty branches

Food stores:

- weekdays 06.30-20.00 (in some cases up to 21.00)

- Saturdays 06.30-18.00 (in some cases up to 21.00)

- Sundays closed (in some cases 07.00-13.00)

Markets

are open every day 06.00-17.00

Shops

in shopping malls are open 09.00-20.00

Department stores:

- weekdays from 08.00-20.00

- Saturdays 08.00-15.00

- Sundays closed

Kragujevac pharmacies

City TV stations

RTKG

Kanal 9

RTV IN

TV Lider

NeoMax

City Radio stations

Bravo radio

Bis Plus radio

Bis radio

Radio 9

Radio Hit

Radio Boom

Radio IN

Radio 34 radio

For more information about Kragujevac please visit the official city websites www.kragujevac.org.yu and www.usvemuprvi.com

LOCAL WEATHER

Kragujevac has moderate continental climate. It´s situated 180-200 m above the sea level. The coldest month is January with average temperature -5 C, the warmest month is July with average temperature +27C. Mean temperature throughout the year is +11.5 C. The dries month September with relative humidity od 39% and the wettest month is December with relative humidity of 79%. Average rainfall is 550L/ m² (with highest in June 83L/ m² and lowest in February 32L/ m²). There are 92 days during the year with temperature over +25C and 96 days with temperature below 0.

To be always informed about the weather in Kragujevac visit http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:17298

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Kragujevac is easy to get around on foot. However there is public transport that consists of 23 regular bus lines by the transport company Autosaobra?aj and Vulovi? transport. Single ticket fare in zone A is 30 dinars and in zone B is 45 dinars.

SOCIAL LIFE

Serbia is a land of warmhearted people, where hospitality is the dearest obligation of every host, where courtesy dictates that the guest should be offered more than he can eat or drink and where everything will be done to make the guest feel at home. It is particularly so in the rural areas where the code of hospitality is treated with seriousness. Sometimes the hospitality of the overenthusiastic hosts may threaten to overwhelm, but, since it is done with best intentions, you will have to adapt and enjoy it.

Greeting people

When people meet for the first time they say their first name, shake hands (try to do it sturdily with men) and say "Drago mi je" (Nice to meet you). If you meet the people you're already acquainted with, you will just shake hands and ask "Kako ste?" (more formal) or "Kako si?" (informal, with friends) (both mean "How are you?").

The usual "Hello/Hi" is "Zdravo" or "Chao" among younger people and "Dobro jutro" in the morning, "Dobar dan" during the day and "Dobro ve?e" in the evening for everyone else.

If you are seated, rise when you meet people, especially women and elder men. When meeting after a longer time or upon some celebration such as a birthday, it is customary to kiss three times on alternating cheeks while shaking hands, or, more familiarly, embrace. The same procedure comes also at saying goodbye ("Dovidjenja").

Women, especially younger, will kiss friends lightly on the cheek just once instead of a handshake. Eye contact is valued and you may expect more physical contact with the people you meet with, but that just means that they consider you a friend.

Since Serbs are, in general, open, friendly and direct, personal questions showing interest in stranger's life, politics, like and dislikes are often basis of conversations so don't be offended if you're most openly asked about an unusual theme.

When asking for something politely, use the phrase "Molim vas" (please). Always say "Hvala" for "Thank you".

House visits

Upon arriving at someone's home you will be treated to a coffee (almost always black coffee, called "Turska kafa" or "Crna kafa"), juice and rakija, usually a home made one in which every master of the house takes great pride (it's a topic they'll love to talk about). Don't miss trying the delicious sweet preserves "slatko" of which you should take just a spoon or two accompanied by a glass of water. Upon your first entry in a household it is customary to bring a symbolic present, a bottle of an alcoholic drink, an assortment of chocolates, flowers or similar.

In saying cheers, "Živeli", touch glasses and pay attention that you look to the eyes of all the people you toast with while touching glasses. Note that your glass will be replenished as soon as you've emptied it, so if you don't want to continue drinking leave some at the bottom.

During meals there are not many rules to obey. Try to follow the pace of your host but don't hesitate even one moment to take more if you like the food. The courses (starters, soup, main dish, dessert) are accompanied by saying "Prijatno" (Bon Appetite) and answering "Hvala, takodje" (Thank you, same to you).

Visiting for Slava

The greatest honor for every guest is to be invited to a "slava", a celebration of a family's saint day. Don't forget to bring a symbolic gift, such as a bottle of wine. The most conventional greeting is "Sre?na slava", followed by kissing three times on alternating cheeks while shaking hands. Upon entering the house, you will be offered "žito", a ceremonial sweet made of wheat, honey and nuts; you are required to make a sign of cross (if you're a Christian), take one spoon and leave it in a glass of water. All that you have to do afterwards is to enjoy the hospitality and eagerly answer all the toasts.

Smoking

An almost complete lack of non-smoking zones in a country where a majority of population smokes could be a distinct inconvenience for non-smokers. Feel free to ask for a cigarette even if you don't know the people you're asking. It is not considered impolite.

Foreign Languages

Language skills of locals depend on education and age: younger people even in smaller places tend to have good to fair knowledge of English. Amongst the middle age and elderly people only those with better education will know the language. Other languages that are often spoken are German, French, Russian and Italian. Knowledge of any Slavic language will prove useful since many of the common words are the same.

Visiting Churches and Monasteries

Upon visiting churches and monasteries you are required to act politely, not to laugh or raise your voice too loud. The dress code doesn't allow shorts or mini-skirts, which could be a problem in summertime. When entering, take your hat off. If your visit coincides with a service, you can enter, but stand in one place and don't walk around. On all occasions women are not allowed in the altar space behind the iconostasis. Ask for permission if you want to take pictures with a flash, especially in the church.

THE HOSPITALS

The foreign students will have their practice in Clinical Centre of Kragujevac according to the available disciplines in the Exchange Conditions of IFMSA Serbia

Clinical Center of Kragujevac is the main hospital complex of the Šumadija region, as well as for Northern Montenegro and Kosovo, which covers the area of 2 million people. It is a main educational base for the medical students at the University of Kragujevac.

Address: Zmaj Jovina 30, Tel: + 381 (0)34 370 124, 370 181, 370 060, 370 023

Fax: + 381 (0)34 370 073

www.kbc-kg.co.yu e-mail: kbc-kg@eunet.yu

School of Medicine University of Kragujevac and in year 2008 celebrates its 30th anniversary

ACCOMMODATION AND BOARDING

Main season for the incoming students is during summer, that is, July and August. The accommodation in Kragujevac is mainly in the student dormitories. Occasionally, when there are no rooms in the dormitories we find students host or we rent a flat for several students. Two students of the same sex share a room. Dormitories do not provide towels so do bring your own.

The boarding is in the student canteen or at the house of the student host, depending on the accommodation. The student receives the food coupons for the canteen upon arrival.

If the incoming student has a specific diet regimen, allergies to certain food or drinks or due to the religion cannot eat certain food, please let us know in advance. There will be no problem in providing the student suitable boarding according to the health or other indications.

SOCIAL PROGRAM

Practically all incoming students come in summer months. Every student has a contact person who waits for him/her at the bus/train station and will take care of the exchangee during the exchange period.

The social program consists of visiting monuments in the Kragujevac city area, such as

Memorial Šumarice dedicated to the Nazi 1941 massacre in Kragujevac and

the Memorial museum

The first Serbian highschool

The National Museum

and excursions to the monasteries

Žiča

Studenica UNESCO heritage site

Mileševa

Trumpet festival in Guča