EF International Language Centers
Academic Year Abroad For adults and Students aged 16 & above
Paris Capital of style, romance and “joie de vivre”, Paris is considered to be the most elegant and sophisticated city in the world. We offer well equipped classrooms, excellent French tuition and easy access to the city. Contact details: EF Ecole Internationale de Francais, 5 avenue de provence, 75009 Paris, France Tel: +(33)1 55 33 13 55 Emergency Tel: +(33) 6 24 55 17 48
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EF Paris
Accreditations and Memberships The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol and Bournemouth are:
The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are members of:
EF Dublin is accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in the USA are accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in the USA are members of:
EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.
The EF International Language Centers in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:
Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
The EF International Language Centers in Brisbane and Perth are members of:
The EF International Language Centers in Cambridge, München, Cape Town, Paris and Nice are accredited by:
EF Nice and EF Paris are recognized with the Label Qualité Français Langue Etrangère.
Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations.
All EF Courses are certified by Southern New Hampshire University.
EF Education is an active participant in the Comité Européen de Normalisation.
All EF Courses are recognized by Hult International Business School.
www.ef.com
Contents - Paris Section Topic
1 .......... Introduction to EF 2 .......... Welcome to France 3 .......... Weather watch 4 .......... Travel & transfer service 5 .......... School information 6 .......... Academics 7 .......... Accommodation & meals 8 .......... Money matters 9 .......... Phones, faxes & Internet 10 ........ Health care & insurance 11 ........ School activities & excursions 12 ........ Transportation 13 ........ Expectations 14 ........ French culture & living tips 15 ........ Adjusting to a new culture
Dear Student We are very happy to welcome you to our EF School in Paris. We will do our best to help you to enjoy your stay in Paris, known as the “City of Lights”. You’ll have the opportunity to study French and discover the ‘French Touch’. Have you already tasted a delicious baguette freshly baked during the night? What about a little cruise on the Seine – a good way to discover the amazing monuments of the French capital. The city offers a great deal of diverse activities year round from cultural events to social gatherings to exciting sports competitions. See the best of Paris, while studying French and enjoying all this city has to offer. The school staff and I look forward to welcoming you at EF Paris. Welcome aboard!
16 ........ EF school calendar & holidays 17 ........ Checklist
Bienvenue et à très bientôt! Alix Lallement, School Director EF International Language Center, Paris
1. Introduction to EF EF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and social activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language. EF students come from diverse backgrounds and like you, they have chosen a program to enhance their language skills as part of their academic or career plan. Many have planned for many years to take advantage of this opportunity. A large percentage of our students apply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifications for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills. A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international community where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission - breaking down barriers of language and culture.
2. Welcome to Paris, France Paris is one of the world’s most famous cities. For centuries people have visited the “City of Lights” – where elegance and the art of living are constantly being reinvented. Paris plays host to many of the world’s reknowned tourist attractions including NotreDame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and SacréCœur. Paris is not only the historical, cultural and economic capital of France but also the epitome of French civilisation. Brief History of the City A Celtic tribe named “the Parisii” settled the town on the current Ile de la Cité. The name was changed to Lutèce in 52 B.C. Following invasions by Germanic tribes in the 3rd century, the city was renamed Paris. By the end of the 15th century, the city had become the largest economic and cultural centre in western Europe, with 200,000 inhabitants. Though the Bourbon kings of France favoured Versailles, Paris regained its importance with the French Revolution, in 1789.
3. Weather Watch Paris has a mild climate, in between the oceanic climate from the west and the semi-continental from the east. This climate comes from the geographical position of Paris in Western Europe. Paris has cool winters and mild summers. The temperature has fallen to -15°C (like the winter 1953-1954) and risen to 38°C (like the summer 2003). But, rest assured, these extremes are rare! Seasonal temperatures as mentioned before are mild. January is the coldest month with an average of 4.7 °C. July and August are the warmest months with an average of 20 °C.
