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Language Travel Students aged 10-14 and 14-17

Student handbook The summer of your life www.ef.com/travel


Your adventure begins now Dear student and parents, Welcome to EF! This year will bring you unforgettable memories, new friendships and improved language skills. Are you ready for the time of your life? For many of our students, this is the first journey on their own – an exciting time for both them and their parents alike. Years of experience have taught us that the prospect of this journey raises many questions. How will the students manage on their own? Will they have fun? Will they find new friends? What will their leader be like? What about the homestay? This handbook is designed to answer your questions and help you prepare for your language travel adventure, and you’ll find all the practical information that you need. We encourage both you as student and your parents to take the time to read this guide carefully. Good preparation is the key to a successful experience abroad! To provide you with even more information we’ve created my.ef.com, an Internet community dedicated to you as an EF student. On page xx in this handbook we show you how to login to your personal account. Visit my.ef.com and discover all the information linked to your journey and meet some of the other students traveling with EF this summer. In order to send you

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Student Handbook 2018

your password and updates, we will need your email address so if your contact details address has changed lately, or if you know you haven’t given it to us, please send it to [lt@ef.com] as soon as possible. If you can’t find the answer to all your questions in this handbook or on my.ef.com, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help! Get in touch at [tel no] or by e-mail [e-mail address] and we’ll do our best to help you! See what’s happening in your EF destination right now on Snapchat! Find all our school Snapcodes at www.ef.com/snapchat Thank you and have a great trip! [CPM name] P.S. At EF we operate resorts, campuses and residential centres; they will all be referred to as residences throughout this handbook The prices of travel passes are correct at time of printing. Check on My EF™ for updated information closer to your departure.


Table of content 04 08 07 08 10

A trusted name in language travel Your Group, Your Trip Your Leaders Your Group Start your adventure

12 13 16 20

Feel at home abroad Your homestay Your residence Your EF discovery tour hotel

(Adapt to your county) 39 Erika insurance coverage 40 A message to parents 42 Your course at a glance

22 Learning at your EF school 26 Your activities 28 Some important rules

44 45 48 49 51 52 52 53 54 55

Your destination Great Britain Ireland Malta USA Canada Spain Germany France Australia

32 Preparing for your adventure 36 What to pack

56 After your course 58 Other products

www.ef.com/travel

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A trusted name in language travel 4

Student Handbook 2016


EF started bringing students abroad to study in a foreign school, live in a homestay with fluent speakers and learn a new language over 50 years ago. With a strong academic foundation and an established course setup, we constantly strive to improve by adding new and exciting destinations, fun activities and interesting course types. During these years we have grown into a reliable and global company with offices in more than 50 countries and we have had more than 4 million happy students learn a language with us. This year, it’s your turn to become part of the EF history! All EF students want to experience the same thing: learn a language, travel the world and meet new friends. So jump in!

Living in your new country is very different from what you’ve seen on TV shows and movies. As visitors to a new culture, we learn that cultural differences are merely different, not right or wrong. And while discovering the country, your first few days will be mixed with many feelings: excitement, happiness, fear, curiosity, confusion, joy and probably tiredness from your journey. Your EF Experience starts with its people. At home and abroad, you will meet EF staff who have been thoroughly trained and are dedicated to answering your questions and needs. EF is one of very few language travel companies who don’t leave your wellbeing up to an outside company. All our Destinations are monitored by committed professionals, many of whom have years of experience working with EF.

All our courses share the same aims: to give students cultural and social experiences of life in another country; to promote friendship and communication between students from different countries; and to improve students’ abilities to communicate in the language they are learning by: yy Building their confidence in a friendly learning environment yy Providing an international environment where English, [French, Spanish, German or Japanese – adapt to your sales offer] is the common language; yy Improving their fluency through conversation; yy Improving their accuracy through exercise. www.ef.com/travel

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A Message to parents Sending one’s child on a language course can be a nervous time for the student and also for the parents, especially it not this for the first time. EF Language Travel has many years of experience in this matter and you will find hereafter pieces of advice and recommendations which will help your child to spend a great course.

What is the next information you will get from EF? (Adapt to your county)

Check list for Parents - Things to check and think from now on  Inform the sales offices about allergies, special diets and medical conditions our teams should be aware of  Check that passport/travel documents are valid for the trip  French market: have you thought about filling the l’autorisation parentale’ and to give a copy of your ID/passsport ?  Fill in all relevant paperwork on time (release documents for specific activities : check page XXX)  Will your child’s mobile phone work in the destination? Do you need to adapt the offer you get from your mobile phone supplier for international calls?  Check the travel details (travel dates may be different from the dates in the brochure)  Does your child have everything he will need -check ‘what to pack’ on page XXX)  Has your child completed the online test? The deadline is 2 weeks before the course start.  Think about pocket money: credit card, cash, traveller’s checks?

 Cash will be needed during the travel day to buy some snacks and at the beginning of the course to buy the travel pass (check cost on p XX)  If your child is going on a residence course, are all meals included? If not, don’t forget to add pocket money for him/her to buy lunches or dinners (check the meal plan on the destination pages)  Consider buying extra activities before the trip: Fun Pack, Explore Pack, optional excursions, sport pack  Does your child know how to use a washing machine (and dryer)?  Go through the EF rules with your child, and sign the document, which you’ll need to give to the Leader at the airport. Help us by asking your child to respect all instructions given by the EF team even though your child might have more/less freedom at home and abide by different rules.

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yyInvoice timeline yyPre-departure meeting yyTravel details (by letter or on My EF – please adapt) yyAccommodation details (available on My EF


Preparing for your adventure

How can you help your child, especially during the first three days? yy The first few days are always the most difficult. Your child will arrive sometimes after a long journey in a new country and a new environment, and most of all, he/she would have met a lot of different people without always understanding all of them. yy Before the departure, inform your child that you won’t call him/her every day. Our long experience shows that this doesn’t help him/her getting settled in the country and within the group. Make sure to agree on the frequency and time of calls and don’t forget to check the time difference before calling. yy Help your child enjoy his/her trip, and gain as much experience and confidence as possible, by asking him/her to talk to their leader and/or the local office. Our leader will give his/her number to your child and your child can always call his/her leader. If there is something that needs to be solved yy Refrain from calling the leader yourself and call your EF office instead. If the leaders are on the phone with parents, they are not looking after your child and the other children under their supervision. yy The office in your country is your main point of contact and will efficiently deal with any issues. yy Don’t overreact to the situation. If you do, your child will think that something is wrong and will not enjoy his/her time abroad. Please call us at the EF office if you have any questions – we are always here to help. Remember that we are used to it: there are no silly questions. yy We always ask our students to inform their course leaders and the local EF staff about any issue they might encounter before calling their parents or the office in their home country. Why? The team in the destination have been trained to react quickly to questions or issues, and can resolve problems on site in a timely and efficient manner. yy In case of emergency from your side, please remember to contact your local EF office and not your child directly. Our emergency contact and ‘outside office hours’ number is XXX

This is the ideal line of communication to efficiently solve issues.

Student

Leader

Leader

Local office

Parents Sales office

Rights to photo and film material By accepting EF’s general conditions, you accept to grant EF the rights to freely use any photography, film or sound recording created by EF during the trip for promotion purposes, without any separate approval from you Many EF students will also get to create their own multimedia projects as a part of their course. EF will make available a website where students can upload their videos to share them with each other, and with others interested in studying abroad with EF.

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Your group, your trip 8

Student Handbook 2018


Your leaders

Course Leaders on Senior Courses

Your leaders are a very important part of EF and many of them return to travel with us year after year. They organize and supervise all activities for your group and will make sure you have the best summer of your life. They’re also here to make sure your trip is a safe one, this is why we ask you to respect all instructions and decisions coming from a leader. They’re the ones who can help you most while you’re in the Destination, as they are on the ‘ground’ with you.

International, Camps and Studios (excluding Malta) You will be supervised by one of the Course Leaders participating in the International Program. So most likely, it will be someone not speaking your language. This is why we recommend to have a minimum level of [English / French / German / Spanish / Japanese [adapt to your country] before joining an International course.

Our Leaders are carefully selected, thoroughly trained and specifically briefed to their course before it starts. They are also equipped with a manual put together by a team of EF experts who have worked with Language Travel in many capacities.

Course Leaders on other courses You will be supervised by your [nationality] Course Leader. On Junior courses, there will be a [supplementary Course Leader / assistant Leader] for groups over 17 students.

Teams of EF Leaders are allocated on the groups: Activity Leaders are recruited by the Local Team and will bring the local knowledge. Course Leaders are recruited by our sales office and travel with a group from their own country.

Course Leaders on an EF Discovery Tour You will have a Course Leader who speaks your language and stays with the group, as well as an EF Tour Director (instead of an Activity Leader) who is an expert trained in running the logistics of a tour, and will know the areas you are visiting very well.

Note that the nationality of the Course Leader allocated on your activity group will depend on your course type. Your [nationality] Course Leader is always available for you if you need help. There will be specific hours where you can meet at the school, and you can call him or her anytime.

The key thing to remember is to contact your Course Leader whenever it’s needed. The Course Leaders and the local team can reach the [nationality] office 24 hours a day, which means that in case of emergency, your parents can be contacted immediately. In your country also, there is a 24-hour number which your parents can call. [adapt to your country] www.ef.com/travel

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Your Group

Your Group Even if you have not booked your EF experience together with a friend, don’t worry, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet a lot of new friends, not only from your own country. The group you travel with At the departure airport, there will be a Course Leader or a transfer guide; simply follow their instructions for a smooth trip. The students and the Course Leader in this travel group may not be in your group in the destination, or may even go to another destination. If your Course Leader isn’t traveling with you, then you will meet him or her in your destination. You will travel with an electronic ticket (no paper ticket). Your Leader or transfer guide will have the information for the whole group. Your group on a Class Style Course Who will be with you in class and in your activity group will in fact depend on your course type, your age group and your destination. It can be that your new friends are from your own country. Nevertheless, in Europe, during the busiest part of the summer, you will also get the chance to meet new friends from other countries, during some of the activities, like the discos or the arena, or at Mega parties. It can also be that you will be mixed with students from other nationalities. It doesn’t mean that you will be the only one speaking your language in your class, it all depends on the levels of all the students. We aim to have at least three different languages in a class, depending on ability levels. Please note that we can’t guarantee a maximum number of students speaking the same language (once again, it depends on all students level and we need to be consistent with the average class level). Your Group on an EF Camp and Studio In your Camp sessions you will be mixed with students from other nationalities. It doesn’t mean that you will be the only one speaking your language, but we aim to have at least three different languages in each session. Please note though that we can not guarantee a maximum number of students speaking the same language. The Camp sessions will be led by a Professional Mentor who is an expert in the Camp track that you’ve chosen (such as football, water sports or horse-riding).

