International Language Campuses
Student handbook Your guide to the EF experience Canada www.ef.com
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Welcome to the EF Family 03
Learn a language, make new friends and create memories for life at one of our 52 destinations around the world. Dear Student,
Contents
Your EF Language Course is the start of a great adventure abroad. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that you enjoy your stay – with dedicated support, an innovative learning method and a full schedule of leisure activities. Set some goals for your journey in the coming months. It’s going to be one to remember.
04 What to expect 08 Meeting a new culture 10 Getting ready for your trip
This handbook will provide all the information you need for your stay abroad – from arranging a transfer to booking excursions. Take time to read through it and be sure to bring it along with you to your destination. You never know when you’ll need to find out more about doing laundry or catching the bus to school. Speak to a member of EF Staff if you have any questions. We’re here for you around the clock – and all want your experience to be a memorable one. We look forward to welcoming you.
1) Study 12 Your language program 14 How you’ll learn
2) Live 16 Accomodation FAQs 18 Living options 20 Your freetime
3) Support 22 Your school team 24 Our school code 28 Become an Ambassador 32 Things to remember 32 Notes
Sincerely, Your EF Canada Team
11 Languages 52 Destinations 100+ Nationalities
What to expect 04
You’re in store for a great adventure. Know what to expect from your EF experience – and what we expect of you. What to expect from your language course
What to expect from your residence
-- Information about the course location before departure. -- Staff to provide support and answer questions around the clock. -- Teaching that blends classroom lessons, interactive tools and cultural immersion -- Accommodation in a homestay or residence. -- Assistance if you wish to prepare for a language exam. -- A wide range of leisure activities – either free or for a small cost. -- A course diploma and a language certificate, which requires 80% attendance.
-- A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s language center -- Sharing your accommodation with a student from another country.
What to expect from your homestay -- Experiencing a new culture. -- Enjoying meals at your homestay. -- A one-hour maximum commute to EF’s language center. -- Sharing twin accommodation with a student from another country.
What we expect from you -- At least 80% attendance in class. -- Respect for your homestay hosts, fellow students and environment. -- Obeying all laws and regulations applicable in the country and school. -- Staying neat at school and in your homestay or residence. -- Telling EF Staff if something feels wrong or does not meet your expectations.
Get ready! The adventure of a lifetime is here!
Meeting a new culture 05
The experience of a lifetime comes with meeting a new culture. Prepare for your adventure – and get ready to immerse in Canadian culture. Welcoming another culture
Conquer culture shock
Culture is a mix of beliefs, customs, art and language that define a society or population. It’s learned from family, teachers and friends, knowingly and unknowingly. Your culture determines how you perceive yourself, the way you relate to others and what you consider important. It shapes your identity – and makes it easy to connect with people from your country. Behaviors and practices are easy to see, but our attitudes and core values aren’t as simple to pinpoint. Immerse yourself in a new culture by reflecting on what you’re most excited to try or learn about your destination’s culture.
Culture shock can begin as the initial excitement of your destination subsides. You may feel uneasy or homesick, which leads to identifying drawbacks of the new country. It’s not uncommon to experience physical symptoms like trouble sleeping or losing your appetite. Rest assured that this period of adjustment will pass. If you experience culture shock during your stay, please come to speak to the staff and they will support you in any way possible.
Take actions toward understanding a new culture
Friends
Activities
Adjust
Goals
Grow
Make friends from countries other than your own.
Keep busy – from studying to playing a sport
Decisions are best made after you’ve adjusted to your destination.
Set goals. You’ll be reminded of your Language Course’s purpose.
Remember that you’re growing every day – don't give up!
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“ My time in London was amazing. I lived with a great host family and my host sister was amazing!” Graziella Bianchi, Italy EF London
“ Studying abroad with EF gave me the opportunity to make so many new friends – it was an amazing experience." Dominique Jaegger, Switzerland EF New York
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Getting ready for your trip 08
Your trip is right around the corner. Be sure you don’t miss anything before you leave – from applying for visas to getting airline tickets. My EF
Travel protection
Log on to My EF – a social network exclusively for EF students. Use it to take your placement test, get in touch with your future classmates, reserve an airport transfer (up to 7 days prior to departure), sign up for local activities and clubs, receive notifications from EF staff, join our Ambassador program, practice your language skills or explore your destination. Check your inbox for the email you received with login details upon enrollment – and log on at my.ef.com.
It is mandatory to be insured during your language course. Erika has been the exclusive insurance provider to EF customers for 20 years. People working in the EF schools are familiar with this insurance company and know what to do and where to call in case of an emergency. They also have claim forms at hand to help students with minor issues.