4. Travel & Transfer Paris has two major airports (you can find information about arrivals or departures on www. adp.fr). Orly (abbreviated ORY on the flight ticket) is situated 14 km south of Paris and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (abbreviated CDG on the flight ticket) 23 km north of the centre. We highly recommend you to take advantage of
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the one-way transfer service from the airport to the homestay. You must inform the EF office in your home country of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight number, date and time) at least one month before your arrival. This is especially important if you are staying in a homestay so your hosts are home when you arrive. When you arrive at Paris Airport, you should look for the EF Greeter as you come out of customs when you exit the terminal. Please make sure that you use this gate as the EF Greeter will be waiting for you when you come out. He or she will be wearing an EF T-shirt or carrying an EF sign. If you cannot find your greeter as soon as you reach the arrivals hall, call the Toll free number +33 800 00 29 21 from the airport or the emergency number. If for some reason you change your flight, miss a connection or cannot find the greeter, don’t hesitate to call the EF emergency number. It is very important that we know of changes so that we can meet you at the airport. Independent Travellers If you are arriving in Paris with your own travel arrangements, please inform your EF office of your flight or train details and your expected arrival time at your homestay. You should estimate 1.5 to 2 hours to get your luggage, go through customs at the airport and travel. Airport/city centre connections Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport ❚❚Air France coaches to central Paris, not restricted to Air France passengers. Depart from Paris CDG to Charles de Gaulle Etoile: every 15 minutes. Average journey takes about 40 minutes and costs around 10€. ❚❚Roissy Bus: direct transport to the Opera Garnier. Average journey is 45 minutes and the approximate fare is 8.50€. ❚❚RER B: A combined ticket of airport shuttle and SNCF Train. Buses and train leave from CDG every 15 minutes, the journey between Gare du Nord and CDG takes 35 minutes and costs 8.10€.
❚❚Taxis: it costs between 45€ and 60€ from CDG to the centre of Paris. There is an extra charge for luggage. ❚❚Airport’s limousine service: A car with driver, reservation mandatory and the cost is 160200€. Orly airport ❚❚Air France coaches to central Paris, not restricted to Air France passengers. Departure from Paris Orly to Invalides and Montparnasse every 12 minutes. Average journey takes 30 minutes and costs around 7.50€. ❚❚Orly Bus: Departs Place Denfert Rochereau every 15 minutes. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and costs about 5.70€.€ ❚❚RER B and orlyval : A combined ticket with airport shuttle and SNCF Train. The journey costs 8.80€ and takes about 30 minutes. ❚❚4. Taxis: It costs between 50-70€ to go by taxi from Orly to the centre of Paris. There is an extra charge for luggage. ❚❚Airport’s limousine service A car with driver; reservation is mandatory and the trip will cost approximately 160-200€. Try to avoid cars during rush hours (8:30 to 10:00 and 16:30 to 19:30).
5. School Information The EF International School of French is situated in the heart of Paris, within walking distance of the Opéra, the George Pompidou centre, la Bourse and Notre Dame. The school occupies the ground floor and first floor of an independent building. A very competent staff of teachers and Academic Director assist the School Director. Also available to assist you are a Housing/Administrative Coordinator and Activities Coordinator. EF staff and teachers will be available to assist you when you have problems, questions or concerns. Study Lounge For those looking to study in between classes, the school features a quiet study lounge and a language laboratory/computer lab. Computer Labs The computer lab can be used outside of class during limited hours to check email, do classwork or practice French lessons.
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Self-access centre All students are invited to make full use of our reading room and additional listening comprehension study materials.
6. Academics Paris is home to more than 300,000 students so it is the university capital of Europe, therefore a very active city for students. The EF academic programme gives students the opportunity to study the French language and the local culture for as long and with as much intensity as suits the student and his or her needs. All students will attend grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing classes. Your First Day On your first day of school, you will be welcomed at 9:00 by the school staff (8:30 during the summer) and you will be given a language placement test lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours; this will allow us to place you in the right class. Later you will have an orientation to give you details about the school, the city of Paris, its surroundings, and recreational activities. On Tuesday, the second day, you will start your French course. Our teaching staff will make sure that you are placed at the right level. Promotions to higher levels are based on class performance, attendance and teachers’ comments. Class Schedule Classes will be scheduled between 9a.m and 6.00p.m Monday through Friday (8:30 am - 6:50 pm during the summer months). Students will either have a combination of morning and afternoon classes or a morning schedule only. The schedule will be confirmed during orientation on the first day. Classes are usually taken in blocks of two lessons of 40 minutes each. Class size The average class size is 12 students; the maximum class size is 17 students. French teaching programmes There will be Intensive and General courses, from beginners to advanced levels. The Exam and Business courses are available to students of an intermediate to advanced level only.