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The Studio sessions will be led by EF teachers, and include both EF books and content specific to the selected Studio. Your Group on an EF Discovery Tour On an EF Discovery Tour, you and your travel companions from [country], will be traveling together with students from at least one other country. The language spoken on the Tour will always be English, and there will at times be two or more buses traveling together. You will always be staying in the same hotel as the Leaders and Tour Director on your bus . They are available for you 24 hours a day for anything you need! Traveling with a friend If you are traveling with a friend and have requested to be placed in the same homestay / room in residence, please note that you might not be placed together in the same class as this will depend on your level and the nationality mix. Moreover, if you’re on an International Course, (except in Malta) it means that you might not be in the same activity group either. But we do our best to ensure that you have classes at the same time (for example, in mornings or afternoons). In Malta, because activities are run by nationality, you will be with your friend in the same activity group. Your Group on an Immersion course Students will be placed in different families, located in the same area, but not necessarily in the same town or community. You will meet your Course Leader once a week, for the weekly group activity. You can not be placed in the same HF as one of your friends from your country. But there may be other EF students in your host family.


Your trip and your arrival

Starting Your Adventure Travel days might be different from the dates in the brochure because of flight adjustments. Check your invoice and your travel document. Traveling to your group departure meeting point (please adapt according to your country, thinking about the following blue bullet points) yy Don’t forget your travel documents at home (see p. XX for more details) yy Make sure you arrive early at the meeting point. Plan accordingly, with some spare time in case there’s an incident on the road or in the public transport network on your way to the airport. yy In case of domestic transfers organized by EF, how does it work? Is it group or individual? Is it escorted? yy In case of overnights, how does overnight stays work? Does EF always book the accommodation? yy What’s included and not in the overnight hotel at airport?

Meeting with the group (please adapt according to your country, thinking about the following points – for Eurostar as well for FRP courses) yy Are there designated meeting points for EF or is this defined per group via the course leader? yy How does a student spot their group at the departure meeting point? yy What’s the registration procedure for students arriving at the meeting point? yy What rules do students need to follow after joining the group at the meeting point? yy Food, bathroom break, shopping at departure meeting point? yy Waiting time? yy Check-in procedures? Tickets/boarding cards? Luggage? yy Going to the departure gates

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Your trip and your arrival

Traveling by plane yy Once you get your flight details, please check their luggage policy with the airline company (number of luggage, maximum weight, size, etc.) yy Meals: you will always be served meals on longhaul flights. For shorter flights, it depends on the airline, and it can be everything from a meal, to a snack, or nothing. In any case, we recommend that you bring a snack with you or take some money to buy some snacks during your traveling day. You can’t bring any drinks through the security check (Check the liquid policy on p. XX) yy Keep your seat: when traveling by plane, it’s important you keep your allocated seat. It is for safety reasons, and it’s also important if you have ordered a special meal yy Connecting flights: If you have a connecting flight with your group, please follow the instructions of the leader/transfer guide yy Immigration card: on flights towards some countries, like USA and Australia, you will have to fill in an Immigration Card. Be extremely careful with your answers as Immigration officers might refuse your entry to the country if you don’t answer seriously. If you need help, please ask the Course Leader traveling with you on the flight. yy Item declaration card: when flying to Australia, remember to declare any prohibited items, such as food, plant animal matter or wooden products. Failure to do so may involve penalty fines. It is best not to carry any of these prohibited items. Traveling by Eurostar (for FRP courses – please enter info) yy Meal: there’s no meal served in Eurostar, but there’s a cafeteria where you can buy food and drinks yy Liquid: there’s no liquid restriction on Eurostar yy [Additional information for FRP courses] yy [Additional information for FRP courses] Arriving to the destination country (FRP – please add info about Eurostar) Upon arrival, your Course Leader will take you through immigration and luggage collection. The entire group has to go through customs together so there might be some waiting at the luggage collection point before everyone has received their luggage. To facilitate the arrival procedure at larger airports, you will be greeted by EF staff member at the arrivals hall. There, you might have to wait for other students (maximum 2 hours), on different flights, before traveling onwards to your Destination (or first hotel on an 12 Student Handbook 2018

EF Discovery Tour). Always stay with your group and Course Leader while waiting. When everyone on the same transfer has arrived, the EF staff member will take you and your group to the vehicle transferring you to your Destination. Traveling to your Destination You will be traveling to the Destination on a coach, a mini bus or by a taxi organized by EF. Some transfers to the Destination can take up to 5 hours, depending on your final destination, so remember to bring local currency with you so you can buy snacks along the way. It’s important that you follow all safety instructions given by the driver and the leader on the vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory on all transfers including coaches and you should stay seated at all times. Arrival to your Destination On an homestay course, depending on your destination, 3 different scenarios are possible: yyYou will be brought to an arrival event where you will meet EF staff and other students. You will have the opportunity to participate in games, or rest, until your hosts come and pick you and their other students. yyYour hosts will come and pick you up directly at the arrival point in your destination. If you arrive at night, you will transported by EFbooked taxis from the arrival point to your hosts. Courses to USA: depending on your landing time and if you are staying with hosts, your group might have to stay overnight in a hotel due to the distance between the airport and the Course Town. The distance between the airport and your American Course Town can range between 45 minutes and 4 hours. This overnight stay is included in the course fee On a Residence course, you may also attend an arrival event where you will meet your new friends and follow a tour of the Residence before the rooms are ready, usually after lunch time. Don’t forget to call home


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Feel at home abroad 14 Student Handbook 2018


Your homestay

Homestay selection We carefully select our homestay hosts, visiting them for a first inspection and then regularly for reinspection. We also provide them with a handbook explaining what we expect from them. Many of them have been working with EF for many years and the vast majority of our new homestays are referred to us through experienced hosts.They are also evaluated through the student final questionnaire filled in at the end of your course. You will get your homestay contact details no later than 8 days before arrival. Expect many things to be different in your homestay, compared to your life at home • Your hosts won’t change their habits and their way of life, you will have to integrate with their daily life. This is what makes the experience exciting. • You may find it difficult to understand your hosts during the first days; this is normal as you’re there to improve your language capacities. Don’t worry, and don’t be afraid of mistakes. You should never hesitate to ask them to repeat. They will understand what you want to say in the end. • Your hosts may live in an apartment, a one floor home, a condominium, or a house, probably not the same size as the one you have at home • The accommodation, and your bedroom, may be smaller and differently decorated from your own • You may have to share a bedroom and get organised to use the shared bathroom • 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. • Among EF hosts there are people of all ages; including young professionals, middle-aged or retired people, couples without children, families or single parents with children of any age, single people. • 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. • Don’t expect all hosts to live the life you see on TV or in the movies. For instance, in USA, most homestays do not have a a swimming pool or a large house.

Don’t forget that living this new experience is one of the reasons why it’s interesting to travel and discover new cultures. Some important tips • You are a representative of your country so good behavior and good manners are always expected • Words like “thank you” and “please” always make a good impression • Never speak [market language] when spending time with the your hosts – it’s considered rude • A host can not guess what you feel or what you would like, unless you speak to them in their language. • If you are not sure about good manners in your new country, you can ask your Course Leader • You should always keep your room clean • Perhaps, you can ask your hosts if you can help them out, like washing up dishes after dinner • If you want, you could bring something nice from your country to your homestay. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but something traditional is always appreciated. • To help conversation flow on the first days, you could also take some photos of your family, friends and home country and look through them with your hosts. (Do not bring food from your home country since you might be stopped at customs). EF students in homestays A family can host up to 4 EF students at a time. Except in the USA, families only host either boys or girls. Normally two students share a room, but if the room is big enough, there can be three students in the same bedroom. Meals If you’re allergic to some food or have a special diet, you need to inform us, in order for us to find and place you in the most suitable homestay. Your hosts will provide you with: • Breakfast: you can expect a hot drink and usually a juice, and some toast or cereals • Pack lunch: your hosts will give it to you before you leave their home for school or for the activities. It usually contains a sandwich, a drink and a dessert (fruit, cookie, chocolate bar and so on).

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Your homestay

• Evening meal: it will usually consist of a main course and a dessert (either a fruit, or a piece of cake, or a flavored yogurt, etc). Good to know • The quantities served at each meal might also vary from what’s usual in your own country. For instance, if you are used to a bigger lunch, it might be a good idea to bring some extra pocket money to complement your lunch. yy Don’t help yourself in the fridge, always ask for the permission first. Otherwise, this is very impolite and might upset your hosts. yy You will probably be served things you are not used to, or maybe discover new food. Be ready to taste it, with a smile. If needed, you can then explain to your host that it doesn’t correspond to your tastes. yy Your hosts may not always be able to gather for dinner, or they may have different habits or different routines. yyIf you can’t make dinnertime one evening because of late EF activities, don’t forget to inform your homestay, as they will be waiting for you. Towels and bed linen: Your homestay will provide you with towels and bed linen. But don’t forget to bring your beach towel, for the beach or the swimming pool. Germany: towels are not provided during the Münich stay. Bathroom use As there will be guests (you and your new friends) in the homestay, a bathroom use schedule will probably be necessary. It means that everyone in the home will need to agree on who uses the bathroom when. Remember, you’re not the only one there, and there might be a limited hot water quantity available at any time because of the capacity of water heater. So don’t be surprised if your hosts mention this to you. Travel pass You will need to buy a travel pass to travel with your group to the different local points of interest. Even if you can walk from your homestay to the school, you will need to buy one to attend the different activities. Please check the Destination section for your Destination and the travel pass prices on p. xx. Your maximum travel time between your homestay and the EF school will be 1 hour. This includes all ways of transport (walking, bus, underground) 16 Student Handbook 2018

In the USA, hosts often live in the “suburbs” or small towns surrounding the course centre. Hosts will drop-off/pick-up their students at the school or at a designated bus stop. Transportation might be provided by school buses (check the Your Destination section p. xx for travel pass cost). Remember that most hosts do not live near public transportation so, if you would like to go somewhere, you will likely need to ask the homestay for a lift. Hosts are busy and may not always be able to transport you where you want to go. Please keep in mind that your homestay hosts are not a ‘taxi service’! Laundry Your homestay will wash a reasonable amount of your laundry every week. If you have a lot of washing, you will need to visit a launderette (make sure you know how to use a washing machine before you travel). In the US if you have additional laundry to do, ask your hosts if you can use their washing machine and dryer. Be sure to ask your hosts to show you how the washing machine and dryer work before attempting to operate either one yourself. House key You might not always get your own house key, or you may have a shared key with your roommates. If you have a key, keep it in a safe place. If you lose it, you will need to pay for new locks, which can be quite expensive. If you’re not given any key, a member of the family will be there at set times convenient with your activity schedule. Damages If you damage something in the house, always inform the leader and the homestay as soon as it happens. The issue can usually be solved, as accidents do happen every once in a while. All damages have to be paid while you are on the course. In absence of any witnesses, all roommates will be held responsible for the costs. Once you have refunded the homestay, your parents can contact their insurance for possible refunds. Pets A lot of our hosts enjoy the company of a pet: dogs and cats, but also birds, rabbits, hamsters and more. If you are greatly afraid of any animals or allergic you need to inform your office in your country as early as possible so you can be placed accordingly. In case of allergy, make sure you state the right degree of your allergies so we can ensure an appropriate placement. Phone


