ef.com LANGUAGE TRAVEL
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St ud ents 10-14 and 14-18
Student handbook Everything you need to know for your adventure abroad
Welcome to the EF Family 3
Learn a language, make new friends and create memories for life at one of our 50 destinations around the world. Dear student,
Content
Your EF Language Course is the start of a great adventure abroad. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that you enjoy your stay – with dedicated support, an innovative learning method and a full schedule of leisure activities. It’s going to be a journey to remember.
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This handbook will provide all the information you need for your stay abroad. Take time to read through it and be sure to bring it along with you to your destination. You never know when you’ll need to find out more about doing laundry or catching the bus to school. Speak to a member of EF staff if you have any questions. We’re here for you around the clock – and all want your experience to be a memorable one. We look forward to welcoming you. Sincerely, Your EF team
What to expect Experiencing a new culture Two ways to travel EF Leader & Group Travel My trip, leader & group EF Rules Key points for parents Before you go
Study 17 18
Your language program How you’ll learn
Live 21 22 25
Accomodation FAQs Make yourself at home Your activities
Support 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35
Your school team Our school code The elements of a successful course My documents Things to remember Become an Ambassador Our safe learning promise Notes
10 Languages 50 Destinations 100+ Nationalities
What to expect 4
You’re in for an exciting adventure. Know what to expect from your EF experience – and what we expect of you. What to expect from your language course
What to expect from your homestay
What we expect from you
- Information about the course location before departure - Staff to provide support and answer questions around the clock - Teaching that blends classroom lessons, interactive tools and cultural immersion - Accommodation in a homestay or residence - Assistance if you wish to prepare for a language exam - A wide range of leisure activities – either free or for a small cost - A course diploma and a language certificate, which requires 80% attendance on individual courses and 100% attendance on group courses
- Experiencing a new culture - Enjoying meals at your homestay - A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s language campus - Sharing accommodation with other EF students
- Attendance in class and activities - Respect for your homestay hosts, fellow students and environment - Obeying all laws and regulations applicable in the country and school - Staying neat at school and in your homestay or residence - Telling EF Staff if something feels wrong or does not meet your expectations
What to expect from your residence - A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s language center - Sharing your accommodation with other EF students
More information about your accommodation on page 23
Experiencing a new culture 5
You'll soon be immersing yourself in a different culture – tasting new foods, uncovering unique traditions and making new friends. We're here for you all the way. Discovering another culture Culture is a mix of beliefs, customs, art and language that define a society or population. It’s learned from family, teachers and friends, knowingly and unknowingly. Your culture determines how you perceive yourself, the way you relate to others and what you consider important.
It shapes your identity – and makes it easy to connect with people from your country. Behaviors and practices are easy to see, but our attitudes and core values aren’t as simple to pinpoint. Immerse yourself in a new culture by reflecting on what you’re most excited to try or learn about your destination’s culture. And remember - a new culture is not better or worse, just different!
Conquer culture shock Culture shock can begin as the initial excitement of your destination subsides. You may feel uneasy or homesick, which leads to identifying drawbacks of the new country. It’s not uncommon to experience physical symptoms like trouble sleeping or losing your appetite. Rest assured that this period of adjustment will pass. Don't hesitate to contact the EF staff in your school if you need further support or advice.
Take steps towards understanding a new culture:
Friends
Activities
Adjust
Goals
Grow
Make friends from countries other than your own.
Keep busy – from studying to playing a sport.
Decisions are best made after you’ve adjusted to your destination.
Set goals. You’ll be reminded of your Language Course’s purpose.
Remember that you’re growing every day – don't give up!
Two ways to travel 6
We offer three different types of language travel; individual travel, group travel with course leader, and supervised group travel. Individual Travel
Group Travel
- Flexible-length courses, start any Monday at our International Language Campuses - Study with EF's personalized learning method - Learn from local EF language teachers - A network of local and global EF staff offer 24/7 support throughout your stay - Supervised group travel (ages 13-16): Get international experience and enjoy a predetermined schedule, packed with lessons and fun activities. All lessons and activities, are supervised by EF staff with 24/7 support throughout your stay.