Special Interest Courses (SPINs) Depending on your course type you may also select a number of special interest (SPIN) classes. The selection of SPIN classes vary throughout the year and may not be repeat each year. Each lesson is 40 minutes in length, and two lessons are combined into one eightyminute teaching period. Course books As part of your academic program, you’ll be expected to buy the books and classroom materials that you will use in class. The exact number of books that you’ll need is determined by your academic level, progress and choice of special interest classes. If you wish to buy additional books you may need more money. The books you buy are yours to keep, write in and take home with you for future reference. Exams Students also have the possibility of preparing and taking either of the following exams: Le Certificat de Français is suitable for students with a lower intermediate level of French. It takes place once a year, in April. A preparation course of 8 – 12 weeks is recommended. Le Diplôme Elémentaire de Langue Française (DELF) is suitable for students with an intermediate to advanced level of French. It is made up of four units which are offered frequently throughout the year and are cumulative. A preparatory 12 week Intensive Course is recommended for candidates of an already intermediate level or higher. It is sometimes possible to take the missing units in your own country. Le Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF) is suitable for students with a highly advanced level of French. It is made up of 2 units which are offered only a couple of times per year. Please consult your home office for exact dates. A preparatory 12 week Intensive Course is recommended for candidates already at an advanced level. Course Certificate At the end of your course, you will receive a certificate showing that you have attended courses regularly. If you have stayed at the school for four weeks or more, you will receive
an academic record attesting to the progress you have made. However, please note that these certificates are only given to students who have attended classes regularly. To be eligible for an EF certificate, students are expected to participate in class and must attend at least 80% of all classes.
7. Accommodation & Meals We feel that accommodation in a homestay is the best way for you to integrate into French society and make the most of your stay in Paris. If you prefer to find your own accommodation, then your EF office can inform you of the amount that will be deducted from your total course fee. It is important that you consider your options before leaving your home country. Once you have chosen the homestay accommodation, you have committed yourself to staying with a family for the duration of your course. For your own comfort and safety, please observe the following rules during your stay in EF accommodation: ❚❚Consumption of drugs is strictly forbidden. Students not respecting this rule will be sent home at their own expense. ❚❚Students cannot bring pets or animals with them in homestay accommodation. ❚❚No open flames (Candles, cookers, etc) are allowed in student rooms. ❚❚No alcohol is allowed in student rooms.
Homestay accommodation Our homestays are selected by the local EF Ac-
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commodation coordinator, who knows all of the families personally. Your room is reserved from the day before your course starts through the Saturday morning immediately after it finishes. Customs and traditions in France may be different from what you are used to at home, so remembering a few simple rules will help to make your life, as well as your homestay host’s, easier. Transportation: You are responsible for all transportation costs to and from the host’s home. You may be placed up to one hour away from the school. Room: Bed linens and towels as well as closet space will be provided. You will also have access to a desk or table, which may be in another room.Generally, you will share a twin room with an EF student of a different nationality, although we can not guarantee this at all times of the year. Arrival: Please make sure you advise your homestay hosts, or EF office, of your estimated time of arrival. Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before inviting friends to their home. Also, please do not expect your hosts to serve meals to your friends. Extra night : Please do not arrange extra accommodation nights directly with your homestay hosts without letting the school staff know. Damages: Should you cause any damages to your host’s property, please inform them immediately and settle the matter directly with them. EF acts only as a mediator between student
and homestay and will not accept responsibility for any damages caused by you. Telephone: Please do not use your host’s telephone without asking them first. If you want to make a phone call to your home country, make a collect call (this is called “PCV” in France), or ask your family and friends to call you. Meals: Please note that the French tend to be meat lovers and do not cater very well for vegetarians. Heating: Heating in many homes is not turned on until November. Respect your hosts: If you plan to be out late, please inform the family when you are expected to return home. Laundry: Your hosts will launder your sheets and towels, however they are not responsible for your own personal laundry (although some families may offer to do it for you anyway, for a small fee to cover water and detergent). Upon arrival, you will receive information which will contain a list of launderettes available to you. EF Staff: Should you feel unhappy with your homestay, please try to discuss it with them. You may suffer from “Culture Shock” because the French do many things differently from what you are used to at home. However, if you have any serious problems and are still unhappy after the first few days, you should contact the EF staff who may, if necessary, find another homestay for you. It is very unlikely that such a case will arise, as our homestays are selected with great care.