Your homestay

With the increasing use of mobile phones, some of our hosts may not have a landline. If there is a phone, you should ask for the host’s permission. If any costs are incurred, they will need to be paid by you or your parents. Otherwise you can buy a local phone card and use a phone booth or your parents can contact you directly at your homestay. As soon as you arrive, make sure to agree on a time they can call you, taking into account your lessons, activities and the time difference (very important if you are staying in the US or Australia)! SIM cards are easy to purchase locally at convenience stores or supermarkets, except in Spain and Australia where you need to be at least 18 years old to buy a SIM card. Check with your parents the best solution for using your own mobile phone, if you have one, abroad. Internet / WiFi Please note that some of our hosts might have not have internet at home. And if they do have, it might not be wireless connection. You will have access to Internet in the school and EF Lounge (where applicable) Inviting friends You should always ask your homestay hosts before inviting friends over. Locking luggage Keep your expensive belongings (cameras, iPods, cash, etc) in a locked suitcase. If anything happens to them, no insurance will refund you if they were not securely locked. Some important tips yy You will be staying in a home and living as a member of a family. Remember that you are also a representative of your country so good behaviour and good manners are always expected.You will be probably a bit nervous to meet your hosts for the first time. Don’t worry, they will equally be excite and nervous to meet you. If you don’t understand something - which is normal - ask them to repeat. It’s better than saying ‘yes’ and smile, to whatever the question is. yy If you are not sure about good manners in your new country, you can ask your Course Leader yy You should always keep your room clean yy Perhaps, you can ask your hosts if you can help them out, like washing up dishes after dinner yy Also remember that words like “thank you” and “please” always make a good impression yy Never speak [market language] when spending time with the your hosts – it’s considered rude

yy A host can not guess what you feel or what you would like, unless you speak to them in their language. Don’t be afraid of mistakes, they will understand what you want to say yy If you want, you could bring something nice from your country to your homestay. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but something traditional is always appreciated. And to help conversation flow on the first days, you could also take some photos of your family, friends and home country and look through them with your hosts. Do not bring food from your home country since you might be stopped at customs. ou may feel a bit homesick during the first days, this Y is normal. If this happens, call your Course Leader and discuss the situation, he/she will be able to help you better than your parents because you are together in the Destination. You will get your homestay contact details no later than 8 days before arrival. If you are going to the US or Canada You will receive a separate package informing you of steps you should take to prepare for your trip. A medical release form needs to be signed by your parents/ legal guardian and a vaccination record to be filled in as well. If you are staying with a homestay in the USA, you will be asked to fill out an online application form available on my.ef.com. See more details in the section ‘Preparing for departure’ on p. xx. It is important to be very thorough and honest when filling out your application. If you’re going to France Your parents will have to fill in a health certificate. This is compulsory and required by the French Ministry of Youth for all minors traveling to France without their parents, on language courses or holiday camps. If you are going on an Immersion Course You will have organized EF activities once per week, but otherwise the days will be filled with your host family. Students that choose an immersion course should expect to experience normal family routines. Please note that students going on an immersion course to Ireland will have to fill in an application form. For students going to USA on an immersion course, please see the paragraph above (If you are going to US or Canada)

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Your Residence Living in a residence guarantees that you will make a lot of new friends! Course Leaders will be accommodated in the same centre as you, and you can therefore contact them very easily.

There are always only boys or girls in bedrooms. In most residences, students will be placed in their rooms by nationality, even if they have chosen an International course.

EF Residences are all varied, depending on your choice of destination, and can be anything from a countryside traditional Boarding Schools to a University Campus, or a hotel accommodation. In some residences, there will be other holidaymakers, or students from other language schools, on site.

Meals EF Residences are either full board or half board. Please go to your your Destination page to check the meal plan. Often the breakfast is continental, meaning toast & cereals & hot drink, and the dinner is a buffet style. Depending on the residence, if this is full board, lunch can vary from a seated lunch in a canteen/restaurant to a packed lunch consisting of a sandwich, a drink and a desert (fruit or chocolate bar). in all cases, drinks will be available during meals only.

Rooms and bathrooms Bedroom sizes and bathroom types depend on each Residence. Please go to your Destination page to know more about your Residence. Note that you will not be able choose the type of room you’d like. Roommates You will get to know who you are sharing with upon arrival. If you want to share with a friend, don’t forget to let your office in your country know as soon as possible. For your own safety, you are not allowed to change rooms without the permission of the EF centre staff and your leader. 18 Student Handbook 2018

Travel pass In some residences, you will have to buy a travel pass, either because lessons are not held on site or because you will use it for activities. Check the Destination section for your Destination on p. xx. Bed Linen Bed linen is provided by all residences.


Your residence

Towels and cleaning Check the Destination section for your Destination on p.XX to see if you need to bring towels and what is the standard for cleaning in your Residence.. You should always bring a beach towel to your Residence. Laundry There may be a laundromat nearby which you can use at your own expenses. [FRP: adapt previous sentence] Make sure to ask your parents to show you how to use a washing machine if you have never used one before and don’t wash fragile clothing. Tip: also bring some hand wash detergent, as this might be useful sometimes. Key and damage deposit Students don’t always get their own key to the room; sometimes they must share it with other students. Some residences collect a key and damage deposit from each participant on the day of arrival. It has to be paid in the currency of the destination and it will be returned to you on the last day after the room check to see if there’s no damage, like stains, broken furniture and so on. You’ll also need to return your room key if you’ve been given one. Note that if damage occurs in one room, without a witness, all roommates will be held equally responsible. The same applies to communal areas. Students need to have the following amount available, in the local currency, upon arrival.

The amounts are as follows UK

no deposit

Ireland

no deposit

Australia

$50AUD

Malta

60€

Germany

60€

USA France Spain

about 100US$ 20€ (Paris stay hotels) 50€

In some of EF’s junior residences the dorm rooms are not lockable due to safety reasons. Students are not provided with a key but a damage deposit is still charged. This will be returned upon departure if there are no damages. Accidents can happen – please make sure to let your leader know as soon as you find any damage. All damages have to be paid while you are on the course. Once you have refunded the residence, your parents can contact their insurance for possible refunds. Locking luggage Keep your expensive belongings (cameras, Ipods, cash, etc) in a locked suitcase. If anything happens to them, no insurance will refund you if they were not securely locked. Phone EF residences normally have phones you can use with a pre-paid card. If you have a mobile phone, we recommend that your parents check if they can provide you with international calls on your mobile phone or that you purchase an international SIM card locally at convenience stores or supermarkets. Please note that this is not possible in Spain where you need to be 18 years old to buy a SIM card. In case of emergency, your parents are also able to leave messages for you. [adapt] Internet / Wifi Internet / wifi is available free of charge at least in some designated areas of the EF residences. Internet / wifi is available at the EF school and in the EF lounge (where applicable). Special Residence rules Each EF residence has its own rules (curfews, meal times, smoking rules, etc). You will receive a set of these rules upon arrival. EF rules apply as normal (see p. xx) if unless otherwise specified. Any violation of these rules (and of the local laws, like for homestay students), can lead to repatriation. We won’t be able to place you in another residence if the local responsible decides you have to go back home. You will receive the address of your EF residence 2 weeks before departure. www.ef.com/travel 19


Your Hotel

Your EF Discovery tour Hotel During your EF Discovery Tour, you will be staying in a new hotel in every city that you visit. Your Course Leaders and Tour Director will be accommodated in the same hotel as you, and you can therefore contact them very easily. EF hotels are all varied, and can be anything from a small family-run hotel to a large chain hotel (eg. Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn). The hotels have all been chosen according to safety, location and quality criteria and are often on the outskirts of the cities that you visit – however, we always make sure the hotels work well with your itinerary and all transportation to and from the hotel (by bus or public transportation) is included in your tour. Rooms and bathrooms Depending on the hotel you are staying in, room sizes can vary from single rooms to quadruple rooms of various sizes. You will not be able choose the type of room you’d like, but most often you will be staying with two or three other students in a room. You will also be sharing a bathroom with the other students in your room. Bathrooms and toilets can be en-suite or located near the rooms but are always just for the students in your room. Towels and linens are always provided, but soap and shampoo may not be provided. Roommates Who you are sharing with is likely to change a few times during the trip and you will find out upon arrival at your hotel. If you want to share with a friend, don’t forget to let your office in your country know as soon as possible. For your own safety, you are not allowed to change rooms without the permission of the EF Tour Director and your leader. There are always only boys or girls in rooms. Meals Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your EF Discovery Tour. yy Breakfast – always provided at the hotel, the type of breakfast will vary between different hotels and countries. EF guarantees at least a continental breakfast, which typically includes bread rolls, jam, cereal and milk and coffee/tea. 20 Student Handbook 2018

yy Lunch – this is either arranged at a restaurant, or given out as a cash allowance by your Tour Director (€ 10/ lunch in Europe, US$ 10/ lunch in the U.S.). When a cash allowance is given, this will be in an area where you have some choice of food. Water is provided on the table. yy D inner – a two course meal is provided either at the hotel restaurant, or at a restaurant in the city center. The menus are designed to appeal to as many students as possible, and at times you will also be served local dishes (eg. fish and chips in the UK, hamburgers in the US). Water is provided on the table. Cruise: If your Tour includes a cruise at the end, there will also be three meals a day (including water) during the cruise. Students can choose to purchase an additional all-inclusive drinks package if they wish to do so. Key and damage deposit Students don’t always get their own key to the room; sometimes they must share it with other students. Some hotels will collect a key and damage deposit from each student on the day of arrival. It has to be paid in the currency of the destination and it will be returned to you on the last day after the room check if there’s no damage, like stains and broken furniture. You must also return your room key if you’ve been given one. Note that if damage occurs in one room, without a witness, all roommates will be held equally responsible, the same applies to communal areas. Students need to have the following amount available, in the local currency, upon arrival. The amounts are as follows


Your Hotel

Accidents can happen – please make sure to let your Course Leader know as soon as you find any damage. All damages have to be paid while you are on the Tour. Once you have paid/re-imbursed the hotels, your parents can contact their insurance for possible refunds. Locking luggage Keep your expensive belongings (cameras, iPods, cash, etc) in a locked suitcase. If anything happens to them, no insurance will refund you if they were not securely locked. Phone Some hotels will have phones you can use with a pre-paid card. If you have a mobile phone, we recommend that your parents check if they can provide you with international calls on your mobile phone or that you purchase an international SIM card locally at convenience stores or supermarkets. In case of emergency, your parents are also able to leave messages for you. [adapt] Internet Wireless or plug-in internet is usually available at EF hotels at a cost. Please consult the reception for more information on this. Hotel rules Each hotel has its own rules (curfews, meal times, tobacco, etc) which your Tour Director will tell you about upon arrival. EF rules apply as normal (see p. xx) unless otherwise specified. Any violation of these rules (and of the local laws), can lead to repatriation. You will receive the addresses of your EF hotels two weeks before departure.