- An EF Leader accompanying you throughout, offering 24/7 support - Benefit from an all-inclusive summer package, including all your travel - Study with EF's personalized learning method - Learn from experienced EF teachers, specialized in engaging younger learners - Enjoy 2-4 weeks of exciting daily activities
There are two differences between "Supervised Group Travel" and "Group Travel". First of all, on a Group Travel your course leader will meet you at the airport in your home country and travel with you to the destination. On a Supervised Group Travel, you will travel to your destination without a course leader. Secondly, on a Group Travel you will have a local group, with students from your home country, that are travelling together. On a Supervised Group Travel you will have an international group that you meet at the destination. Both options will ensure that you have fun while being safe and under the supervision of our professionally trained EF staff.
EF Leader & Group Travel 7
Danny travels with EF for the fifth summer. He, and all EF course leaders, are carefully recruited and trained by the EF Team. Your course leader is here for your safety. Therefore, we ask you to respect all instructions and directives given by your leader. In most cases, your course leader will meet you at the airport or at the destination. If your group travels with a Transfer Guide, you will meet your course leader at the destination. Your course leader will also work with the local team at the destination to ensure fun activities. If you have selected a supervised group travel, you will travel to the destination on your own and meet your course leader at the destination. For senior courses,senior courses, camps and studios (except Malta), students are mixed out of their regular group during activity time to ensure an exchange among students of different nationalities. Your course leader is available every day to connect with you, and the other students in your group, in case you need to address anything in your native language. You can call your course leader, or other EF-staff, 24/7. Your course leader is also in constant communication with the local office in your home county.
For junior courses, the course leader will have an assistant with him/her for courses over 17 students to ensure extra attention. Your course leader will have the electronic flight tickets for all students.
Danny Kenyon, EF Course Leader
Your EF Course Leader
“On our exciting group travel courses you’re accompanied by an EF Leader from start to finish. It’s all about language learning, fun activities, excursions and friends!”
My trip, leader and group 8
My group EF International Language Course & Studio courses In class, you will be paired with a group of students based on your level of English. This group may differ from the group you travelled with and the students you have activities with. These changes are made to ensure more interactions among students from different countries. The number of students coming from the same country in each class depends on their level of English. EF teams strive to mix at least 3 different nationalities per class. Traveling with a friend Upon request you may be placed in the same Homestay or residence room, but may not be in the same class as this depends on nationality mix and language level. If you’re on a Senior Course, you might not be in the same activity group either (except in Malta). 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.
Traveling by plane - Once you get your flight details, please check the luggage policy with your airline company (number of luggages, maximum weight, size, etc.)
- Meals: you will always be served meals on long-haul flights. For shorter flights, it depends on the airline; you may receive a meal, 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 page 8) - 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 - Connecting flights: If you have a connecting flight with your group, please follow the instructions of the leader/transfer guide - 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 - Covid-19 vaccination certificate: For all trips abroad, you need a valid vaccination certificate. Download the certificate before departure and ensure that it is valid throughout the trip. EF also requests that you take a covid test no later than 72 hours before departure. It can be either a PCR test or an antigen test.
Traveling by train - Meal: there’s no meal served on the train, but there’s a cafeteria where you can buy food and drinks - Liquid: there’s no liquid restriction on trains
Arriving to the destination country 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 an EF staff member at the arrivals hall. There, you might have to wait for other students (maximum 2 hours from arriving in the waiting hall. However delayed incoming flights can increase waiting time), on different flights, before traveling onwards to your destination (or first hotel on an EF 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.
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Traveling to your destination
Arrival at your destination
You will be traveling to the destination on a coach, a mini bus or a taxi organized by EF. Some transfers can take up to 5 hours, depending on your final destination, so remember to bring local currency with you for snacks on the way.
On a Homestay course, depending on your destination, 3 different scenarios are possible:
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.
- You 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 to pick you and any other students up - Your hosts will come and pick you up directly at the arrival point in your destination - If you arrive at night, you will be transported by EF-booked 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 from 45 minutes to 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. You’ll also take a tour of the Residence, usually after lunch time. Don’t forget to call home!
EF Rules 10
Every language trip is an experience to be treasured for life. To ensure every student creates only the best possible memories, we have set out these rules for your time traveling with our EF family. We kindly ask our students to read through them with their guardians. Read this handbook Our first rule is simply that every student reads and understands the Student Handbook – that’s the handbook you’re reading right now! If it’s your first time traveling independently, we want you to understand what you can expect. Before your departure, make sure you and your guardian have read and understood everything.