Changing homestays: Homestay accommodation is booked for your entire programme; requests for change will be considered on an individual basis. If you decide to leave your EF homestay family and find your own accommodation, you must give at least one month’s notice and pay a cancellation fee. If you do not respect this notice period, you will be asked to pay your accommodation and the penalty. If you are entitled to a refund you will be contacted by your sales office. Meals Your hosts will provide you with breakfast and an evening meal daily. You are responsible for buying your own lunch every day. Since food may be different from what you are used to eating at home, you should come to France prepared to sample a range of perhaps unfamiliar dishes.
8. Money Matters Currency The currency in France is the Euro. The symbol for this currency is €. The euro is divided into 100 cents (sometimes referred to as eurocents, especially when distinguishing them from other currencies). Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100. They will each be a different color to allow you to tell them apart more easily. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2. Spending Money We estimate that you will need about 150€ per week to cover the cost of activities, weekday lunches, sports, entertainment, activities and transportation between your homestay and school. The amount you need will be relative to what your choices of activities are. You will also need to take money for learning materials used in class and for any language proficiency exams you plan to take. Banking and Wiring Money Before you leave your home country, enquire at your own bank to find a corresponding bank in Paris, so that the transfer of money can be as easy as possible. When you arrive in Paris you can then open an account at this bank and in case of emergency, your parents or sponsors can
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wire money to you this way. Having a local bank account is also a safer way to keep your money, as it is not a good idea to carry a lot of cash. Please note: Students under 18 years of age must bring an authorisation from their parents’ bank, allowing them to withdraw money in Paris. Most banks now issue automatic teller machine cards (ATM or PIN cards), which work on internationally compatible banking networks. Using your card at compatible cash distributors (match the network symbols from your card to those of local distributors) you can withdraw money from your account at home using a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Withdrawals (with some exceptions) should be based on the current bank exchange rate, and a possible per transaction fee. Please enquire with your bank at home to apply for a card with a compatible network in France. Be sure to keep your PIN separate from your card, in case of loss or theft. Credit Cards We strongly recommend that students travel with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms, and do various activities, which may be more difficult with cash or traveller’s cheques. Banks Banks are usually open daily from 9:00 to 16:30 except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Most banks are open on Saturday mornings and some are closed on Mondays. Foreign currency exchange offices are open daily except on Sundays; they are open late everyday at the airports. Wiring money International money order wiring through the Post Office or American Express is the fastest way to wire money from abroad. There are American Express offices all over the city open from Monday to Saturday.
9. Telephone, fax & Internet Telephone Service Telephone numbers in France are composed of ten numbers. When making calls to France from abroad, you must first dial the international access code, then the country code (which is ‘33’ for France) and omit the ‘0’ from the city code.
To make local calls you can use a public payphone and it will cost you the minimum of 0,30€. To call abroad you need to dial 00 plus the code for your country followed by the telephone number you wish to call. You can pay with coins or you can purchase a phone card at the school or at a “tabac” shop. They come in 7,62€ and 15,24€ denominations. You can also make phone calls from the local post office where you pay the cost of the call after you have finished. If you make any calls from you homestay host’s telephone, you should always ask first and you should call collect (“en PCV”). Useful telephone numbers Emergency numbers zH ospital Lariboisière: 01 49 95 65 65 zC entre Anti-Poisons de Paris: Hôpital Fernand Widal 200, rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis 75475 Paris Cedex 10: 01 40 05 48 48 zS .O.S. Doctors 24h/24h: 01 47 07 77 77 z Doctors close from school: Maité Lavielle: 01 48 24 25 44 Powell-Roussin Lydie: 01 47 70 38 01 Other numbers zS NCF Lost Luggage: 3635 zC ity Lost and Found: 36, rue des Morillons à Paris, dans le 15ème arrondissement. zA irport: 3950 Fax The EF school has a fax machine for use to conduct business. You are permitted to send and receive faxes from this machine. The following fees will apply to use the EF fax machine. ❚❚To send: 5€ per page ❚❚To receive: The first two pages are free, with a 1€ fee per page for each additional page. Public fax machines can also be found in local copy shops, post offices, etc Internet Access The school has a computer lab complete with Internet access. You will have access to student computers for language learning and may use the computers with your teacher during class time. Students also have limited access to computers outside of the class timetable; a schedule of open hours will be available at school. The school is
equipped with free Wi-Fi, wireless Internet. Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops.
