EF Rules

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 us. 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 judgment of your EF Course Leader and staff. They are there to make your trip safe and enjoyable. As 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

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. If you become ill and cannot make it to school or a planned activity, inform your EF Course Leader or school staff at your ‘check in’. In case of an emergency, it’s important that we know your whereabouts at all times.

Follow local rules and regulations

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.

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.

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 EF Course Leader or EF staff.

Damages

If you cause damage to someone else’s property, to your homestay host's house, in the 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 www.erikainsurance.com.

Bullying and inappropriate behavior

Treat your course friends, EF Leaders and staff 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.

Smoking

Abide by the rules related to smoking in your Homestay, in the school, and within the community.

All EF Campuses, 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 an 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 authorize 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 School Director together with the EF 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 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 when booking.