International Language Campuses
Student handbook Your guide to the EF experience www.ef.com
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Welcome to the EF Family 03
Learn a language, make new friends and create memories for life at one of our 50 destinations around the world. Dear Student,
Contents
Your EF Language Course is the start of a great adventure abroad. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that you enjoy your stay – with dedicated support, an innovative learning method and a full schedule of leisure activities. Set some goals for your journey in the coming months. It’s going to be one to remember.
04 What to expect 08 Meeting a new culture 10 Getting ready for your trip
This handbook will provide all the information you need for your stay abroad – from arranging a transfer to booking excursions. Take time to read through it and be sure to bring it along with you to your destination. You never know when you’ll need to find out more about doing laundry or catching the bus to school. Speak to a member of EF Staff if you have any questions. We’re here for you around the clock – and all want your experience to be a memorable one. We look forward to welcoming you.
1) Study 12 Your language program 14 How you’ll learn
2) Live 16 Accomodation FAQs 18 Living options 20 Your freetime
3) Support 22 Your school team 24 Our school code 28 Become an Ambassador 32 Things to remember 32 Notes
Sincerely, Your EF Team
9 Languages 50 Destinations 100+ Nationalities
What to expect 04
You’re in store for a great adventure. Know what to expect from your EF experience – and what we expect of you. What to expect from your language course
What to expect from your residence
-- Information about the course location before departure. -- Staff to provide support and answer questions around the clock. -- Teaching that blends classroom lessons, interactive tools and cultural immersion -- Accommodation in a homestay or residence. -- Assistance if you wish to prepare for a language exam. -- A wide range of leisure activities – either free or for a small cost. -- A course diploma and a language certificate, which requires 80% attendance.
-- A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s language center -- Sharing your accommodation with a student from another country.
What to expect from your homestay -- Experiencing a new culture. -- Enjoying meals at your homestay. -- A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s language center. -- Sharing twin accommodation with a student from another country.
What we expect from you -- At least 80% attendance in class. -- Respect for your homestay hosts, fellow students and environment. -- Obeying all laws and regulations applicable in the country and school. -- Staying neat at school and in your homestay or residence. -- Telling EF Staff if something feels wrong or does not meet your expectations.
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Meeting a new culture 05
The experience of a lifetime comes with meeting a new culture. Prepare for your adventure – and get ready to immerse in your destination's culture. Welcoming another culture
Conquer culture shock
Culture is a mix of beliefs, customs, art and language that define a society or population. It’s learned from family, teachers and friends, knowingly and unknowingly. Your culture determines how you perceive yourself, the way you relate to others and what you consider important. It shapes your identity – and makes it easy to connect with people from your country. Behaviors and practices are easy to see, but our attitudes and core values aren’t as simple to pinpoint. Immerse yourself in a new culture by reflecting on what you’re most excited to try or learn about your destination’s culture.
Culture shock can begin as the initial excitement of your destination subsides. You may feel uneasy or homesick, which leads to identifying drawbacks of the new country. It’s not uncommon to experience physical symptoms like trouble sleeping or losing your appetite. Rest assured that this period of adjustment will pass.
Take actions toward understanding a new culture
Friends
Activities
Adjust
Goals
Grow
Make friends from countries other than your own.
Keep busy – from studying to playing a sport
Decisions are best made after you’ve adjusted to your destination.
Set goals. You’ll be reminded of your Language Course’s purpose.
Remember that you’re growing every day – don't give up!
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“ My time in London was amazing. I lived with a great host family and my host sister was amazing!” Graziella Bianchi, Italy EF London
“ Studying abroad with EF gave me the opportunity to make so many new friends – it was an amazing experience." Dominique Jaegger, Switzerland EF New York
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Getting ready for your trip 08
Your trip is right around the corner. Be sure you don’t miss anything before you leave – from applying for visas to getting airline tickets. My EF
Travel protection
Log on to My EF – a social network exclusively for EF students. Use it to take your placement test, get in touch with your future classmates, reserve an airport transfer, join our Ambassador program, practice your language skills or explore your destination. Check your inbox for the email you received with login details upon enrollment – and log on at my.ef.com.