10. Health Care & Insurance The EF staff is happy to assist you in finding an appropriate medical facility. EF requires that all students be insured upon starting their programme of study, if not, students will be required to purchase the EF recommended Erika Travel Insurance. Students should take into consideration that they have to pay for their visits to the doctor, it can range from 30€ to 50€ (even if one has insurance), this can then be refunded later on by making an insurance claim. We strongly recommend that you take out a comprehensive health insurance policy before leaving for Paris. An insurance policy specifically geared to cover you in case of illness while away from your home country is available through your EF office. Regardless of which insurance provider you subscribe to, we recommend that you bring a translation in either French or English of your proof of coverage or your policy details in order to avoid any confusion about your coverage during your stay. If you have any health problems during your stay, please alert your homestay hosts, your EF Resident Advisor, or the EF staff at the school, any of whom can put you in touch with a doctor. If you do have to see a doctor during your stay, you should: ❚❚Keep copies of all bills ❚❚Keep all prescriptions ❚❚Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you have purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms available upon request at the school).
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Mutual Health Insurance Agreement The below countries have a mutual health insurance agreements with France. We recommend that students ask their health insurance in their home country for an E-111, E-106 or E-109 form. ❚❚ Austria, Israel, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Spain, Finland, Luxemburg, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, Switzerland, Greece, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom and former Yugoslavia
expert. The policy protects you against expenses incurred through accident or illness, and provides coverage for loss or theft of baggage and personal effects. It also provides coverage against interruption of your EF program due to illness as well as liability and legal expenses. The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika Travel Insurance questions and claims. When you are sick or injured the last thing you want to do is deal with such issues. Let us help you!
Even students from the above countries should consider purchasing a supplementary insurance, since this mutual agreement covers them only for basic treatment by the first available doctor. A supplementary private insurance like Erika Travel Insurance (see section on EF recommended insurance) entitles the student to a wider choice of treatments and doctors, health services available to them more quickly, and preferential conditions for hospital stays.
11. Activities & Excursions
Third Party Liability Insurance Please make sure that you have third party liability insurance. Particularly for longer-term students, this is a condition for obtaining your Visa from the local authorities. Please inquire with your EF office prior to departure, as this type of coverage may already be included in your policy, if you have purchased student travel insurance through EF. Erika Travel Insurance Because security is EF’s number one priority, we have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made travel insurance package for EF students with Erika Travel Insurance, an international insurance
Extracurricular activities contribute greatly to your social and academic success. They not only help you to relax after a day studying, they also provide you with an opportunity to meet and make friends from other classes, other countries and other cultures. Your school’s activities and trips give you the opportunity to apply your life skills, practice French in real situations and familiarize yourself with the French culture. In addition, all museums are free for European students under 25 years old. Activity Programme You will have the chance to take part in a programme of sports, activities and excursions. They are organised by the activity leader at minimum cost to the student.