Respect all EF Leaders and staff Always respect the judgement of your EF Course Leader and staff. They are there to make your trip safe and enjoyable. If you are traveling with a group, you will have to adapt to the life of the group and follow your leaders’ instructions. Not following their instructions can jeopardize the safety of the group. When students don’t follow this rule, they risk being sent home at their own expense.
Attend everything in your EF schedule
Follow local rules and regulations
Attend all of your scheduled sessions and ‘check in’ for every activity before they begins. Depending on the course you have chosen, this will include classes, sessions and/ or activities. For group travels and supervised group travels, both lessons and activities are mandatory. For individual courses (16+), only the lessons are compulsory. If you become ill and cannot make it to school or a planned activity, inform your leader at your ‘check in’. In case of an emergency, it’s important that we know your whereabouts at all times.
Abide by local rules and laws of the country you travel to. Any student engaging in illegal activity will be sent home at their own expense. For instance, 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 into the country for several years.
Respect the rules of your accommodation EF Residences and EF Homestays may have their own additional rules and regulations that you must respect. For example, your curfew time must be adhered to. Upon arrival, you will get information on your local residence and host family rules and regulations. Some of the information is also included in this handbook.
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Inform us if you are leaving If you wish to leave your destination with relatives or family friends at any point, you need written permission from your legal guardian. In this instance, correctly submit a Student Release Form to the EF office in your home country a minimum of two weeks prior to when your trip starts. EF has the right to deny a student the right to leave the planned EF schedule.
Alcohol and drugs Purchase, possession and consumption of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited for all EF students – even if in some countries you can buy alcohol legally. For safety reasons, we send home any student who
breaks this rule at their own expense. If someone offers you alcohol or drugs or you see someone in possession of them, walk away immediately and report the incident to your course leader or EF staff.
Damages If you cause damage to someone else’s property, to your host family house, in the EF school, EF venues, EF Residence or in any other facilities EF is using, you will be liable to pay for damages before you leave your EF destination. Check your travel insurance for liability cover and read more about the Erika Insurance Coverage on page 17.
Bullying and inappropriate behaviour Treat your course mates, EF Leaders and teachers and all people you meet with respect. Any violent, insolent or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and might lead to you being sent back home on your own expense. This applies to any attitude which would prevent the smooth running of the course, and includes carrying weapons of any kind, threatening and hurting yourself or others.
EF Rules 12
Smoking Abide by the rules related to smoking in your Homestay, in the EF school, and within the community. All EF schools, residences and other facilities have a nonsmoking policy. It’s also strictly forbidden to smoke on all Junior Courses and the smoking policy includes electronic cigarettes. If you do smoke, check with your EF Course Leader about their rules, and with your Homestay if that is where you are staying. If you are traveling to the USA or Australia and staying in a host family, it’s particularly important that you tell us if you smoke as most hosts do not permit smoking in the home, or even outside their house. Again, remember to abide by the local rules and laws. For instance, the UK, Ireland, Malta, France, Germany, Spain, Asia and most US and Australian states have a smoking ban in public places. It is also illegal to purchase cigarettes under the age of 18 in the following countries: UK, Ireland, Malta, France, Canada, USA (most states), Australia, Spain, Asia and Germany.
Share the details of your legal guardian In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, it is important that the correct contact details of legal guardians have been shared with us. EF always has the ambition to contact the student’s emergency contact before any medical treatments will be conducted. By signing our EF Rules document you agree to allow an EF staff member to authorise timesensitive treatments and/ or medical aid in case of an extreme medical emergency.
What happens if you break the rules? If a student breaks the rules, disciplinary steps are taken. Steps can be a verbal warning, written warning and sending the student home at their own expense, without negotiations.
If a student breaks the EF rules, they may not be able to participate in planned activities, including pre-paid optional activities. No refund is given in these cases. The decision to send a student home is mainly made between the destination Senior Center Manager together with the Product Manager sales office. If EF suspects a student has broken the EF rules, individual talks between student, Course Leader and destination staff will occur to establish the chain of events. Legal guardians will be informed about the decision to send the student home. The guardian has a responsibility to ensure the student is met at the home country airport. If EF cannot be sure guardians will meet the student, EF will consider handing over the student to proper authorities. EF policies on dismissal are clearly outlined in the Terms and Conditions page of the brochure.
Remember to sign the EF Rules form located in your Pre-departure pack
Key points for parents 13
Your child’s first days away
Imagery and multimedia
The first few days are always the most difficult. Your child will arrive in a new country after a long journey. Please refrain from calling every day at the beginning to allow your child to acclimatize to their new setting and make new friends.
