My trip, leader and group

My group

EF International Language Course & Studio courses

In class, you will be paired with a group of international students based on your level of English. This group may differ from the group you traveled 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.

EF Immersion Course

Students will be placed in different families all located in the same area, not necessarily in the same town. You will meet your Course Leader regularly for activities and excursions.

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 an International Course, you might not be in the same activity group either. We do our best to ensure that you have classes at the same time (for example, in mornings or afternoons).

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

- 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

- Item declaration card: remember to declare any prohibited items, such as food, plant animal matter or wooden products. Failure to do so may involve penalty fines. If you can avoid it, do not carry any of these prohibited items.

Traveling by train

- Meal: on the train, meals might not be served, 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. 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 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.

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 at your destination

On a Homestay course, depending on your destination, 2 different scenarios are possible:

- 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

- You will be 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 your destination. The distance between the airport and your destination 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. Don’t forget to call home!