UK

£30

France

35€

Italy

35€

Greece USA Australia

35€ 100US$ $50

www.ef.com/travel 21


Learning at your EF School 22 Student Handbook 2018


Learning at your EF school

Efekta Learning™ Your course is an effective and exciting mix of EF Efekta™ Action Learning materials which have been developed exclusively for younger learners to get you communicating in English with your teachers, leaders and classmates inside and outside of the classroom What is EF Action Learning™? Our learning is practical and hands on, with useful relevant language that you will be able to try out immediately in the Course Town where you study through practising your English with friends you make and people you meet to build your confidence in real use.

and approved by your teacher with an EF stamp. This is also where you put the passport points you can earn for achievements in class and on activities which can be exchanged for EF prizes in your course town. 2) Your Record of Achievement which will show all of the classes and learning you and your group completed on the course. 3) Your Certificate of Achievement will show your language level at the end of your course from our internationally recognised EFELT test.

Learning begins in the classroom work where you study with expert teachers and our EF Fast Track or GO! course books lead you on to explore the language with Action Learning Projects and Tasks beyond the classroom with your Passport to Learn reporting back on it in class.

Online Placement Test We want you to be in the right class, with the right course book and teacher. So before you travel you must take our online placement test in My EF. Students coming from EF schools in their own country will not need to take this test.

You take your language outside the classroom with EF leaders to immerse yourself in the Course Town and culture of the country where you are studying on activities and excursions.

This is a timed 40 minutes test you must do alone on a computer, or phone without help or guidance from anyone else. This test includes some listening, reading and grammar questions all taken at one time. We recommend that you use headphones and take your test in a quiet environment as you will want to focus on doing your best.

To support your learning you’ll use a combination of books, worksheets and online content (where applicable). In schools with free wifi students on senior courses may use their mobile phones with EF materials for some parts of the lesson. All through the course you will achieve an increase in confidence in using English see real results at the end. Don’t forget, for any EF course to be successful, we need you to make some effort too and not just speak to people from your own country in your own language. We know it’s easier and it comes as a reflex but you’ll improve so much more when you speak a lot in English. Your learning achievement and Results We will help you see your language learning achievement and results. We will give you take-home results to prove what you have learned in three ways: 1) Your passport to learn where you set and track your own goals and record your achievements signed

How does the EF schedule work? You will have four lessons of 40 minutes per half day, every week-day you’re in the Course Town. If you’re on an International Plus, Intensive or Abi course, you’ll have six lessons of 40min. Your lessons will be in the morning on some days and the afternoons on others, with activities in the other part of the day. In most US Course Towns you will have five lessons of 40 minutes, four days a week, to allow for extra excursions during the week. You will start classes the day after arrival with the ‘International Traveller’ lesson where your teacher will be checking your level through speaking tasks with your classmates while you are introduced to learning in your destination country.

www.ef.com/travel 23


Learning at your EF school

From the next lesson you will begin using the EF Fast Track or GO! course books. Efekta Action Learning Facts Teachers will be teaching directly in the language you are studying with specially designed and chosen material to best help you. The EF Efekta™ learning system follows a taskbased learning approach, which means that you will be asked to produce language – either in written or spoken form – each day when you’re in class. You’ll also be working closely with your classmates because we know that communication is key to consolidating new language. Your teacher will explain the EF International Traveller rules in your first class and you will make a classroom contract with your classmates so that you can all study in safe positive learning environment under the guidance and support of your teachers. You will have to attend class each day, and on time, and show respect for your fellow students and EF Staff. You may be disciplined if you cannot keep to these fundamental rules. Over the course you will make a group project to to present to your class at the end of the course. For senior groups this is usually a group video based made from pictures and videos you shoot over the course. For Junior courses, you will complete an arts and crafts project. EF Teachers We are very proud of the EF Teachers on all of our courses. All have a native level of English are certified with professional qualifications in teaching English as a Foreign Language plus extra training in using EF’s Efekta System. General, Intensive and Abi courses One of your teachers, will be from your own country and will have been recruited by your [nationality] office. He or she is trained in the examination and knows about learning English in your country to be able to focus on specific important points.

24 Student Handbook 2018

EF Camps EF Camps are led by Professional Mentors, who have a background and passion in your chosen Camp subject. You will not have classroom language lessons and you will not use the Fast Track or GO! books. Study will be based around your Camp track and will take place indoors or outdoors in venues which are suitable for the subject. Your mentors will use your Passport to Learn and EF Language Leaning Material in at least one session every day but the primary way you will be learning English is taking part and building yours skills in the camp subject together with your coursemates. EF Studio On an EF Studio course half of your time will be in language lessons with EF course books led by EF teachers and the other half will be linked studio sessions with a Professional Mentor working with you on the studio track. This course is a balance between EF Efekta Classroom learning and improving your skills in your chosen interest all the time working on communication with your classmates, teachers, professional mentors and leaders. Our Camp and Studio Courses each have their own projects such as making a play, vlog or a being in horse riding show depending in the course type.


Learning at your EF school

www.ef.com/travel 25


Your activities 26 Student Handbook 2018


Your activities

[EEP countries – please adapt] Your language courses will include many different activities, you can check on My EF what’s included for your Course Town: yyFull-day or half-day excursions yySports days yyEvening activities Activities will take place when you are not in class, such as mornings and afternoons, in the evenings and during the week-ends. As they’re organized to ensure you make the most of your course, you will need to attend them. This is for your own safety as well. You have a chance to participate in numerous activities and excursions. Before your trip, for some destinations, you can book a ready-made activity package, or a sport option, known as a Packs. Easy! You won’t have to buy all the activities separately (which is more expensive anyway) and run around with cash! These packs are ideal if you want to have fun and explore all aspects of your destination. A vast majority of students buy these packs before they travel, so don’t hesitate and join them! Check what’s available in your Destination in the Destination section and on my.ef.com.

during the week-ends. In Australia, evenings and Sunday’s are spent with your homestay hosts and, aside from your city stay excursion (Gold Coast) there are no planned group activities during these times. In all our destinations, activities may be subject to changes because of weather conditions or cancellation from the supplier. If this happens, we will always try to organize the activity another day or organize a replacement activity. Sometimes, we may also have to cancel some activities if there is a required minimum number of participants which is not reached. In the immersion program, students enjoy the majority of their time with their host families, practicing English while immersing themselves in the culture. In addition, EF organizes one fun and educational group activity for the students each week. It may happen that some host families can take students on short daytrips.

Note that booking a sport pack must be done before the departure, with the office in your country. In many Destinations, the local team will offer you to book and pay for the optionals you will want to take part in during the first days of the course, for obvious organisation reasons. Make sure you bring some money in the local currency, especially because money exchange may not be possible on the day of arrival. Please note that in North America, exchange centers might not be easily found in small towns and, in certain cities, banks will only exchange money for their own clients. To make it easy, you can pay your optional excursions with traveler’s cheques, major credit cards or cash. In the USA and Canada, evenings and weekends are spent with your homestay hosts and, aside from one optional weekend excursion, which is not included in the course price, there are no planned group activities www.ef.com/travel 27


Some important rules 28 Student Handbook 2018


Some Iimportant Rules

It might be the first time you’re going abroad, alone, without your parents or family. This is very exciting, and maybe a little bit frightening for some of you. You will probably do more things on your own than when you’re at home, like managing your pocket money and your travel in the Destination. This is going to be a great experience. But we want your language course to be a safe and enjoyable time as well. That is why we have a special set of rules that apply to all of our students – even if you’re over 18 years of age. Please read these rules carefully together with your parents to make sure you are aware of the main rules on this journey. You will find in the appendix a copy of these rules and both you and your parents must read them and accept the rules by signing them. It is mandatory to bring the document with you to the airport/ train station on the day of departure and hand it over to the EF Representative. Leaders are in charge Your Leaders are responsible for you during your course. You should always respect their judgment in all situations. They are there to make your trip safer and more enjoyable. Because you are traveling with a group, you will have to adapt to the life of the group and follow leaders’ instructions. EF Residences EF Residences may have their own additional rules and regulations that you have to respect. You will get information on rules and regulations upon arrival. Dress code Please dress appropriately in every occasion and observe local dress codes (for example in school, churches, during big city visits and also during the evening activities). Big city Visits During big city visits you should always be in a group or with your Leader, you are never allowed to travel alone. Remember always to be on time and keep your valuables in a safe place. Local rules and regulations You will need to abide by local rules and laws of the country you travel to. Any student engaging in illegal activity will be sent home at the student’s own expense

You must attend all your classes All students are required to attend all lessons. In case you get ill and cannot make it to school, inform your leader before classes start. Always check in for activities All students are required to ‘check in’ with their Leader for every activity. In case you get ill and cannot make it to the activity, inform your Leader before the session starts. We need to know of your whereabouts at all times in case of emergency. Smoking All EF schools, residences and other facilities you will be using have a non-smoking policy. The UK, Ireland, Malta, France, Germany and Spain and most US and Australian States have a smoking ban in public places. You will need to abide by the local rules and laws: for instance, that it is illegal to purchase cigarettes under the age of 18 in the following countries; UK, Ireland, Malta, France, Canada, USA (most states), Australia, Spain and Germany. If you are going to USA or Australia, you need to tell us if you smoke, as most hosts do not permit smoking in the home, or even outside their house. If you do smoke, please check with your homestay and Course Leader or Tour Guide about their rules. Please abide by the rules related to smoking in your homestay, in the EF school, and within the community. It’s strictly forbidden to smoke on all Junior courses. The smoking policy on EF courses also include electronic cigarettes. Tattoos and piercings Getting tattoos or body piercings is prohibited while on an EF course. Hitchhiking You are not allowed to hitchhike or accept a lift from a stranger. If you are caught, you will be sent home at your own expense without a warning. Shoplifting Shoplifting is theft and is regarded as a serious crime. If you are caught stealing, from a shop or any other person, you will be sent home at your own expense without a warning. If your case goes to court you will also be liable to cover all the trial costs. In some cases you might not be allowed back in to the country for several years (USA). www.ef.com/travel 29


Some important rules

Bullying and threatening behaviour You are expected to treat your course mates, your Leaders and other people with respect. Any violent, insolent or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated or accepted, including wearing a weapon. The same thing applies to any attitude which would prevent the smooth running of the course. Misbehaving might lead to you being sent back home. Alcohol and Drugs Purchase, possession and consumption of alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited for all EF students – even if you are over 18 years of age. For safety reasons we will send home any student who breaks this rule at the student’s own expense (including transfer, flights and, if relevant, cost of accompanying EF Staff). There are no refunds for any part of the course in this instance. Damages If you cause damage to someone else’s property, be it to your homestay’s house, in the EF school, venues, or in the residence or in any other facilities we’re using, you will be liable to pay for damages before leaving the Course Town. Remember to check your travel insurance for liability coverage. Read more about the Erika Insurance Coverage on page xx. Leaving the Destination If you wish to leave your Destination with relatives or family friends, you’ll need to have written permission from your parents. They will need to submit a Student Release Form to the EF office in your country. For Australia, the Student Release Form needs to be submitted a week prior to your upon arrival in the Course Town. For USA, the form needs to be submitted at least two weeks prior to your arrival at the Course Town. For the other countries, it’s needed at the latest 3 days before the student leaves the Course Town. In all countries, at pick-up, the relative needs to show a valid ID matching with the data on the form and confirm the date and time for your return to the EF program.