12. Transportation There are several Metro (subway) and bus stations a few minutes walking from the school; “Bonne Nouvelle” (subway, line 8 or 9), the exit which should be taken is rue d’Hauteville, Grands Boulevard (line 8 or 9), Strasbourg St Denis (Line 8 or 9) and other subway stations :
Sentier (line 3), Bourse (line 3), Le Peletier (line 7). RERA: Opera (10 to 15 minutes walk.) There are also many bus lines: 20, 39, 48, 67, 74, 85. Public Transportation The first metro is at 5:30 am and the last train leaves the terminals of each line at 12:30 am except when indicated (1:30 on Saturdays and bank holidays). Passengers must stamp their ticket at the point of departure. Metro and bus maps are available for free in all metro stations. One ticket costs 1.60€ and a book of ten costs 11.60€ and are used on the metro and on the bus. They can be purchased on the bus or at metro stations and at some corner stores. There are also other travel cards : ❚❚Mobilis: This card is valid for one full day and can be used for an unlimited number of trips by metro, RER, bus, suburban SNCF Trains, the Montmartre funicular, the St Denis Bobigny Tram and night bus. It is possible to go as far as Euro Disney. ❚❚Paris Visite: this card is valid for 1,2,3,4,5 consecutive days over the entire network of the RATP (metro and buses), RER (fast metro), SNCF (train) in Paris and Ile de France, as well as on the some buses and Roissyrail services in particular (it is possible to buy it for up to 5 zones + airport). Paris Visite can be purchased at the Paris Tourism and convention Bureau, in metro, RER and SNCF stations as well as in the airports. ❚❚ Weekly Travel Card: at a cost of 11.60€ per week this card represents a cost effective way to travel around Paris. With this card you are entitled to one week unlimited travel within central Paris (Zones 1 and 2), including the bus. Buses Please note that buses are often crowded during rush hour and slower than the metro. The bus lines that stop near the school are 29, 74, 48, 95. Noctambus The noctambus is for travel after the metro closes. The service includes 10 bus routes which leave the heart of Paris (Châtelet: avenue Victoria or Rue Saint Martin) and go to the city limits. Timetables: Châtelet/suburbs, a bus leaves every hour between 1:30 a.m and 5:30 a.m. Suburbs/Châtelet: every hour between 1:00 a.m and 5.00 a.m. One ticket costs 2.60€.
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Balabus The balabus will take you to the main tourist sites in Paris, every Sunday and Public holiday between Apr 11 and Sept 26, from 12:30 - 20:00. Departures: bus stops are marked Balabus. The whole trip lasts 50 minutes. Main stops are: Gare de Lyon, Saint Michel, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Concorde, Champs Elysées, Charles de Gaulle Etoile, Porte Maillot, Neuilly. Batobus The Batobus (literally boat bus) travels up and down the Seine and is a pleasant way to discover Paris and its historic centre. Unlike the Seine cruise boats, it is cheap and allows you to get on/off at most of the monuments, museums and prestigious sights situated along the Seine. It runs seasonally from May-September. Taxis You can identify a taxi by the light on its roof. If the light is switched off, the taxi is unavailable. Beware of bogus taxis (missing lights on the roof) they charge high/unregulated fares. There are additional charges for luggage, a fourth passenger and for animals. Car rentals The approximate cost for renting a car per day is 150€. Bike rentals You will find addresses for bicycle rentals and excursions at your school. Prices vary from 16€ to 20€ per day and around 70€ for a week. Vélo RATP has rental service packages: ranging from 4€ per hour to 32€ for 8 days. With “Vélib,” you’ll find stations are all over Paris to rent your bike. The first 1/2 hour is free of charge. More details at school
13. Expectations Expectations are a normal part of anticipating a new experience. We understand that everyone has their own individual beliefs and anticipations, however we ask you to come with an open mind. What you can expect from EF: zS upportive staff, available for guidance and encouragement. zA n academic program which combines language, special interest, and culture-oriented classes. zF ull program of local activities and excursions at special EF rates.
zA ccommodation in either homestay or student residence. zA ll designated meals. zE F Academic Year Abroad Diploma for Academic Year Abroad students with 80% attendance per term and good academic standing and academic records zE F Course Certificate for International Language Students with 80% attendance and good academic standing. zP reparation classes and/or materials for appropriate standardized language exams and availability of University Placement Service (UPS). What EF expects of you: zT o develop a greater understanding of the world around you. zT o attend at least 80% of all classes and to do your best in class at all times. zT o be respectful of your homestay hosts, your classmates, your teachers and your community. zT o keep your room and shared areas clean. zT o speak French at all times. zT o abide by all laws, rules and regulations of your host country, state, campus and school. What you can expect from your homestay hosts: ❚❚A comfortable, clean place to live. ❚❚Prepared meals or accessibility to food to prepare yourself according to the meal plan. ❚❚Access to the school in approximately one hour by public transportation. All transportation costs are your responsibility.
14. French culture & living tips Passport/Visa Duration of stay between three months and a year: Citizens of EU countries do not require visas. Students from outside the EU staying three months or more, should obtain a “longue durée” visa prior to arrival. Please check with your French Embassy regarding the exact formalities necessary. You will also have to provide the following documents upon arrival: Students from outside the EU: In addition to the “longue durée” visa obtained prior to your arrival, you will need: a copy of your passport, three black and white photographs, a copy of school diplomas (officially translated into French), birth certificate, bank statement/proof of funds, health insurance (all officially translated into French) and the school’s admission letter.