By accepting EF’s general conditions, you grant EF the rights to freely use any photography, film or sound recording created by EF during the trip for promotional purposes, without any separate approval from you.
Your point of contact
Many EF students will also get to create their own multimedia projects as a part of their course. EF encourages students to upload their videos to share with each other, as well as others interested in studying abroad with EF.
In case of a problem, encourage your child to speak with their EF Leader for a quick resolution. Leaders are not to be contacted by parents because we need them to give their undivided attention to the students. The local office in your country is your main point of contact. Our emergency number is: 22 94 12 00
Setting expectations Please 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.
Phone number to EF Norway: 22 94 12 00
The ideal line of communication
Student
Leader
Destination office
Sales office
Parents
Before you go 14
Your trip is right around the corner. Be sure you don’t miss anything before you leave – from applying for visas to getting airline tickets. Before you depart - Create your account on EF Campus Connect and gain access to EF Campus Learning, our intelligent digital platform Organize your travels - Book your flight and airport transfers - Purchase EF Campus Credits in advance to join activities and get an early discount - Book and plan your activities and excursions - Keep track of your booking and course details Discover your destination - Get all the information you need about your EF Campus Get social - Refer friends and get rewarded - Become an EF Ambassador and earn cool rewards by simply sharing your EF experience
Passport Make sure that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay abroad and six months after your return.
If you’re required to have valid identification while at your destination, your passport will work for this. Before you leave, make a copy of it to bring along to your destination and one to leave at home – this will come in handy if your passport gets lost.
Visa We’ll provide the instructions if you need to apply for a visa prior to departure. You’re responsible for your visa application, so be sure to start applying in time and pay all fees required for the application process. You can always get in touch with your local EF office for more information regarding the visa you need to travel abroad.
Travel protection It is mandatory to be insured during your language course. Erika has been the exclusive insurance provider to EF customers for 20 years. Our EF staff are familiar with this insurance company and know what to do and where to call in case of an emergency. They also have claim forms at hand to help students with minor issues.
Flights Your local EF office can help with arranging your flights. Our travel services ensure competitive prices and flexible tickets – which means you can rebook your flight. Once your flight booking is completed, enter your details in EF Campus Connect, so the school staff and your homestay hosts know when to expect you and can arrange your transfer from the airport. If you have booked an EF Group travel your flight details will automatically appear here when they are confirmed.
Transfers Your local EF office can help with arranging transport to and from your destination's airport – which you can reserve over the phone or on EF Campus Connect. Students who choose to use our transfer service will be met at the airport by an EF Representative and driven to their town. There they will either continue straight to their accommodation or get picked up by their Host family. Please keep in mind that we have many students arriving at the same time, so you may have to wait a little while for all students to arrive.
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EF Pre-departure Meeting You’ll find out more about life at your destination, get a packing list and meet fellow classmates at our EF Pre-departure Meeting – which we recommend you attend. If you are under 18 years old we recommend that your parents attend together with you You’ll receive an email invitation to your Departure Meeting, which you can be either online or in person.
Medicine If you take medicine, it’s important that you bring enough of your prescription to last for the duration of your trip – unless you’re sure you can get a prescription at your destination.
Tuck away any extra medicine, glasses or contact lenses in your carry-on luggage.
Phone numbers and addresses Make sure that you have the phone number and address of your local EF office, airport transfer service, EF school and accommodation filled out at the back of this handbook. These will come in handy if you need to communicate flight delays or changes in your schedule.
snacks or souvenirs. You can request the currency used in your destination from your local bank.
School supplies Bring pens and notebooks along with you to your destination. Should you choose to bring a dictionary with you, we recommend bringing one translated into your native language, as well as one in your study language. You’ll receive all additional course material upon your arrival to school.
Money Bring enough money to cover public transport expenses for the first week of your stay. You may want to bring a little extra in case you’d like to purchase
Checklist □ □
Sign and return the Code of Conduct Sign and return the Terms & Conditions
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Sign and return your EF Liability Waiver
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Take the Placement Test on EF Campus Connect
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Ensure you have a valid passport
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Apply for the required visas
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Pack medicine
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Get travel insurance
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Book flights and transfers*
Exchange money into your destination’s currency
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Book an appointment for a PCR test or antigen test (min. 72 hours before departure)
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Get school supplies
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Pre-buy Campus Credits on EF Campus Connect
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Enter your flight details into EF Campus Connect
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If on a group course - reach out to your Course Leader
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Attend an EF Departure Meeting
* If travelling as a group check EF Campus Connect for your flight details.