30 Student Handbook 2018

If you break the rules If you break the rules, disciplinary steps can lead to being sent home at your own expense. For instance, EF policies on dismissal from the program in the USA and Canada are clearly outlined in the terms and conditions page of the student application form. After a meeting with you and your leader, the decision to send you home will be made between the management teams in the destination and in your country. Your parents will then be informed. EF has the right to send you home without negotiations if you risk your own or other’s safety by your actions or if you break the law. [NOTE TO MARKETS: Please copy here any rules that you might have in your sales terms and conditions regarding repatriation, etc. If not, note what is common practice in your country. Check with your sales manager before printing!] Curfew times At EF, except in the USA, Canada and in Sydney and Gold Coast, you will participate to evening activities, supervised by your leaders. But we have set up curfew times, to make your trip safer. If you are about to be delayed, we request that you inform your homestay host or Leader as soon as possible. These times will apply unless other time specified by centre staff and leaders


Some important rules

UK and Ireland Homestay Juniors (10-14) Seniors (14-18)

home by 22.00 home by 23.00

Residences Each centre has its own curfew times. The information will be given in the centre. Germany 14+ home by 23.00 France 14+ home by 23.00 (there might be a later curfew for some EF evening activities. Students will be informed in the destination) Spain Mรกlaga 14+ home by 24.00 Malta (homestay and residences) Juniors home by 22.00 (Sunday to Thursday) home by 23.00 (Fridays and Saturdays) Seniors home by 23:00 (Sunday to Thursday) home by 00.00 (Fridays and Saturdays) USA, Canada and Australia The curfew times vary from one state to another and from family to family. You will get the exact times upon arrival.

www.ef.com/travel 31


Preparing for your adventure 32 Student Handbook 2018


Preparing for your adventure

Getting informed yy Before your departure, we will invite you to a predeparture meeting where we will explain many important facts about your future EF Language Course. These meetings will be available offline and online and attending one of them is mandatory. yy Please read this travel book thoroughly. You will find lots of useful information and tips. yy Visit My EF and My EF for parents to make all necessary preparations. My EF for students (www.my.ef.com) My EF™ is a social network exclusively for students who will travel, or have been traveling with EF. When you booked your trip, an email with log in details was sent to the email address you gave us as the student’s email. At My EF™ (http://my.ef.com) you can: yy See My Trip: Here you find contact details of your homestay or address of your residence, the letter from your leader and your flight details. It will be published approximately 1 week prior to departure. Remember, no flight tickets are sent. yy G et to know your Course Town: Everything you need to know about your destination, you can also find this hand book if you should lose it. yy USA travellers: fill in your homestay application. yy Make friends: Get in touch with your future friends who will be in the same destination at the same period of time as you. yy My EF in your phone: Download it from Appstore or Google Play and access it from your smartphone anywhere. yy Become an EF Ambassador: Join the Ambassador program. Share, earn and travel by doing assignments and inspiring your friends to go on their own language trip. This will earn you rewards such as cinema tickets, movie vouchers, an iPad or even a free language trip! Do you want to start straight away? Log on to My EF™ and become an Ambassador instantly. My EF for parents (http://my.ef.com/parents) On this platform you will get all the information you need in order to prepare your child for his or her journey abroad. Forms: All forms you might need for your particular destination.

yy Manage your booking: Download the latest invoice. yy Add extras: Add EF Fun pack, EF Explore pack, optional excursions or Erika insurance straight from My EF. yy Information: Read about the country and how it works to travel on a language course. Don’t miss the frequently asked questions! yy Log in: Use the same credentials as your child but you log in from the special parent website http:// my.ef.com/parents. If you are having trouble to log in, check your email. Maybe you child changed the password and if that is the case My EF will always send an email to you with the new credentials. Keep checking your account until departure day, as there can be updates to the information on the site. Did you lose your log in details? No problems, click on “Need support” (keep in English). Placement test Your language test will be available 60 days before your departure and you will need to have done it at the latest 2 weeks before your departure. Completing this test before you arrive will allow us to set up the classes more efficiently and earlier in the course and you to get the best value for your course. So, please, follow the instructions, and be honest with your answers. Important: yy When the test is available in My EF™ you can only skip taking the test three times before you are prevented from entering My EF™ until the test is done. yy Remember, once you have started, you can’t pause or complete the test at a later point so make sure you have enough time to take it before you start. yyYou will need earphones for the listening part of the test. More instructions will follow before you start the test in My EF™. Invoicing – Adapt to your payment plan Passport and visas Every student needs to have: yy A valid passport. If you go to USA or Australia, www.ef.com/travel 33


Preparing for your adventure

your passport validity has to be six months after the day you travel back home. yy A visa for courses to USA and Australia. For USA you will have received all information regarding the ESTA procedure. For Australia, we take care of all procedures through our travel department, and you have nothing to do; this will be linked to your flight ticket. yy [ITM, add your information about documents for young minors traveling abroad – other countries, add any legal specificities you might have in your country] yyIf you don’t have a [country] passport, please check with your own Embassy or consulate as procedures and requirements might be different. yyTip: make two copies of your passport: one for your parent and one for yourself which you should place in your hand luggage. This will help a lot if you lose your passport. Medication and medical conditions If you take regular medication, pack them in your hand luggage and bring along your prescription with the names of its ingredients. It is advisable to take a bit more than you think you’ll need. If your medications need to be stored in a fridge, let the office in your country know beforehand, as this might require special arrangements in some residences. We recommend that you take with you basic medication, like aspirin, or stomach medicine if you travel to a southern country. For safety reasons and in regards of the law, our staff is not allowed to give medicines to the students. If you have a medical condition, make sure to visit your normal doctor before departure to ensure you are fit for your language trip. Please also inform office in your country, so they can let the Course Leader and the local team know if this is necessary. Special diets and allergies If you need a special diet because of allergies or special wishes like vegetarian food, inform the office in your country well before departure. Extra cost will be: [adapt for market] Make sure you distinguish between ‘not liking’, being intolerant’ and ‘being allergic to’. It’s sometimes difficult to find hosts who can welcome students with allergies, so if you don’t like a certain type of food, 34 Student Handbook 2018

don’t write ‘allergic to’ and don’t write ‘vegetarian’ if you simply don’t eat red meat. In general, the more precise you are, the easier it will be for us to find the most suitable family and to inform the Residence staff. Please note that most English houses are carpeted and that most of our hosts enjoy the company of a pet. Travel documents (please adapt timing of sending these documents, do you send travel details together with the travel handbook for instance…) [Time period] before departure, you will receive your travel package. Keep these documents in a safe place and remember to take them all with you on the day of your departure, or to send them back if requested. yy Travel details: check the meeting point, times and dates carefully, as some dates might have changed since the brochure was printed. yy EF Luggage tags: please mark all your luggage carefully using the tags provided. yy EF Rules: Students and parents should read them carefully. You must bring a signed copy with you at the departure point (see at the end of this guide) yy Erika Travel Insurance Certificate if you have booked the insurance (see more information about Erika on page xx). Application forms, release forms and health certificates Depending on the country you’re going to and the EF Camps or sport options or optional activities you’ve chosen, you may have to fill in some specific forms. These forms are mandatory to complete. The forms and the instructions will be available on My EF™ closer to your departure. Please read carefully all instructions in order to have the forms ready on due time, especially for the documents which need to be filled in by a doctor. All of our EF Camps which include dancing (Performance) or sports (Sports & Adventure) require personal accident insurance. Erika Insurance covers all of our EF Camps and is highly recommended (please see page xx for details).


Preparing for your adventure

Courses to Australia Scubadiving / Skydive

Name of document

Filled in by

Australia parental consent of understanding scuba / skydive

parents

All student to Cairns

AUS Activity Parental Release Form Cairns

parents

All students to France Scubadiving Beginners Windsurfing

Health certificate Diving - Padi - Beginner Parental release windsurfing

parents student/parent/doctor parents

Malta Scubadiving Beginners

Diving - Padi - Beginner - OWDC

student/parent/doctor

Scubadiving Advanced

Diving - Padi - Advanced - AOWC

student/parent/doctor

EF Camps

EF Camp - Parental Consent Form

parents

UK EF Camps

EF Camp - Parental Consent Form

parents

USA All students All students

Medical Release and Consent Form Vaccination Record

parents parents

Homestay students EF Camps

Host Family Application EF Camp - Parental Consent Form

students parents

France

(Adapt to your county)

www.ef.com/travel 35


Preparing for your adventure

How to pack You need to be able to carry your luggage yourself. Take one piece of luggage only, as caoches and airlines also have restriction. Leave some empty space in your suitcase, as you will probably buy things during your stay. Double check with the airline a few days before departure the weight limit (usually 20kg); you will have to pay fees if restrictions are not followed. Take a lockable suitcase and keep your more valuable items locked safely in it when you’re not using them.