It is mandatory to be insured during your language course. Erika has been the exclusive insurance provider to EF customers for 20 years. People working in the EF schools are familiar with this insurance company and know what to do and where to call in case of an emergency. They also have claim forms at hand to help students with minor issues.
Passport
Flights
Make sure that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay abroad and six months after your return. If you’re required to have valid identification while at your destination, your passport will work for this. Before you leave, make a copy of it to bring along to your destination and one to leave at home – this will come in handy if your passport gets lost.
Your local EF office can help with arranging your flights. Our travel services ensure competitive prices and flexible tickets – which means you can rebook your flight. Once your flight booking is completed, enter your trip details into My EF, so the school staff and your homestay hosts know when to expect you and can arrange your transfer from the airport.
Visa
Transfers
We’ll provide the instructions if you need to apply for a visa prior to departure. You’re responsible for your visa application – so, be sure to start applying in time and pay all fees required for the application process. You can always get in touch with your local EF office for more information regarding the visa you need to travel abroad.
Your local EF office can help with arranging transportation to and from your destination's airport – which you can reserve over the phone or on My EF. Students who choose to use our transfer service will be met at the airport by an EF Representative and driven to their accommodation’s front door. Please keep in mind, we have many students arriving at the same time so you may have to wait a little for all students to arrive.
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Departure meeting
School supplies
You’ll find out more about life at your destination, get a packing list and meet fellow classmates at our Departure Meeting – which we recommend you attend. You’ll receive an email invitation to your Departure meeting, which you can attend either online or in person.
Bring pens and notebooks along with you to your destination. Should you choose to bring a dictionary with you – we recommend bringing one translated into your native language, as well as one in your study language. You’ll receive all additional course material upon your arrival to school.
Medicine If you take medicine, it’s important that you bring enough of your prescription to last for the duration of your trip – unless you’re sure you can get a prescription at your destination. Tuck away any extra medicine, glasses or contact lenses in your carry-on luggage.
Phone numbers and addresses Make sure that you have the phone number and address of your local EF office, airport transfer service, EF school and accommodation filled out at the back of this handbook. These will come in handy if you need to communicate flight delays or changes in your schedule.
Money Bring enough money to cover public transportation expenses for the first week of your stay. You may want to bring a little extra in case you’d like to purchase snacks or souvenirs. You can request the currency used in your destination from your local bank.
Checklist
☐ Sign and return the Code of Conduct ☐ Sign and return the T&Cs ☐ Sign and return your medical form ☐ Take the Placement Test on My EF ☐ Ensure you have a valid passport ☐ Apply for the required visas ☐ Get travel insurance ☐ Book flights ☐ Arrange transfers ☐ Enter your flight details into My EF ☐ Attend an EF Departure Meeting ☐ Pack medicine money in your destination’s ☐ Get currency ☐ Get school supplies
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Study
[study] Learning a language with EF is more than just classroom study – you'll also hone your skills by practicing in real-world situations and in technology-enhanced lessons.
Your language program 11
Get everything you need to know about studying abroad with EF – from what your first day of school will look like to what to do when you’re absent. Your language level
Your timetable
Before you leave for your course destination, you’ll need to log on to your My EF account and take our language test. We’ll use your results – along with an oral test on your first day of school – to make sure you’re in the right class. There are 6 different stages and each stage has 2 different levels (i.e. B1-1, B1-2).
Your timetable is structured based on which program you’re studying. You’ll have either 32, 26 or 20 lessons per week, each lasting for 40 minutes – mostly organized in double lessons lasting one hour and 20 minutes.
A1 Beginner A2 Elementary B1 Intermediate B2 Upper Intermediate C1 Advanced C2 Upper Advanced
Your first day of school You’ll start learning on the first day of your course, and most of our students arrive at their destination the previous day. Your first day will be spent getting ready for your studies ahead and meeting classmates and teachers. You’ll also receive your timetable, as well as information about your school and destination city.
Attendance It’s really important to attend all of your classes – but, if you’re ill or can’t make it, be sure to let the Academic Office know. If you’re ill for three days or more, you’ll need to bring a doctor’s note with you when you return to class. If you’re not sure how to get a doctor’s note, talk to the staff at your school. Please remember that we’ll have to send you a warning letter if your attendance gets close to the minimum of 80%. If you're under 18, we’ll also have to contact your parents or sponsors if your attendance continues to decline.