Study. \'stə-dē\ Learning a language with EF is more than just classroom study – you'll also hone your skills by practicing in real-world situations and in technologyenhanced lessons.
Your language program 17
Gather all the information you need to know about studying abroad with EF – from what your first day of school will look like to what to do when you’re absent. Your language level
Passport to Learn
Attendance
Before you leave for your course destination, you’ll need to log on to your EF Campus Connect account and take our language test (may not be applicable for some EF Camps & Studios). We’ll use your results – along with an oral test on your first day of school – to make sure you’re in the right class.
The Passport to Learn is where younger students and teachers track learning achievements in English as well as local cultural knowledge and life skills developed. It is recommended for students to write their learning goals and mark their progress on the CEFR. This is a book that students should be proud to take back home and show their parents.
It’s really important to attend all of your classes – but, if you’re ill or can’t make it, be sure to let the Academic Office know. If you’re ill for three days or more, you’ll need to bring a doctor’s note with you when you return to class. If you’re not sure how to get a doctor’s note, talk to the staff at your school. Please remember that we’ll have to send you a warning letter if your attendance gets close to the minimum of 80%. If you're under 18, we’ll also have to contact your parents or sponsors if your attendance continues to decline.
Your first day of school You’ll start learning on the first day of your course, and most of our students arrive at their destination the day before it begins. Your first day will be spent getting ready for your studies ahead and meeting classmates and teachers. You’ll also receive your timetable, as well as information about your school and destination city.
Your timetable Your timetable is structured based on which program you’re studying. You’ll have either 32, 26 or 20 lessons per week, each lasting for 40 minutes – mostly organized in double lessons lasting 80 minutes.
Changing or extending your program The Academic Team can advise you on all the different study programs that EF offers. If you’d like to change your program or extend your stay, just come see us.
How you’ll learn 18
Our innovative learning method guarantees that you’ll make maximum progress in your studies. And you’ll have our support around the clock. General language lessons Sixteen of your lessons will focus on general language skills like vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation. A further four (two for the basic course) Project Sessions will improve your research and communication skills through practical work.
Special Interest Classes (SPINS) In addition to your General Language classes, you’ll have some Special Interest Classes (SPIN classes) for subjects that you’re interested in or that you’d like to use for your career or education goals. The SPIN class options you can choose from depends on what program you’re enrolled in and which classes are available during your stay. You can also take online SPIN classes. Depending on your course type you might also have Spin classes as part of your schedule.
Lectures
Monitoring progress
You’ll have two lecture sessions every week. Each one will focus on a different subject – like history, art, local culture or current affairs.
To check that you’re at the right learning level, there will be class tests and quizzes each week. We’ll also give you a progress test at the end of each study stage.
Outside the classroom Traveling to another country to learn the language means a lot of opportunity to practice. To really advance your fluency, speak the language outside of the classroom and make friends with students from other countries. And remember, don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
Academic Excursions Some of your lessons might be in the shape of Academic excursions. It is important that you take part, interact with your classmates and take this opportunity to really live the language.
Homework Your teachers will give you homework to complement your work in class. You can request extra assignments to practice.
Proof of your success EF offers language exams in all the languages that we teach. If you’ve attended at least 80% of your classes, you can take the EF Standard English Test (EF SET) in your final week at school (English courses only). This test evaluates your language level using the internationally-recognized Common European Framework of Reference standards.
EF English Language Test This is an exclusive junior testdeveloped by EF to demonstrate a student’s language performance at the end of their course. This is a sit-down paper test under exam conditions. Each student will receive personal test certificate with their CEFR score, achieved on their final test.
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Live. \'liv\ Whether you’re going on a weekend excursion with friends or bonding over dinner with your host family – you’ll live the language with EF.