Once you have applied for the Carte de Séjour and provided all the necessary documents, you will receive from the local authorities a temporary permit which will allow you to travel (called a “demande de Carte de Séjour”). Additionally, after about 1-2 months, non-EU students will need to go for a routine medical visit, and then afterwards will receive the Carte de Séjour which will be attached in their passport. The mandatory medical visit costs 55€. The entire process normally takes a few months to complete. The Schengen Visa Very important for non-EU students on the Multi-Language Year Programme or any non-EU students intending to travel after their programme in the Schengen states. The following European Countries participate in the Schengen programme: Austria, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands. If applicable, a Schengen Visa issued by a Consulate of the Countries mentioned allows the holder to travel freely in these Countries. For any non-EU students who are not normally required to hold a visa for individual stays of up to 90 days in one Schengen Country, but who will be staying for a consecutive period of more than 90 days in the Schengen Countries collectively, either a Schengen visa or a valid visa from each of the countries to be visited is required. In either case, the visa application(s) must be completed before you leave your home country, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa from outside your home country and would need to return home in order to obtain the appropriate visa in person. ❚❚If you intend to visit only one Schengen Country, you must apply at the Consulate of that specific Country. ❚❚If you intend to visit several Schengen Countries, you must apply at the Consulate of the Country, which is your main destination or the Country where you will be staying longer. ❚❚If you intend to visit several Schengen Countries, but do not have a main destination or you will be staying the same amount of time in each of them, you must apply at the Con-
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sulate of the Country you will enter first. ❚❚If you do not need a visa for the Schengen Country which is your main destination, please note that a visa may be required for other Schengen Countries. You should then apply for a visa at the Consulate of the Country you will enter first. To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need: ❚❚To appear in person at the Visa Office of the Consulate closest to you. You must submit the application form filled out completely stating the reason for requesting a visa and the expected length of stay in the first Schengen state you will visit as well as a recent passport-size photograph. Please inquire with your local consulate to see if more than one copy of the application form, or multiple photos will be necessary in your particular
nearest is located Impasse Bonne Nouvelle and is opened from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
case, which may vary depending on the countries you intend to visit during your stay. ❚❚ To present your passport (which must be valid at least 90 days over your expected stay), proof of residency in your jurisdiction, a valid round trip ticket for transportation, and proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay to the Visa Office. You should also bring the acceptance letters from each of the schools you will be attending in the Schengen Countries, specifying dates of attendance. If you will be travelling to another destination following your stay in the Schengen Countries for which you are required to hold a separate visa, you will also need to present this visa when applying for your Schengen visa. Further documentation may be requested from you by the Consulate, particular to your application. Fees will vary; please enquire at time of application.
des Spectacles.
Appliances Electric outlets in France have a 220 voltage and use round two-pin plugs. Mail Post offices are usually open weekdays from 8.00 to 18.00 and Saturday from 8.00 to 12.00. Post offices are always closed on national holidays. Post and sending mail A few blocks away from our school is the Central Post office located at 52, rue du Louvre (Métro : Louvre) which operates a 24-hour, seven day service for international telegrams, phone calls, and wires. There are also three other post offices situated near the school. The
Tipping Five to ten percent in restaurants if the waiters have been nice and patient. Tipping is not compulsory, even if some waiters might try to tell you otherwise. A 15% service fee is automatically added to the bill in all restaurants. You can’t avoid it, but you are advised to check that it has been accurately calculated. Entertainment Cinema tickets cost about 8€. Tickets are reduced at most cinemas on Mondays and/ or Wednesdays along with Sunday mornings. For listings of concerts, events and clubs, purchase Pariscope or Figaroscope or L’officiel
15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of students who have come together to learn French. It is also a multi-cultural group of young adults who are eager to share their own culture and learn the culture of their host country and fellow classmates. One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts, traditions and practices of a specific community or population. Our culture affects how we view ourselves, how we relate to others and what we value as important in life. We are often unaware of how much our culture affects our lives. You may have already had some exposure to the new culture you are about to experience. You may have seen television shows, read books, or studied in school about France. While some parts of this culture may already seem familiar to you, experiencing a new culture first-hand will prove exciting. You will be meeting students from all over the world who, like you, are looking forward to spending a year learning and living a language, both inside and outside the classroom. As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are uncomfortable. Culture shock is what sometimes happens when we try to meet challenges of our new culture by using the values, beliefs, and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-