Flights
Make sure that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay abroad and six months after your return. Before you leave, make a copy of it to bring along to your destination and one to leave at home – this will come in handy if your passport gets lost.
Your local EF office can help with arranging your flights. Our travel services ensure competitive prices and flexible tickets – which means you can rebook your flight. Once your flight booking is completed, enter all of your flight details into My EF well in advance, so the school staff and your homestay hosts know when to expect you and can arrange your transfer from the airport.
Visa / eTA / Study Permit / Work
Transfers
Citizens of some countries must enter with a visa. (List of countries: http://www.cic. gc.ca/). If you do not need a visa, and will arrive on an airplane, you need to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). If you are studying for more than 6 months, you must apply for a Study Permit in your home country. You’re responsible for your immigration documents – so, be sure to start applying on time. Want to work in Canada? Visit the website above for details.
Your local EF office can help with arranging transportation to and from your destination's airport – which you can reserve over the phone or on My EF up to 7 days prior to departure. Students who choose to use our transfer service will be met at the airport by an EF Representative and driven to their accommodation’s front door. Please keep in mind, we have many students arriving at the same time so you may have to wait a little for all students to arrive.
Passport
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Departure meeting
School supplies
You’ll find out more about life at your destination, get a packing list and meet fellow classmates at our Departure Meeting – which we recommend you attend. You’ll receive an email invitation to your Departure meeting, which you can attend either online or in person.
Bring pens and notebooks along with you to your destination, or you can purchase additional notebooks and supplies on campus at the Activities Desk. Should you choose to bring a dictionary with you – we recommend bringing one translated into your native language, as well as one in your study language. You’ll receive all additional course material upon your arrival to school.
Medicine If you take medicine, it’s important that you bring enough of your prescription to last for the duration of your trip – unless you’re sure you can get a prescription at your destination. Tuck away any extra medicine, glasses or contact lenses in your carry-on luggage.
Phone numbers and addresses Make sure that you have the phone number and address of your local EF office, airport transfer service, EF school and accommodation can be filled in at the back of this handbook. These will come in handy if you need to communicate flight delays or changes in your schedule. Make sure that the email address is yours and not that of your parents/guardians.
Money Bring enough money to cover public transportation expenses for the first week of your stay. You may want to bring a little extra in case you’d like to purchase snacks or souvenirs. You can request the currency used in your destination from your local bank.
Checklist
☐ Sign the Contract ☐ Sign and return your medical form ☐ Take the Placement Test on My EF ☐ Ensure you have a valid passport ☐ Apply for the required visas ☐ Get travel insurance ☐ Book flights ☐ Arrange transfers your complete flight details ☐ Enter into My EF ☐ Attend an EF Departure Meeting ☐ Pack medicine money in your destination’s ☐ Get currency ☐ Get school supplies
Study
[study] Learning a language with EF is more than just classroom study – you'll also hone your skills by practicing in real-world situations and in technology-enhanced lessons.
Your language program 11
Get everything you need to know about studying abroad with EF – from what your first day of school will look like to what to do when you’re absent. Your language level Before you leave for your course destination, you’ll need to log on to your My EF account and take our language test. We’ll use your results – along with an oral test on your first day of school – to make sure you’re in the right class. There are 6 different stages and each stage takes approximately 12-18 weeks. A1 Beginner A2 Elementary B1 Intermediate B2 Upper Intermediate C1 Advanced C2 Upper Advanced
Your first day of school You’ll start attending your first classes on the day after you've checked-in, attended orientation and participated in the campus & city tours. Most of our students arrive at their destination the previous day. Your first day will be spent getting ready for your studies ahead and meeting classmates and teachers. You’ll also receive your textbooks and timetable, as well as information about your school and destination city.
Your timetable Your academic schedule is structured based on which course you’re studying; Intensive/Exam, General or Basic. You’ll have either
32, 26 or 20 lessons per week, each lasting for 40 minutes. These lessons are organized as double lessons lasting one hour and 20 minutes, each with a 10 minute break between.