Accommodation FAQs 21
Sit back and relax – whether you’re coming home to a local family, living at a residence in the heart of your destination city or staying steps from your course center at an EF Campus. What should I do if I damage something in my EF Homestay? At an EF Homestay, any damages or breakages you cause should be resolved between you and your homestay hosts – but we can help if needed. It’s best that you offer to pay for any damages you cause or claim them on your insurance. How do I keep my valuables safe? Keep your passport, return ticket, money, traveler’s cheques and anything else valuable in a safe place (i.e. your locked suitcase). Tell your school staff immediately if anything goes missing. Do I have a curfew time? If you’re under 18 years old, you have a curfew for returning home. This may vary from destination to destination but please respect the times you are given, they are for your own safety.
host or Residence Advisor if you’re not going to spend the night at home or you're going away for the weekend. If your hosts are expecting you home and you don’t arrive, they will report you as missing to the police. When going out, it’s a good idea to only carry exactly what you’ll need – like small amounts of cash, your EF ID and a copy of your passport. Can I change my homestay host? Please visit the Accommodation Team at your EF school if you're not comfortable – as it's one of our top priorities. Changes are usually made during the weekend – and we'll need parental consent if you're under 18. Please keep in mind that it is not possible to change your homestay based on distance from school and that it may not be possible to change your family immediately during busy times of the year. How do I get from my
What should I do if I want to
accommodation to the school?
stay out?
The travel time from your accommodation to the EF school is a maximum one hour. This includes all transport (by foot, bus, metro...). In the United
You may only do so if you’re over 18. Always tell your homestay
States, host families often live in the suburbs, or in smaller towns around the course location. The host family will help you on the first day with clear instructions on how to get to school. If you need to take public transport to school, you will need to buy a bus pass at your destination. What is a EF Homestay like? Our homestay hosts come from all walks of life and from a wide range of ethnic and religious backgrounds, reflecting the multicultural society of your destination. Our homestay demographic is represented mostly by middle-income households. There’s no typical homestay. Among EF hosts there are people of all ages; including young professionals, middleaged or retired people, couples without children, families or single parents with children of any age and single people. This means that there might not be children of your age in the homestay. It’s one of the reasons why we usually try to place you with students of your age range. However, you may be the only guest in your homestay.
Make yourself at home 22
EF Homestay Stay in an EF Homestay for maximum cultural exchange. Keep in mind that each homestay host is different and unique – just like your family back home.
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Some important things to remember - Your host family will not change their daily habits, you will be integrated into the family's daily life. This is what makes your experience so exciting! - The key might be shared between you & your fellow EF students staying with the family. In case you lose the key, you’ll have to pay for a new one. If you are not given a key to the house your Host Family will ensure they are at home to let you in. – - You should always ask your hosts’ permission before bringing friends back to the house. - Your host family can live in an apartment, one-story house, condominium, or a villa that is probably not the same size as you have at home. The home, and your room, may be smaller and differently decorated than you are used to. - An individual language trip includes breakfast and dinner on weekdays, and breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekends. On group travels and supervised group travels, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day. Expect to get a lunch pack to school.
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Most host families gather for dinner, but not all. Some host families have different habits and routines. Part of living abroad means trying dishes you might not have tasted before. If there are certain foods you really can’t eat for any reason, let the staff at your EF Course Center know. If you get hungry during the day, you’ll need to buy extra snacks for yourself. Your hosts will wash your bed linen but you’ll need to clean your own clothes, either at home or at a local laundrette. Ask your hosts how it works in their house and speak to your school staff to find out more about how much a laundrette costs.
EF Campus Living allows you make new friends from day one.
- Always ask your hosts before using their home telephone to make a call. It’s usually easier to buy a prepaid phone card from the Activities Office at your EF Course Center. - The travel time from your accommodation to the EF school is a maximum one hour. If you need to take public transport to school, you will need to buy a bus pass at your destination. - You can always access the internet at your EF school. Ask your homestay hosts' permission to use the internet at home. Remember, never download any illegal material from the internet, either at school or your homestay.
EF San Diego
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EF Residence or EF Campus Living
Some important things to remember
Whether you choose an EF Residence or EF Campus Living, you'll get the chance to meet new friends and share your experience of living in another country. An EF Residence is usually off-site, while EF Campus Living is usually just steps from your classes. The location of EF Residences can vary, but they’re located near local amenities and public transport links.
- You may be sharing a room with other EF students. The number of students in your room varies depending on your destination and your specific residence. You’ll find out who your roommates are when you arrive at your residence. - Nationalities of students staying together in an EF Residence vary greatly, so it’s a great opportunity to connect with people from around the world. - Meals: Group travel - Full board included (half board in Malta, Santa Barbara, and New York). Supervised group travel - Meals vary depending on destination and residence. Many residences have shared kitchens where students can cook dinner together.