Changing or extending your program The Academic Team can advise you on all the different study programs that EF offers. If you’d like to change your program or extend your stay, just come see us. We can also prepare you for official language exams in your study language (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and Japanese) if you reserve them in advance – and they're available at your course center. Talk to your school's Academic Team to find out more about exam dates, costs and availability.
How you’ll learn 12
Our innovative learning method guarantees that you’ll make maximum progress in your studies. And you’ll have our support around the clock. General language lessons Sixteen of your lessons will focus on general language skills like vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation. A further four (two for the basic course) Project Sessions will improve your research and communication skills through practical work tailored to your interests.
Special interest classes In addition to your General Language classes, you’ll have some Special Interest classes (SPIN classes) for subjects that you’re interested in or that you’d like to use for your career or education goals. The SPIN class options you can choose from depends on what program you’re enrolled in and which classes are available during your stay. You can also take online SPIN classes.
Lectures
Monitoring progress
You’ll have two lecture sessions every week. Each one will focus on a different subject – like history, art, local culture or current affairs.
To check that you’re at the right learning level, there will be class tests and quizzes each week. We’ll also give you a progress test at the end of each study stage. You can follow your progress on your iTracker.
Outside the classroom Traveling to another country to learn the language means a lot of opportunity to practice. To really advance your fluency, speak the language outside of the classroom and make friends with students from other countries. And remember, don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
Homework Your teachers will give you homework to complement your work in class. Ask your teacher if you’d like extra homework, practice or assignments.
Proof Of Your Success EF offers language exams in all the languages that we teach. If you’ve attended at least 80% of your classes, you can take the EF Standard English Test (EFSET) in your final week at school (English courses only). This test evaluates your language level using the internationally-recognized Common European Framework of Reference standards.
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Live
[live] Whether you’re going on a weekend excursion with friends or bonding over dinner with your host family – you’ll live the language with EF.
Accommodation FAQs 15
Sit back and relax – whether you’re coming home to a local family, living at a residence in the heart of your destination city or staying steps from your course center. What should I do if I damage something in my EF Homestay? At an EF Homestay, any damages or breakages you cause should be resolved between you and your homestay hosts – but we can help if needed. It’s best that you offer to pay for any damages you cause or claim them on your insurance. How do I keep my valuables safe? Keep your passport, return ticket, money, traveler’s cheques and anything else valuable in a safe place (i.e. your locked suitcase). Tell your school staff immediately if anything goes missing. Do I have a curfew time? If you’re 16 or 17 years old, you have a curfew for returning home. This may vary from destination to destination but please respect the times you are given, they are for your own safety. If you’re between 12 and 15 years old, your curfew is 22:00 every day – including weekends.
What should I do if I want to stay out? You may only do so if you’re over 18. Always tell your homestay host or Residence Advisor if you’re not going to spend the night at home or going away for the weekend. If your hosts are expecting you home and you don’t arrive, they will report you as missing to the police. When going out, it’s a good idea to only carry exactly what you’ll need – like small amounts of cash, your EF ID and a copy of your passport. Can I change my homestay host? Please come see the Accommodation Team at your EF school if you're not comfortable – as it's one of our top priorities. Changes are usually made on the weekend – and we'll need parental consent if you're under 18. Please keep in mind that it is not possible to change your homestay based on distance from school and that it may not be possible to change your family immediately during busy times of the year. Can I stay in my own accommodation? If you’re between 12 and 15 years old, you cannot stay in
your own accommodation. If you’re 16 or older and staying in your own or private accommodation, you must tell EF about address and telephone number and update us of any changes during your time with us. Remember, it’s your responsibility to deal with landlords and letting agents, not EF’s. What is a EF Homestay like? Our homestay hosts come from all walks of life and from a wide range of ethnic and religious backgrounds, reflecting the multicultural society of your destination. Our homestay demographic is represented mostly by middle-income households. There’s no typical homestay. Among EF hosts there are people of all ages; including young professionals, middleaged or retired people, couples without children, families or single parents with children of any age, single people. This means that there might not be children of your age in the homestay. It’s one of the reasons why we usually try to place you with students of your age range. However, you may be the only guest in your homestay.