Airline liquid policy yyIf you take liquids in your hand luggage, you need to make sure that: yy Individual containers don’t exceed 100ml (about 3.5 fl.oz) yy All liquid containers are carried in a separate plastic bag zip-top or re-sealable (20cm x 20cm maximum) All liquid containers don’t exceed 1 liter capacity combined, they fit in the bag comfortably, and the bag is completely closed ote that at the airport security check, the plastic N bag must be removed from the cabin bag and X-ray screened separately

What to pack in your main luggage:

 Warm clothes (even in warm countries the nights can be chilly, and air-conditioning might be quite cold)  Jeans and other trousers  A couple of sweaters and long-sleeved shirts  T-shirts and sun tops  Your favourite party wear for EF discos  Shorts (and skirts)  Underwear, socks  Rain clothes and an umbrella  A couple of pairs of shoes (sneakers, sandals)  Swimsuit, beach towel, sun glasses  Toiletry bag, including sun tan lotion (remember 30+ for Australia)  Adapter* (ask about the different models from the electronic goods shop) [adapt]  Alarm clock  Mobile phone charger  A small dictionary, pens and note pads for school  2 passport photos for travel passes and EF passport to learn  Photocopies of your passport and visa (if applicable) * USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Malta and Australia have a different plug system from the European standard

36 Student Handbook 2018

What to pack in in your hand luggage:

 All travel documents  Passport and visa (if needed)  [SOs needing other documents, please adapt]  Medication + prescription  Some cash if you want to buy snacks or drinks during your traveling day

 A payment card if you have one (please check with your local bank if your card will be accepted in the country)  Cash for the first days (the equivalent of 1 week of pocket money + money for optional week-end in USA, Canada and Australia if you have planned to book one and pay there)  Erika Travel Insurance certificate or copy of other insurance under which you are covered if it is not Erika  This Student Handbook  Camera  Mobile phone, and SIM Card if you’ve bought one  Your Course Leader mobile number and the EF emergency number [adapt to your country]


Preparing for your adventure

Pocket money Your course fee includes: accommodation, meals (as indicated in your brochure) excursions, discover activities, some sport pack or fun pack activities if you’ve bought them. However, you’ll still need to take some pocket money with you. This will be used for: yy Your daily transport costs: your travel pass and some occasional taxis in the evening. yy Your meals if you are on a half-board basis yy Your general everyday costs: such as snacks, souvenirs and personal shopping. yy The optional activities you might want to participate in: local attractions, daily excursions, or even weekend excursions in the USA and Australia. Please budget carefully and save some money for these activities to have a great time. Closer to your departure, you will find more information about optional activities and actual travel pass price on my.ef.com. So keep an eye out and don’t forget to check regularly especially My EF. Pocket money for EF Discovery Tours The EF Discovery Tours are all inclusive, meaning that all flights, transportation, accommodation and meals are included in the price. However, we still recommend that you take some pocket money with you. This will be used for: yy Your general everyday costs: snacks, souvenirs, personal shopping, etc. yy Occasionally, your Tour Director may propose some optional activities that you might want to participate in such as river cruises, seeing a city by night or seeing an extra attraction if time allows it. These are never mandatory but can be highlights on the trip. For Europe, we recommend EUR 20-30 per day and for the U.S. we recommend USD 25-35 per day. Here are the average amounts students use per week. You need to add the travel pass cost to the figures below and the key & damage deposit if you go to a Residence (see Your destination section p. xx). [EEP countries – don’t keep travel pass information when not applicable]

Pocket money recommended per week

UK

75 GBP for Junior Residences 100-150 GBP + travel pass for the other Course Towns (check the exact amount per Course Town in Your Destination Section (p. xx)

Ireland

150 EUR + travel pass

Malta

150 EUR + travel pass

France

150 EUR + travel pass

Germany

150 EUR + travel pass

Spain

150 EUR + travel pass

USA

150 USD + travel pass Optional weekend-long excursions: 650 USD

Canada

200 CAD + travel pass Optional weekend-long excursions: 600 CAD

Australia

150 AUD (Cairns 250 AUD) + travel Optional weekend-long excursions or excursions to Cairns: 275AUD

Spain

100€ + travel pass

Check the exact amount of your travel pass in your destination section. (p.xx)

Don’t forget that, on My EF, you can book Fun Packs and some optional activities, excursions or weekend which can be paid to the office in your country. Please note that sport options have to be bought before you depart for your destination

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Preparing for your adventure

If you bring your home mobile phone with you, make sure your parents check the best offer for international calls as it can be a very expensive to call home from a foreign country. Sending an SMS is a cheaper option for keeping contact with your parents and friends. Another option it to get a local SIM which can offer significant savings; you can buy it in your destination in local shops or convenience stores (Please note that you can’t buy a local SIM card in Spain if you are not 18). Erika Insurance coverage All EF students must have a valid travel insurance and we strongly recommend every student the below Erika Insurance Coverage. It will cover treatment and medication expenses caused by injuries and illness, stolen, damaged or delayed luggage, course interruption and injuries caused to a third party. Erika Insurance Ltd. has tailor-made the coverage which is offered through EF Language Travel. The fee for European destinations is [00 euros and for other destinations 00 euros, adapt]. All EF Leaders have received information about Erika so they know what to do and who to contact in case something happens. They also have the exact same coverage themselves.

Unique features for Erika yy In case you are ill for more than two days and miss your classes, Erika will refund the course fee for the days lost. yy In case you are ill for more than half of your course Erika will pay for a new course yy Erika covers stolen cash and valuables provided they were kept securely yy Erika covers all activities organized by EF, even risky sports yy In case of hospitalization due to a critical illness or accident, Erika covers the flights and accommodation for two family members to the destination yy Erika is known by all EF staff, schools and Course Towns yy Erika covers all of our EF Camps and is highly recommended if you attend such a course EF will send out an Erika card to all students who sign up for this package. The card is the student’s proof of coverage and should be brought at all times. Cancellation Insurance [Adapt]

Coverage schedule Illness & Accident

(Currency – adapt)

Medical Expenses

xxx

Emergency Home Evacuation

xxx

Family Member Reimbursement

xxx

Home Repatriation

xxx

Accidental Death

xxx

Accidental Disability

xxx

xxx

Personal Delay (EUR 50/ 8 hours)

xxx

Flight extra cost

xxx

Program Interruption Flight extra cost Return to program

Baggage and Property

xxx

Cash

xxx xxx

(must be changed for every market, look at the insurance card and adapt the currency and the amounts) 38 Student Handbook 2018

Baggage Delay (EUR 100/ 24 hours)

Program Interruption

Baggage & Property

Valuable Documents

Delay

unused part of program fee unlimited xxx

Liability & Legal Third Party Liability

xxx

Legal Expenses (Assault compensation for SE, NO, DK, FI -adapt)

xxx


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Your course at a glance 40 Student Handbook 2018


Your course at a glance

First day in school If you’re staying in a homestay, your hosts will take you to school or explain how to get there. If you’re staying in a residence, your leaders will take you to school. During this day, you will: yy Attend your first lesson yy Follow an orientation walk, to show you all important places in your Destination. In the USA you will be given an introduction to the area around the EF school yy Attend a welcome briefing which will give you more information about the destination and course. yy Buy your bus/travel pass if applicable or rent a bicycle (in some Course Towns only) with the help of your leader. yy Attend your first evening activity. yy In the USA and Canada, if the welcome Event is organized another day, spend the evening getting to know your Homestay better while sharing interesting facts about your own culture yyIf you are on an International Course please, note that you will still spend some time with your singlenationality group on this day.

After a few days in the destination, we will ask you to fill in a very simple questionnaire which will help us to do a first evaluation of the course. Please fill it in honestly, so we can act accordingly if necessary. End of the course It’s time to present your EF group project to the rest of the class. And to enjoy the graduation ceremony. You will get your EF Certificate of Achivement which indicates the language level you have reached at the end of the course, according to the final test (please note that the result is not communicated). You will also get a Record of Achievement listing what has been covered in class. During the last day in class, we will ask you to fill in a final questionnaire. Please take the time to fill it in as these questionnaires are used to assess and improve the quality of our courses and we really appreciate your feedback.

At the beginning of the course, it might be a little bit difficult for you to travel around. But our leaders and your hosts are here to help you navigate through your Destination and you should always have their contact details with you. Don’t hesitate to ask them. Always keep your map with you. Depending on destinations, you might have up to 1hr of transport between your homestay and the school including walking time and/or public transportation time. You can travel to school with your fellow homestay students or other students living nearby. The next days For International courses, all class and activity groups have now been allocated, so you’ll know which group(s) you’re in for the remainder of your course. You’ll also have received your class schedules, so you can see what free and optional activities you can enjoy.

www.ef.com/travel 41


Your Destination 42 Student Handbook 2018


Your Destination

United Kingdom Brighton Homestay Travel pass price: up to £35/week Fun Pack (xx€) yyBrighton Pier rides yyBritish Airways i360 yyBowling 1 game yyLaserZone 1 game yyEF T-shirt Brighton Residence Travel pass: up to £35/week Key/damage deposit in residence: £30 Bedroom type: single bedrooms Bathroom type: en-suite or shared facilities Meal plan: full board (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly Towels provided School on site Fun Pack (xx€) yyBrighton Pier rides yyBritish Airways i360 yyBowling 1 game yyLaserZone 1 game yyEF T-shirt Canterbury No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom Type: Singles, twins, and dormitories from 3 to up to 13 students per room Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: full board (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School on site Fun Pack (xx€) yyCanterbury Cathedral yyCanterbury River Boat Tour yyWestgate Towers yyRochester Cathedral yyEF Souvenir

Dauntsey No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: from 1 to 6 student per room Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: full board (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School on site Hastings Homestay Travel pass price: Up to £20 / week Every student should bring a passport picture for their travel pass. Every student is provided with an identity card that must be worn at all times in the school. If the student loses the card they will have to pay £10 for a new one. A £10 deposit is required for an identity card that needs to be worn at all times when in school - The deposit will be returned so long as the card is returned undamaged at the end of the course. Fun Pack (xx€) yySmugglers Cave Adventure yyBlue Reef Aquarium yyBattle Zone Laser Tag yyCrazy Golf yyEF T-shirt Skate Pack: (can be bought before departure and in Hastings): 3x60 mins, skateboard not included in the price Horse Riding pack: (needs to be bought before departure): 3x1h45min, equipment, clothing included Hastings Residence No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in the Residence: £30 A £10 deposit is required for an identity card that needs to be worn at all times when in school - The deposit will be returned so long as the card is returned undamaged at the end of the course. Every student is provided with an identity card that must be worn at all times in the school. If the student loses the card they will have to pay £10 for a new one. www.ef.com/travel 43


Your Destination

Bedroom type: singles, twins or multiples up to 4 students per bedroom Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: full board – all meals are served in the school canteen during the week. Pack lunch on the weekend. Cleaning frequency: weekly No towels provided School walking distance (15 - 20 mins) Fun Pack (xx€) yySmugglers Cave Adventure yyBlue Reef Aquarium yyBattle Zone Laser Tag yyCrazy Golf yyEF T-shirt Skate Pack: 3x60 mins (can be bought before departure at in Hastings): skateboard not included in price Horse Riding pack: (needs to be bought before departure): 3x1h45min, equipment, clothing included Isle of Wight Homestay Travel pass: £12/week Fun Pack (xx€) yyBowling yyLaserQuest yyAmazon World Zoo Park yyCarisbrooke Castle yyEF T-shirt Tennis Pack (xx€): (needs to be bought before departure): 3 x 2 hour sessions Isle of Wight Residence Travel pass: between £15-20/week Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Accommodation: dormitories of up to 12 students Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: Full Board served in the cafeteria (incl. pack lunch on week-ends and excursions) Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School on site Fun Pack (xx€) 44 Student Handbook 2018

yyBowling yyLaserQuest yyAmazon World Zoo Park yyCarisbrooke Castle yyEF T-shirt London Homestay Travel pass: £62.30/week for zones 1-6 Fun Pack (xx€) yyTen Pin Bowling yyMadame Tussauds including the 4D Experience yy The London Dungeons yy Thames River Cruise yy EF T-shirt Explore Pack (xx€) yyLondon Eye yyLondon Zoo yyTower of London yyFarewell Meal yyEF souvenir London Residence Travel pass price: Weekly travel pass for zones 1-2 could cost up to 34.10 GBP per week. Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: 3 or 4 participants per bedroom Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: full board served in the cafeteria (incl. pack lunch on weekends and excursions) Cleaning frequency: once a week A towel is provided School walking distance (10 - 15 mins) Fun Pack (xx€) yyTen Pin Bowling yyMadame Tussauds including the 4D Experience yy The London Dungeons yy Thames River Cruise yy EF T-shirt London Campus Travel pass price: Weekly travel pass for zones 1-2 could cost up to 34.10 GBP per week. Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: single or double rooms Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: full Board served in the cafeteria (incl. pack