- Most residences do not have a safe available. Remember to bring a suitcase with a lock where you can store your valuables. - Alcohol is not allowed on any of EF's premises, including our residences and campuses. - You may need to bring an accommodation deposit along with you to your destination. Given there are no damages, this will be returned upon your departure. The deposit is usually around 50 USD/EUR/GBP. - Your residence often has different room sizes - single, double and multi rooms. You can not select a specific room. - At some of EF's Junior Residences, the rooms are not locked for security reasons. The students do not get any keys.
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Your activities 25
Make the most of your trip abroad – explore your destination city, go on a weekend getaway or just play a game of cards. Exciting weekly timetables Activities organized by EF make it simple and fun to learn more about your country of study, meet friends, practice your language skills – and take home some great memories. On your first day of school, you will get your weekly schedule and information about extra activities. You can also preregister for activities on EF Campus Connect approx. 30 days before departure. We recommend that you preregister for all activities of your interest, to ensure that you do not miss out on activities and/ or excursions you would like to join.
Excursions We organize day and weekend trips to the most famous cities and main attractions in the country, available throughout your stay. You’ll find these trips advertized in advance with posters around the school, as well as on EF Campus Connect and Facebook. Simply sign up in the Activities Office, where you can find more information on all the excursions offered.
Independent travel
Items for sale
If you are enrolled on an individual travel, and are 16+ years old, you can travel by yourself. Our Activities Team is always available to offer helpful advice and suggestions.
You’ll find plug adapters, postcards, EF souvenirs, SIM cards for mobile phones and other useful items for sale in your school’s Activities Office or will get guidance to the nearest place to buy what you need.
EF student card You’ll be given your EF student card on the first day of school. Always keep it with you, as it will be used to identify you within the school or EF accommodation. You can usually use this card to get discounts around the city in restaurants, shops and attractions – find out more at your school’s Activities Office.
18+ Activities The legal drinking age in many countries is 18 years old, although the exact age depends on the specific country you’re staying in. EF will host parties off-site. For some of these events, you must be the minimum drinking age or older to attend. Drink responsibly – and we recommend traveling home in a group for safety.
Sports equipment If you need sports equipment, check with the EF Activities Office to see if you can borrow things like footballs, tennis rackets or ping-pong paddles.
Group travel and Supervised Group Travel If you are on a group or supervised course you will have a full activity schedule during you course. This will include all the most popular things to do in your destination and maximise the fun you will have. There will be activities included in your course fee as well as activities that you can pay a small fee for. If you don't want to take part in the paid activity there will always be a free option. EF Staff will take attendance at the activities and disciplinary action might be taken for students not attending.
Support. \sə-'port\ We’re here for you. Regardless of whether you have a question or just need some friendly advice.
Your school team 27
Raise your concerns, ask your important questions and let us know how we're doing – we’re here to help. School Director
Activities Team
The School Director or Center Manager is the head of the school and manages school operations and staff.
They will know all the fun there is to do in your town and will ensure you make the most of your trip.
Director of Studies & Academic Director
Course Leaders
Talk to the Director of Studies regarding any academic related matters.
Residence Advisor Any queries regarding residence life should go to the Residence Advisor.
Accommodation Manager & Housing Director Any queries regarding host families should go straight to the Housing Director.
Teachers If you think you’re in the wrong class level, let your teacher know – they'll give you the support you need. They will know all the fun there is to do in your town and will ensure you make the most of your trip.
If on a group travel, you can always reach out to your course leader if you have any questions. He/She will work closely with the activities and school team.
Our school code 28
You deserve the best experience – that’s why we have a school code. Follow our guidelines for the experience of a lifetime. Why have a code? Our school code was created together by EF school staff and students to make sure our campuses are happy places to be. It’s essential that you stick to the following guidelines at all times: please read through the guidelines on the next page carefully.
What happens if I break a rule? Our school code is important to us – but any national laws are much more serious. If you break any EF rules or local laws like persistent absence from class, disruptive behavior or a criminal offense, we reserve the right to terminate your course.
The elements of a successful course 29
To ensure maximum progress, speak your study language at all times.
Actively participate in class and complete all homework.
Attend all your lessons – you need at least 80% attendance to graduate and take the final language exam.
Arrive to class on time – you won’t be allowed in if you’re more than 10 minutes late.
If you’re going to miss a class because you’re sick or for any reason, let the school know immediately.