Living options 16
EF Homestay Stay in an EF Homestay for maximum cultural exchange. Keep in mind, each homestay host is different and unique – just like your family back home. Some important things to remember -- You may be sharing a room in your EF Homestay with another student of the same gender from your EF course center. -- You’ll be given a key to the house – but if you lose it, you’ll have to pay for a new one. -- You should always ask your hosts’ permission before bringing friends back to the house. -- Enjoy breakfast and dinner during the week and all meals during the weekend. Be sure to let your homestay hosts know if you're going to miss a meal. -- Part of living abroad means you’ll need to try dishes you might not have tasted before. If there are certain food you really can’t eat for any reason, let the staff at your EF course center know. -- If you get hungry during the day, you’ll need to buy extra snacks for yourself. -- Your hosts will wash your bed linen but you’ll need to clean your own clothes, either at home or at a local laundrette.
Ask your homestay host how it works in their house and speak to your school staff to find out more about how much a laundrette costs. -- Always ask your hosts before using their home telephone to make a call. It’s usually easier to buy a prepaid phone card from the Activities Office at your EF course center. -- You can always access the internet at your EF school. Ask your homestay hosts' permission to use the internet at home. Remember, never download any illegal material from the Internet, either at school or your homestay.
Stay at an EF Campus and make new friends from day one
EF San Diego
EF Residence or EF Campus Staying at an EF Residence or EF Campus gives you the chance to meet new friends and share your experience of living in another country. An EF Residence is usually off-site, while an EF Campus is usually just steps from your classes. The location of EF Residences can vary, but they’re always located near local amenities and public transport links. Some important things to remember -- You may be sharing a room with other EF students. The
number of students in your room varies depending on your destination and your specific residence. You’ll find out who your roommates are when you arrive at your residence. -- Nationalities of students staying together in an EF Residence vary greatly, so it’s a great opportunity to connect with people from around the world. -- Meals provided depend on your destination and residence. Many residences feature shared kitchens where you can prepare your own meals. Speak to your local
EF office or school staff to find out more about catering options. -- It’s a good idea to prepare for your stay abroad by planning a weekly budget. Remember that you’ll be sharing space with other students. -- Alcohol is not allowed on any of EFs premises, including the Residence and Campus. -- You may need to bring an accommodation deposit along with you to your destination. Given there are no damages, this will be returned upon your departure.
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Your free time 19
Make the most of your trip abroad – explore your destination city, go on a weekend getaway or just play a game of cards. Exciting weekly timetables Activities organized by EF make it simple and fun to learn more about your country of study, meet friends, practice your language skills – and take home some great memories. You can get a new weekly schedule every Monday from the Activities Office or log on to my.ef.com to find out what’s been planned.
Excursions We organize day and weekend trips to the most famous cities and main attractions in the country, available throughout your stay. You’ll find these trips advertised in advance with posters around the school, as well as on My EF and Facebook. Simply sign up in the Activities Office, where you can find more information on all the excursions offered by your EF course center.
Independent travel If you’d like to travel by yourself, our Activities Team is always available to offer helpful advice and suggestions. You’ll also find guide books, magazines and folders full of useful information
about places to visit.
Items for sale
EF student card
You’ll find plug adapters, postcards, EF souvenirs, SIM cards for mobile phones and other useful items for sale in your school’s Activities Office.
You’ll be given your EF student card on the first day of school. Always keep it with you, as it will be used to identify you within the school or EF accommodation. You can usually use this card to get discounts around the city in restaurants, shops and attractions – find out more at your school’s Activities Office.
18+ activities The legal drinking age in many countries is 18 years old, although the exact age depends on the specific country you’re staying in. EF will host parties off-site. For some of these events, you must be the minimum drinking age or older to attend. You’ll need to show a valid ID, such as a passport or national identity card. Drink responsibly – and we recommend traveling home in a group for safety.
Sports equipment If you need sports equipment, check with the Activities Office to see if you can borrow things like footballs, tennis rackets or ping pong paddles and balls.