Attendance All students are expected to attend class 100% of the time. EF students are required to remain "in status." This means that students must have at least 80% total attendance in order to receive a certificate. Students who are studying on a study permit must meet the minimum standard of 80% attendance. If a student is 10 minutes late, he is marked absent. Leaving the classroom for more than 20 minutes will also result in an absence for that block, as will an early departure of 10 minutes or more. In extreme cases, if a student is being particularly disrespectful or disruptive, he or she may be asked to leave the class which would result in an absence. Students must comply with attendance policies. Attendance can be accessed via MyEF with students' login. Students can access an hourly report of their daily studies and see their total program hours completed to date in the Academic Office. Students with unacceptable attendance will receive a warning letter. For students under the age of 19, their
parents/legal guardians will also be notified. Warning letters sent via email are valid and students must adhere to the requirements set forth in them. Students are responsible for checking their email and reporting to EF staff for all scheduled absences. All absences will affect overall attendance percentage as students are expected to manage their attendance within the 20% allowed. The complete Warning Letter system can be found posted on the Student Services & Academic Board on campus. Process to Report An Absence: To report an absence, a student should call the campus at 604633-0505 and/or speak to the academic administration staff in the academic department.
Changing or extending your program The Academic Team can advise you on all the different study programs that EF offers. If you’d like to change your program or extend your stay, just come see us. We can also prepare you for official language exams in your study language (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and Japanese) if you reserve them in advance – and they're available at your course center. Talk to your school's Academic Team to find out more about exam dates, costs and availability.
How you’ll learn 12
Our innovative learning method guarantees that you’ll make maximum progress in your studies. And you’ll have our support around the clock. General language lessons Sixteen of your lessons will focus on general language skills like vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation. A further four (two for the basic course) Project Sessions will improve your research and communication skills through practical work tailored to your interests.
Special interest classes In addition to your General Language classes, you’ll have some Special Interest classes (SPIN classes) for subjects that you’re interested in or that you’d like to use for your career or education goals. The SPIN class options you can choose from depends on what program you’re enrolled in and which classes are available during your stay. You can also take online SPIN classes. Please see the full list of options in the Academic Office on campus.
Lectures
Monitoring progress
You’ll have two lecture sessions every week. Each one will focus on a different subject – like history, art, local culture or current affairs.
To check that you’re at the right learning level, there will be class tests and quizzes each week. We’ll also give you a progress test at the end of each study stage. You can follow your progress and attendance on your iTracker via MyEF.
Outside the classroom Traveling to another country to learn the language means a lot of opportunity to practice. To really advance your fluency, speak the language outside of the classroom and make friends with students from other countries. And remember, don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
Homework Your teachers will give you homework to complement your work in class. Ask your teacher if you’d like extra homework, practice or assignments.
Proof Of Your Success EF offers language exams in all the languages that we teach. If you’ve attended at least 80% of your classes, you can take the EF Standard English Test (EFSET) in your final week at school (English courses only). This test evaluates your language level using the internationally-recognized Common European Framework of Reference standards.
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Live
[live] Whether you’re going on a weekend excursion with friends or bonding over dinner with your host family – you’ll live the language with EF.
Accommodation FAQs 15
Sit back and relax – whether you’re coming home to a local family, living at a residence in the heart of your destination city or staying steps from your course 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 not carry large amounts of cash. Do I have a curfew time? If you’re 16 or 17 years old you will have a curfew. 16 year olds: time for returning home is 22:00 Sunday to Thursday and 23:00 weekends. 17 year olds: time for returning home is 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and 24:00 weekends Please respect the times you are given, they are for your own safety.
What should I do if I want to stay out? You may only do so if you’re over 18. Always tell your homestay host or Residence Advisor if you’re not going to spend the night at home or going away for the weekend. If your hosts are expecting you home and you don’t arrive, they will report you as missing to the police. When going out, it’s a good idea to only carry exactly what you’ll need – like small amounts of cash, your EF ID and a copy of your passport. Can I change my homestay host? Please come see the Accommodation Team at your EF school if you're not comfortable – as it's one of our top priorities. Changes are usually made on the weekend – and we'll need parental consent if you're under 18. Please keep in mind that it is not possible to change your homestay based on distance from school and that it may not be possible to change your family immediately during busy times of the year. Can I stay in my own accommodation? If you’re under the age of 18 you must stay in EF's host
family or with verified family or family friends. If you are 18+ and wish to find your own or private accommodation, you must tell EF the address and telephone number and update us of any changes during your time with us. Remember, it’s your responsibility to manage your private accommodation arrangements. 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 Canada. Our homestay demographic is represented mostly by middleincome households. There’s no typical homestay. Among EF hosts there are people of all ages; including young professionals, middleaged or retired people, couples without children, families or single parents with children of any age, single people. This means that there might not be children of your age in the homestay. It’s one of the reasons why we usually try to place you with students of your age range. However, you may be the only guest in your homestay.