Your Destination

lunch on week-ends and excursions) Cleaning frequency: Weekly A towel is provided School on site Fun Pack (xx€) yyTen Pin Bowling yyMadame Tussauds including the 4D Experience yy The London Dungeons yy Thames River Cruise yy EF T-shirt Explore Pack (xx€) yyLondon Eye yyLondon Zoo yyTower of London yyFarewell Meal yyEF souvenir Football Camp Travel pass: £62.30/week for zones 1-6 Fun Pack (xx€) yyTen Pin Bowling yyMadame Tussauds including the 4D Experience yy The London Dungeons yy Thames River Cruise yy EF T-shirt EF Football Camp Info: Students will have football sessions during the week, alternating with activities and excursions. (This includes the time to get changed, theory, warm-up, etc.). Materials needed: Football kit, boots, Astro Turf trainers, shin pads, shorts socks, towel for shower. London – Newland Park No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: twin or triple with bunk beds Bathroom type: shared facilites Meal plan: (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School on site EF Football Camp Info: Students will have football sessions during the week, alternating with activities and excursions. (This includes the time to get

changed, theory, warm-up, etc.). Materials needed: Football kit, boots, Astro Turf trainers, shin pads, shorts socks, towel for shower. Fun Pack (xx€) yyLondon Eye yy River Cruise yyThe London Dungeons yyFarewell Meal yyEF T-shirt Oxford Homestay Travel pass: £15/week Fun Pack (xx€) yyLaser Quest yyIce Skating yyCinema yyPunting yyEF T-shirt Explore Pack (xx€) yyChristchurch College yyOxford Castle yyRiver Cruise yyCity Sightseeing tour yyEF Souvenir Tennis Pack (xx€): (needs to be bought before departure): 3 x 2 hour sessions with a coach Oxford Residence No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: singles Bathroom type: en-suite or shared facilities Meal plan: full board (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School walking distance (10 to 15 min) Fun Pack (xx€) yyChristchurch College yyOxford Castle yyCity Sightseeing tour yyEF Souvenir yyLaser Kombat yyPunting www.ef.com/travel 45


Your Destination

yyIce Skating yyEF T Shirt Explore Pack (xx€) yyOxford Castle yyOxford Sightseeing Bus Tour yyRiver Cruise yyChristchurch College yyEF souvenir Rookesbury College No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom Type: dormitories of up to 12 students Bathroom type: shared facilities Meal plan: full board (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School on site Torquay Homestay Travel pass: 20£/week Fun Pack (xx€) yyBattlefield Live - Outdoor Laser Quest yyQuaywest Waterpark yyKents Cavern Ghost or Heritage Tour yyTen Pin Bowling yyEF T-shirt Sport options: Watersports Pack, Tennis Pack & Golf Pack (needs to be bought before departure) – A pack includes 3 Sessions of the specific sport, approx. 2 hours each & with all necessary equipment provided, though a water bottle and towel is recommended. Torquay Residence Travel pass: 20£/week Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: Single, Twin, Triple & Quad Bathroom type: en-suite Meal plan: full board with breakfast & dinner in the Residence, pack lunch Cleaning frequency: Weekly Towels provided School is maximum 15 minute walk Swimming Pool Access: All groups have access to a 46 Student Handbook 2018

pool session at least once per week. (We have 3 EF Residences in Torbay.)

Fun Pack (xx€) yy Battlefield Live - Outdoor Laser Quest yy Quaywest Waterpark yy Kents Cavern Ghost or Heritage Tour yy 10 Pin Bowling yy EF T-shirt Watersports Pack, Tennis Pack & Golf pack (needs to be bought before departure) Each pack includes 3 Sessions, approx. 2 hours each & with all necessary equipment provided, though a water bottle and towel is recommended. Winchester No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: £30 Bedroom type: singles Bathroom type: ensuite or shared facilities Meal plan: full board (packed lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly Towels provided School on site Fun Pack (xx€) yyAztec Challenge & Archery yyBowling yySplashdown yyCinema yyEF T-shirt London visits The number of times you visit London will depend on your destination and the length of your course. Everyone visiting London will embark on EF’s Sightseeing Walking Tour guided by your Leader. They will show you the most popular attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus and many more. Prepare yourself for an exhilarating day of walking as you explore one of the world’s most famous cities. A second day in London offers you the opportunity to visit further attractions such as Madame Tussauds or the London Dungeons as well as time to shop in


Your Destination

popular districts (FRP, please adapt reg. shopping). You may be taken to different areas in London such as: Oxford Street (home of great high street stores) or Camden’s quirky shops and markets also offering more photographic moments. Unlike the walking tour on the first London trip, you have the opportunity to travel on the tube on this one so it is important that you remember to stay with your group at all times and never travel on the tube by yourself. A 1-day travel pass is provided for this day only. If you are staying at any of the below destinations you will not have the individual day excursions to London, but an included London city stay trip in your package instead, which is a 2 night stay in a budget style accommodation in central London. Refer to your brochure for your destination. yyTorquay yyTorbay Residence yy for EEP markets Isle of Wight An overnight stay in London will include the same walking tour and a chance to shop and explore your chosen attractions in the city but you will decide on a group level how you would like to plan your trip. All meals during your London stay are taken care of for you so all you need to decide together is which attractions you would like to see first! Remember, if your London stay falls at the end of your course you should try to save some spending money so you can still afford to see/visit some of the great attractions London has to offer. The office in your country will inform you if the London stay is organized at the beginning or at the end of the course. Please note for London stay and both one day excursions, entrance fees to the attractions are not included.

Ireland Dublin Homestay Travel pass: 2 wks: €75, 3 wks: €100, 4 wks: €125 Horseriding Pack: (needs to be bought before departure): 3 sessions of 2 hours. Students need to bring helmet, riding boots and suitable clothing is also

important (think about rainy weather). Fun Pack - Senior Courses (xx€) yyHard Rock Café yyDublin Zoo yyBowling yyCinema yyEF T-shirt Explore Pack -Senior Courses – xx€ yyDublinia - Historic Site yyCity Sightseeing Tour yyCroke Park yyEF souvenir Golf Pack: 3 sessions, equipment will be provided but students can bring their own golf clubs if desired. Pack suitable clothing for the sessions. (Think about wet weather) Dublin Residence (Senior) Travel pass: 2 wks: €75, 3 wks: €100, 4 wks: €125 Key/damage deposit in Residence: 30€ Bedroom type: singles or twins Bathroom type: en-suite Meal plan: full board (meals are served on site – pack lunches are provided on excursions days) Cleaning frequency: once a week Towels provided School on site Fun Pack - Senior Courses (xx€) yyHard Rock Café yyDublin Zoo yyBowling yy yyEF T-shirt Explore Pack -Senior Courses (xx€) yyDublinia - Historic Site yyCity Sightseeing Tour yyCroke Park yyEF souvenir Golf Pack: 3 sessions, equipment will be provided but students can bring their own golf clubs if desired. Pack suitable clothing for the sessions. (Think about wet weather)

www.ef.com/travel 47


Your Destination

Horseriding Pack: (needs to be bought before departure): 3 sessions of 2 hours. Students need to bring helmet, riding boots and suitable clothing is also important (think about rainy weather). Dublin Residence (Junior) No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit in Residence: 30€ Bedroom type: from 2 up to 17 students per bedroom/dormitory Bathroom type: shared Meal plan: full board (meals are served on site – pack lunches are provided on excursions days) Cleaning frequency:once a week No Towels provided School on site Explore Pack (xx€) yyDublinia yyDublin Zoo yyCroke Park yyEF souvenir

Malta Sliema Homestay Travel pass price: 2 travel passes are needed: the EF bus pass which costs 20EUR per week,and is used for the activities (XX EUR with XX as per local poseidon price ) and the public bus pass needed to get to & from school which costs 21€ and needs to be bought in Malta. Both bus passes are needed by all students Malta Pack (xx€) yy Malta 5D yy Gozo trip yy Beach BBQ yy Snorkeling yy EF Souvenir Sun and Fun Pack (xx€) yy Mega Party yy Comino yy Splash & Fun Waterpark yy EF T-Shirt

Golf Pack: 3 sessions, equipment will be provided but students can bring their own golf clubs if desired. Pack suitable clothing for the sessions. (Think about wet weather)

Watersports Pack (needs to be bought before departure): Sailing/Kayaking/Paddle boarding or surfing windsurfing (paddle or surf will depend on ability level)

Cork Homestay Travel pass price: Approx €40 per week

Diving Pack (needs to be bought before departure) All diving students must complete the relevant PADI paperwork prior to arriving to Malta

Explore Pack (xx€) yyFota Wildlife Park yySpike Island yyBlackrock Castle & Conservatory yyEF Souvenir

Beginners: the students are taught the basic skills necesary to become a certified diver. These include equipment familiarization with regulator and mask skills; Buoyancy control underwater and basic emergency techniques. We have 5 confined water dives (shallow) and 4 Open water training dives (to a maximum depth of 18 metres if over 12 years old) in the Course. Advanced: for already certified divers, the students will do 5 SCUBA dives in Open Water. They will consist of a deep dive (21 metres maximum for 12 - 14 yr olds and 30 metres for 15 yrs and older); a navigation dive learning more about using compasses underwater and natural navigation; a Buoyancy dive to develop and practice good underwater control; a wreck dive on one of our wrecks and finally a natural-

48 Student Handbook 2018


Your Destination

ist dive observing the underwater creatures Sliema Residence Travel pass price: EF bus pass 20€ per week (XX EUR with XX as per local poseidon price) – it is needed by all students Key/damage deposit: 60€ Bedroom type: Multirooms – majority 4 students per bedroom Bathroom type: Mostly ensuite but some shared (max. 4 students sharing a bathroom) Meal plan: half-board (Breakfast & Dinner) Cleaning frequency: Daily basic clean & 3 times a week deep clean Towels provided School is short bus ride away; EF bus pass required Malta Pack (xx€) yy Malta 5D yy Gozo trip yy Beach BBQ yy Snorkeling yy EF Souvenir Sun and Fun Pack (xx€) yy Mega Party yy Comino yy Splash & Fun Waterpark yy EF T-Shirt Watersports Pack (needs to be bought before departure): Sailing/Kayaking/Paddle boarding or surfing windsurfing (paddle or surf will depend on ability level)

consist of a deep dive (21 metres maximum for 12 - 14 yr olds and 30 metres for 15 yrs and older); a navigation dive learning more about using compasses underwater and natural navigation; a Buoyancy dive to develop and practice good underwater control; a wreck dive on one of our wrecks and finally a naturalist dive observing the underwater creatures St. Paul’s Bay Residence Travel pass price: 20€ per week (XX EUR with XX as per local poseidon price ) – all students will require this Key/damage deposit: 60€ Bedroom type: Multiroom – 4 students per bedroom Bathroom type: Ensuite Meal plan: Half-board: breakfast & dinner Cleaning frequency: Daily basic clean & deepclean 3 times per week Towels provided School is a short bus ride away Malta Pack (xx€) yy Malta 5D yy Gozo trip yy Beach BBQ yy Snorkeling yy EF Souvenir Sun and Fun Pack (xx€) yy Mega Party yy Comino yy Splash & Fun Waterpark yy EF T-Shirt