ences are merely different - not right or wrong. It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from your culture to share with other students and your host to teach them about your country. Tips on coping with change Remember that change does not come without some effort! We humans need a certain amount of stress to motivate us to learn new ways of being. Learning always involves some form of change. You should try the following: zW hile you might be tempted to surround yourself with things that are familiar to you, try not to isolate yourself by being only with others from your home country. Keep reaching out to your host, roommates and other students. zP ut off making major decisions such as an accommodation change, until you feel more “at home” with the culture in general. zT alk to us about your worries or problems. EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to know about any problem you may have so that we can help you. zS et goals, no matter how big or small, and accomplish them! You will feel good about yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the
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Paris, France
negative feelings associated with culture shock. For example, set a goal that you will speak French at all times. zR emind yourself that you came to this country to experience a new culture, to meet others and to explore your new surroundings. Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on the days before leaving your home country when you were excited about your new adventure. Try to refocus this former excitement towards your experience. Keeping a journal One way to keep track of emotions and changes that take place over the year is to keep a journal. By recording your experiences and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will have a record of your academic and personal progress to look back on in days and years to come. Be sure to note changes in: zL anguage skills zS chool performance and involvement zC ampus/host adjustment z I ndividual learning and growth Keeping a journal will help to remind you that culture shock is truly a temporary phase
of adjustment. Bring pictures and Items from home If you have room in your suitcases for some music, a costume, pictures, or some typical crafts, it would be good to show other students, as well as to decorate your room to make it seem like home. We have seen costumes and drums from Korea, dancing and music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your friends, family and surrounding area.
16. EF School Calendar
17. Checklist
Academic Year Schedule The Academic Year is divided into three terms. (See the applicable start date below for your program’s specific term and break schedule).
■■ Valid passport (with visa where necessary) It’s a good idea to make copies of these and pack them in your suitcase just in case. You don’t need to carry your passport with you while you are in France but you must keep it and your other documents in a safe place while you are in the country.
January 2013 Academic Year and Semester Program Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan Term 1: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013 Holiday: Sat 8 Jun - Sun 16 Jun Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug Departure: 17 Aug 2013
■■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student identification cards, travel cards and other possible documents ■■ Flight ticket ■■ Luggage correctly labeled
Please note: there will be no classes on public holidays.
■■ E F Confirmation letter & other EF documents
School holidays The EF International Language Center in Paris recognizes the following public holidays when there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on one of these dates, please check with the school staff upon your arrival for an exact orientation schedule.
■■ M ake sure all EF forms are complete, especially the Health Certificate ■■ Medical and travel insurance documents ■■ Basic medical supplies, any medication you take regularly and a spare pair of contact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
2012 1 November - All Saint’s Day 11 November - Armistice de 1918 25 December - First Day of Christmas 26 December - Second Day of Christmas 2013 1 January - New Year’s Day 1 April - Easter Monday 1 May - Labour Day 8 May - Victoire de 1945 9 May - Ascension Day 14 July - National Day 15 August - Assumption 1 November - All Saint’s Day 11 November - Armistice de 1918 25 December - First Day of Christmas 2014 1 January - New Year’s Day 21 April - Easter Monday 1 May - Labour Day 8 May - Victoire de 1945 29 May - Ascension Day 14 July - National Day 15 August - Assumption 1 November - All Saint’s Day 11 November - Armistice de 1918 25 December - First Day of Christmas
■■ An International Driving License if you are planning on renting a car. ■■ Local currency for first week and for any learning materials that are not included in the cost of the course.
Important telephone numbers Homestay host’s or student residence name:
■■ Money in the form of an ATM card (Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring large amounts of cash in any currency!). ■■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appliances you plan to bring with you.
________________________________________ Homestay host’s or student residence address:
________________________________________ Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
■■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook. ■■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers. ■■ Personal sports equipment.
________________________________________
■■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
EF Sales Office telephone number:
________________________________________ EF School telephone number:
+(33) 1 55 33 13 55 ________________________________________ EF School emergency telephone number:
+(33) 6 24 55 17 48 ________________________________________
■■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.