Keep your mobile phone switched off in class and don’t bring food or drinks to lessons.
Your property is special – and so is ours. Make sure you take care of it.
Always treat your fellow students, staff and homestay hosts with respect.
Most importantly, you must always follow all national and local laws.
My documents 30
Passports and visas Every student needs to have: - A valid passport: If you go to USA or Australia, your passport validity has to be six months after the day you travel back home and have minimum 2 empty pages - A visa for specific destinations: For the USA, you will received all information regarding the ESTA procedure. If your country of origin requires a visa to travel to the USA please notify the Sales Office as soon as possible. For Australia, we take care of all procedures through our travel department; this will be linked to your flight ticket. - If you don’t have a passport, please check with your own Embassy or consulate as procedures and requirements might be different - Tip: make two copies of your passport. One for your parents 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
Special diets and allergies
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 with respect to the law, our staff are not allowed to give medicine 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 the office in your country, so they can let the EF Course Leader and the local team know if this is necessary.
If you need a special diet because of allergies or special wishes like vegetarian food, inform the office in your country well before departure. This may cost extra in some destinations. 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, 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.
Due to Covid-19, all students need to have a valid vaccination certificate that is valid throughout the trip. To minimize the risk of infection and disease in our schools, all students must take a covid test, PCR or antigen, within 72 hours before departure.
Things to remember 31
This contact information will come in handy during your stay. Be sure to fill it all in before you leave for your adventure abroad. My local EF office Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________ You can find the following information on EF Campus Connect.
My EF course leader Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________________________________ Emergency phone number: _____________________________________________________
My EF School Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________________________________ School Director’s name: ________________________________________________________
My accommodation Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________________________________
My Transfer service Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________________________________
Become an EF Ambassador 32
Earn rewards by simply sharing your EF experience. There’s no commitment – share as much or as little as you’d like. How it works
Share
Travel
Join an international community of EF students and earn rewards by sharing your EF experience.
You’ll earn points simply by sharing the EF experience. There are many ways to spread your message – from posting things on Facebook to hitting the streets with EF flyers in-hand.
Earn enough points and we’ll send you to an international Ambassador Meeting, on a free course abroad or on next year’s globetrotting Ambassador Tour!
1. Sign up at ef.com/ambassador 2. Set up your account with the link you receive via email 3. Download the EF Circle app to have everything in one place Questions? Give your local EF office a call.
Earn Receive great rewards – like movie tickets, a new iPad or even a free language course abroad by earning points through the activities you do and friends you recommend.
Sign up ef.com/ambassador
Andrea Beltrando, EF New York
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“Being an Ambassador is incredible. It gave me the chance to meet new friends and the big opportunity to fly to Zurich for the global meeting.”
A year in the life of an EF Ambassador Month 1
Month 3
Month 6
Month 9
Month 12
Become an EF Ambassador as soon as you enroll in your course.
Share your EF experience with your friends and invite them along on the adventure of a lifetime.
Soak up your EF experience abroad. Tell your story and remember it all with a blog.
Attend a study abroad fair with EF’s staff – and tell everyone about your EF trip to earn rewards.
Join our top ambassadors at one of the international Ambassador Meetings.
Our safe learning promise 34
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority. Across hundreds of EF office and campuses around the world, dedicated EF staff are working around the clock to again be able to welcome students.
Health monitoring
Increased cleanliness
Social distancing
- Temperature checks are taken daily on campus - Our general rule is that all students and staff wear masks on campus. If you do not have one our school staff can provide for you. - Signage is displayed throughout all campuses reminding students and staff to practice preventive health measures
- Hand sanitizer stations are located at multiple locations on campuses and residences - Disinfecting surface wipes are available throughout the campus including in classrooms - We’ve increased the frequency and extended the level of routine cleaning on all campuses and residences
- All campuses practice social distancing of 2 meters apart or follow specific local regulations - Signage is displayed throughout all campuses stating the social distancing regulations - We monitor the number of students per classroom to not exceed the maximum amount - Customer service areas such as campus reception are equipped with protective plexiglass to protect the safety of our staff and students
We continue to follow local and international authorities’ advice and guidelines, while monitoring and adapting to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. Please get in touch with us if you need any advice or assistance.
Notes 35
EF International Language Campuses 22 94 12 00 ef.com EF Norway Strandvägen 13B 114 87 Stockholm Sweden 22 94 12 00 sprakreiser@ef.com
Explore the world, discover yourself