Diving Pack (needs to be bought before departure) All diving students must complete the relevant PADI paperwork prior to arriving to Malta Beginners: the students are taught the basic skills necessary to become a certified diver. These include equipment familiarization with regulator and mask skills; Buoyancy control underwater and basic emergency techniques. We have 5 confined water dives (shallow) and 4 Open water training dives (to a maximum depth of 18 metres if over 12 years old) in the Course. Advanced: for already certified divers, the students will do 5 SCUBA dives in Open Water. They will www.ef.com/travel 49


Your Destination

USA New York - Thornwood Residence Travel pass: students may have to purchase local transport tickets for some of the local activities Bedroom type: triple or quadruple Bathroom type: en-suite or shared Lost key: $20 Meal plan: full board (meals are served on site – pack lunches are provided on excursions days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly Towels provided School on site New York Homestay Travel pass: $40/week Virginia Beach Travel pass: $40/week Long Beach Residence Travel pass: students may have to purchase bus tickets for some of the local activities Bedroom type: twins Bathroom type: shared Lost key: $25 Meal plan: Half Board during the week (Breakfast & Lunch Monday-Friday). Dinner & Weekend Meals are off-site – students are responsible to pay for off-site meals. Cleaning frequency: Weekly No Towels provided School on site Florida Resort No travel pass needed Bedroom Type: Twin Bathroom Type: En Suite Meal Plan: Half board (Breakfast and Lunch). Students are responsible to pay for dinner Cleaning frequency: Every 3 days Towels Provided School on site Boston Junior Residence No Travel Pass Needed Bedroom Type: 2 - 4 students per room Bathroom Type: Shared and En Suite 50 Student Handbook 2018

Meal Plan: Full board (meals are served on site - pack lunches are provided on excursion days) Cleaning Frequency: Weekly No towels provided School on site Other Homestay Destinations Travel pass: not needed


Your Destination

Canada Toronto Homestay Travel Pass: 23 CAD/week

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Your Destination

Spain Málaga Homestay Travel pass: around 10€ for 10 bus tickets (included in Fun pack). To be reloaded by students if needed (8.30 euros each reload) Fun Pack (xx€) yySurfing in Tarifa yyHammam experience (Arab baths) yyHammam yyWater park yyKayak, Surf, Paddle surf yyMulti-adventure day yyCatamaran trip yyRiver trekking yyTravel pass (with 10 rides)

Germany Münich visit Your visit to Münich will be organised at the end of your course. It includes 1 night, in a multi-bedded room in a youth hostel, breakfast, dinner and a walking tour of the historical town. You will also have time for browsing around the shopping areas in the pedestrian city center, and depending on your flight schedule, why not visit the science & technology museum, one of the biggest in the world. [FRP adapt for shopping] Please note that no entrance fees are included. You will have to bring your own towels for the youth hostel. Münich stay: shared bedrooms, ensuite bathroom, halfboard (lunch not provided), towel is not provided

Málaga Residence Travel pass price: 10.20€ for 10 rides. (10 rides included in fun pack). To be reloaded by students if needed (8.30 euros each reload). Key/damage deposit: 50 euros Bedroom type: single room integrated in a module of 5 rooms Bathroom type: shared Meal plan: full board, meals are served in the cantine Cleaning frequency: daily, linen changed once a week Towels not provided (but not replaced) School on site

Munich Homestay Travel pass: 25€ per week

Fun Pack (xx€) yySurfing in Tarifa yyHammam experience (Arab baths) yyHammam yyWater park yyKayak, Surf, Paddle surf yyMulti-adventure day yyCatamaran trip yyRiver trekking yyTravel pass (with 10 rides)

Neuschwanstein Pack (optional) (xx€) Full day activity visiting to the world renown Castle of Neuschwanstein perched between the mountains at the border between Germany and Austria.

Optional excursions yyTrip to Sevilla yyTrip to Nerja

52 Student Handbook 2018

Munich Residence Travel pass: 15€ per week Fun Pack (xx€) yyBoat ride on the lake (lake Starnberg) yyMountain hike yyBicycle tour at Englischer Garten yyBBQ yyEF T-shirt

Salzburg visit (optional) (xx€) Enjoy a full day in the magical city of Salzburg, home of Mozart and the city where it was filmed the fantastic musical “The Sound of Music”. Visit the city center and the castle. You will also have time for browsing around the shopping areas in the pedestrian city center. (FRP adapt for shopping). Please note that no entrance fees to eventual museum visits are included.


Your Destination

France Saint Raphaël Homestay Travel pass: 20€ per week Saint Raphaël Residence Travel pass: not needed (residence is 10 minutes walking from the school) Fun Pack (xx€) yyRed Rocks Adventure: choose either high rope course or kayaking yySt. Tropez by boat yyBeach Party yyWaterparty yyEF T-shirt Diving Pack (optional) (needs to be bought before departure): 4 sessions (theory and practice): 3 sessions from the beach and 1 session from the boat. If successful, students will get the PADI scuba Diver certificate. Material and manual are provided. Students need to bring a swimsuit, a towel and 2 passport size photos for the Padi card. A parental release + medical certificate will be needed – Check on My EF Windsurfing pack (optional) (needs to be bought before departure): 3 sessions of 2 hours, including theory and practice. Students need to bring a swimsuit and towel and white-soled shoes – a swimming certificate from the parents will be needed Watersport pack (optional) (needs to be bought before departure): 3 sessions with the following activities parasailing; kayaking or paddle and wakeboard or banana ride. Students need to bring a swimsuit and a towel Cote D’Azur Pack (optional) (xx€) 1 excursion to one of the 4 following options: Monaco, Nice, Antibes or Cannes (destination depending on availability). This is a full day activity taking place on Saturday to visit one of the top 4 cities in Cote d’Azur. Paris visits (keep only if this concerns your sales office) If you have booked a Paris Visit, you will travel by TGV (high speed train) to Paris. Your trip includes: 3 nights at an EF residence in twin rooms, buffet break-

fasts and lunches and dinners in different self-service restaurants around the city. The tour includes one day in Disneyland Paris, and a walking tour of one of the most exciting areas of Paris visiting the Eiffel Tower, Galeries Lafayette, Opera and the Louvre Museum. There is also a Baton Mouche ride included. You will also be able to enjoy shopping time. Please note the lunch in Disney is not included. Paris visits: twin bedrooms, ensuite bathroom, full board (except Disney lunch).

Australia Sydney city visit: every course going to Cairns or the Gold Coast will also have a big city visit to Sydney that includes a great scenic walking tour around the famous city sights, a harbour cruise, entrance to the amazing Sydney Aquarium and the top of Sydney Tower! Entrance only part of EEP or funpack in Cairns. Cairns Homestay Travel pass: between 20 and 45AUD/week Sun & Fun Pack (xx€) yyCairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome yyGo karting yyCairns Aqua Park yySydney Tower yySea Life Aquarium Gold Coast Homestay Travel pass: not needed Gold Coast Residence No travel pass needed Key/damage deposit: $50AUD Bedrooms: shared, dormitory style Bathrooms: shared Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the cafeteria (pack lunch on excursion days) Cleaning frequency: Weekly Towels provided School on site Sydney Homestay Travel pass: not needed www.ef.com/travel 53


After your course 54 Student Handbook 2018


Reunion Party In autumn [adapt] you will be invited to a Reunion Party, along with other EF students. It’s a great way to reconnect with your friends from summer and to relive part of the exciting moments you experienced together. We also invite our leaders so you can spend some time with them. And since EF would not be EF without the fun, every year, your [market] office tries its best to make the reunion party a day to remember with popular DJs, singers, bloggers, dance competitions, hit-list music, competitions with prizes etc. [Please adapt and add date and venue of Reunion party.] Become an EF Ambassador Would you like to share your love for travel and languages - and go on a trip again next year, for free? To get started, all you need to do is log on to your My EF account ™ and sign up for the Ambassador Program. How it works: SHARE – You’ll earn points simply by sharing your 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 – You’ll 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.

TRAVEL – Earn enough points and we’ll send you to an International Ambassador Meeting, on a free course. You’d better renew your passport. Log on to My EF™ and become an EF Ambassador today! EF benefits and other products EF offers courses for all ages, all levels and all needs. If you book another course with EF, you and your immediate family get special discounts. [Adapt]. So call us and discover what EF has to offer! Family Club [Adapt to your country] Be a part of the EF Family Club! Every family member who travels on an EF course will get 5% off*, plus: yy Premium travel bag yy One free voucher for a an optional excursion with EF on future travel yy Priority consideration for all future EF internships and scholarships yy Special services available in the “Family Lounge” of my.ef.com *Conditions apply, for more details please visit www.ef.com/familyclub [NOTE TO MARKETS: Only keep programs relevant to your country]

www.ef.com/travel 55


Get social Follow our students’ global adventures by checking out EF’s social media accounts.

Instagram: #ef4ever youtube.com/EF facebook.com/EF www.ef.com/blog

Add us on Snapchat Discover what’s waiting for you next summer by adding EF4ever on Snapchat.

Graduation EF Torquay

56 Student Handbook 2018


Market specific Ad

& Send in this coupon, e-mail language travel@ef.com or call us on 1234 567 8900 before XX-03-XX for a discount market specific

EF Other Services  Erika Insurance Europe, xx  Erika Insurance USA/Australia, xx  Cancellation Insurance, xx  Live as the only «French» – xx per week  SIM card, xx  Special diet, xx per uke

Fun Packs  Brighton  Hastings  Isle of Wight  London  Newland Park  Oxford

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 London  Oxford  Dublin  Cork

Name ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Address ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Poste Code______________________________________ ����������������������������������������������������������������������� Telefon ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Reference number �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

www.ef.com/travel 57


Languages Friends & Fun www.ef.com/travel

Contact us 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

www.facebook.com/EF<country>

Midi-Pyrénées Sophia Djemmali 29 bis rue Ingres 31130 Quint Fonsegrives Tél. : 05 61 23 63 94 www.youtube.com/EF

Normandie Valentin Bontemps 5, avenue de Provence 75009 Paris Tél. : 01 42 61 46 26 Fax : 01 42 86 09 91


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