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Support \s
- port\ [support] We’re here to help you. Regardless of whether you have a question or just need some friendly advice.
Your school team 21
Raise your concerns, ask your important questions and let us know how we're doing we’re here to help you.
School Director The School Director is the head of the school and manages school operations and staff.
Residence Advisor Any queries regarding residence life should go to the Residence Advisor.
Director of Studies & Academic Director Talk to the Director of Studies regarding any academicrelated matters.
Accommodation Manager & Housing Director Any queries regarding host families should go straight to the Housing Director and manages school operations and staff.
Teachers If you think you’re in the wrong class level, let your teacher know – and they'll give you the support you need.
Our school code 22
You deserve the best experience – that’s why we have a school code. Follow our guidelines for the experience of a lifetime. Why have a code?
What happens if I break a rule?
Our school code was created together by EF school staff and students to make sure our campuses are happy places to be. It’s essential that you stick to the following guidelines at all times: please read carefully the the guidelines on the right page.
Our school code is important to us – but any national laws are much more serious. If you break any EF rules or local laws like persistent absence from class, disruptive behavior or a criminal offense, we reserve the right to terminate your course.
The elements of a successful course 23
To ensure maximum progress, speak your study language at all times.
Actively participate in class and complete all homework.
Attend all your lessons – you need at least 80% attendance to graduate and take the final language exam.
Arrive to class on time – you won’t be allowed in if you’re more than 10 minutes late.
If you’re going to miss a class because you’re sick or for any reason, let the school know immediately.
Keep your mobile phone switched off in class and don’t bring food or drinks to lessons.
Your property is special – and so is ours. Make sure you take care of it.
Always treat your fellow students, staff and homestay hosts with respect.
Most importantly, you must always follow all national and local laws.
Become an EF Ambassador 24
Earn rewards by simply sharing your EF experience. There’s no commitment – share as much or as little as you’d like. How it works
Travel
Join an international community of EF students and earn rewards by sharing your EF experience. Signing up is easy. Log on to the site my.ef.com/ambassador or to the Ambassador tab on your My EF profile to sign up. Any questions? Give your local EF office a call.
Earn enough points and we’ll send you to an International Ambassador Meeting, on a free course abroad or on next year’s globetrotting Ambassador Tour. Better renew your passport.
Share
Simply go to my.ef.com/ambassador or to the Ambassador tab on your My EF profile to sign up.
You’ll earn points simply by sharing the EF experience. There are many ways to spread your message – from simply posting things on Facebook to hitting the streets with EF flyers in-hand.
Earn Receive great rewards – like movie tickets, a new iPad or even a free language course abroad by gaining points through the activities you do and friends you recommend. Easy peasy.
Sign up
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“ Being an Ambassador is incredible. It gave me the chance to meet new friends and the big opportunity to fly to Zurich for the global meeting.” Andrea Beltrando EF New York
A year in the life of an EF Ambassador
Month 1
Month 3
Month 6
Month 9
Month 12
Become an EF Ambassador as soon as you enroll in your course. Simple as that.
Share all about EF with your friends – and invite them on your adventure of a lifetime.
Soak in your EF experience abroad. Tell your story and remember it all with a blog.
Attend a study abroad fair with EF’s staff – and tell everyone about your EF trip to earn rewards.
Join our top ambassadors at one of the International Ambassadors Meetings.
Things to remember 26
This contact information will come in handy during your stay. Be sure to fill it all in before you leave for your adventure abroad. My local EF office Address: Phone: E-mail: Skype: You can find the following information on My EF. My transfer service Address: Phone number: Emergency phone number: My EF school Address: Phone number: School director’s name: My accommodation Address: Phone number:
Notes 27
EF International Language Campuses Bureau de Bordeaux Tél. : 05 56 80 17 93 Fax : 01 42 86 09 91 ef.bordeaux@ef.com Tél. : 03 88 16 16 05 Fax : 03 88 16 17 89
Bureau de Nantes 2 allée Duquesne 44000 Nantes Tram: place du cirque Tél. : 0800 94 01 31 Fax : 01 42 86 09 91
Midi-Pyrénées Sophia Djemmali 29 bis rue Ingres 31130 Quint Fonsegrives Tél. : 05 61 23 63 94