Living options 16
EF Homestay Stay in an EF Homestay for maximum cultural exchange. Keep in mind, each homestay host is different and unique – just like your family back home. Some important things to remember -- You may be sharing a room in your EF Homestay with another student of the same gender from your EF course center. -- You’ll be given a key to the house – but if you lose it, you’ll have to pay for a new one. -- You should always ask your hosts’ permission before bringing friends back to the house. -- Enjoy breakfast and dinner during the week and all meals during the weekend. Be sure to let your homestay hosts know if you're going to miss a meal. -- Part of living abroad means you’ll need to try dishes you might not have tasted before. If there are certain food you really can’t eat for any reason, let the staff at your EF course center know. -- If you get hungry during the day, you’ll need to buy extra snacks for yourself. -- Your hosts will wash your bed linen but you’ll need to clean your own clothes, either at home or at a local laundrette.
Ask your homestay host how it works in their house and speak to your school staff to find out more about how much a laundromat costs. -- Always ask your hosts before using their home telephone to make a call. It’s usually easier to buy a SIM card, Skype credit or use applications like Whatsapp to make phone calls. -- 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, neither at school nor your homestay.
Stay at an EF residence and make new friends from day one
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EF Residence Staying at an EF Residence gives you the chance to meet new friends and share your experience of living in another country. An EF Residence is off-site, requiring local transit to attend classes. The location of EF Residences vary, but they’re always located near local amenities and public transport links. Some important things to remember -- You may be sharing a room with other EF students. The number of students in your room varies depending on your choice of room type 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 are not provided at the residence. Each residence features shared kitchens where you can prepare your own meals. Speak to your local EF office or school staff to find out more about the complete amenities. -- It’s a good idea to prepare for
your stay abroad by planning a weekly budget. Remember that you’ll be sharing space with other students. -- Alcohol and drugs, including marijuana, are not allowed on any of EFs premises, including the Residences and Campus. Students who are staying in an EF Residence will be required to read, sign and comply with the Residence Community Standards. -- You may be asked for a security deposit at your residence. Given there are no damages and your keys are returned, this will be returned upon your departure.
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Your free time 19
Make the most of your trip abroad – explore your destination city, go on a weekend getaway or just play a game of cards. Exciting Activity Calendars 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. There are a variety of activities ranging from soccer/sports clubs, kayaking and movie or game nights. You can get a new monthly activity calendar from the Activities Office or log on to my.ef.com to find out what’s been planned.
Excursions We partner with EF trusted local excursion companies to organize weekend trips to the most popular must-see attractions in the country, available throughout your stay. Talk to the Activities staff on campus or find more details on MyEF. You can sign up at the Activities Office, where you can find more information on all the excursions offered by your EF course campus. EF often gets amazing discounts for students!
If you would like to visit the US during your stay in Canada, please check the entry requirements before leaving your home country.
Independent travel If you’d like to travel by yourself, our Activities Team is always available to offer helpful advice and suggestions. You’ll also find guide books, magazines and folders full of useful information about places to visit. Please let the school know about your travel details to ensure your safety.
EF student card All students are encouraged to pick up their EF student card at Reception. You may upload your favourite photo of yourself via MyEF, and we can use that photo or we will take a new photo of you for your ID card. 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 a selection of restaurants, shops and
attractions – find out more at your school’s Activities Office.
18+ activities The legal drinking age in BC is 19 years old. EF may host parties off-site in licensed establishments. For some of these events, you must be the minimum drinking age or older to attend. You’ll need to show a valid ID, such as a passport or national identity card. Drink responsibly – and we recommend traveling home in a group for safety.
Items for sale 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.
Sports equipment If you need sports equipment, check with the Activities Office to see if you can borrow things like footballs, tennis rackets or ping pong paddles and balls.
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Support \s
- port\ [support] We’re here to help you. Regardless of whether you have a question or just need some friendly advice.
Your school team 21
Raise your concerns, ask your important questions and let us know how we're doing we’re here to help you.
School Director The School Director is the head of the school and manages school operations and staff.
Student Services Manager Any questions about your life in Canada? Whether you feel ill or homesick, or just want to know a good place to eat, come to talk to the Student Services Manager.
Academic Director and Academic Manager Talk to the Director of Studies regarding any academicrelated matters.
Housing Manager & Accommodation Coordinator Any queries regarding host families or residence should go straight to the Housing Manager.
Teachers If you think you’re in the wrong class level, let your teacher know – and they'll give you the support you need.
Our school code 22
You deserve the best experience – that’s why we have a school code. Follow our guidelines for the experience of a lifetime. Why have a code?
What happens if I break a rule?
Our school code was created together by EF school staff and students to make sure our campuses are happy places to be. It’s essential that you stick to the following guidelines at all times: please read carefully the the guidelines on the right page.
Our school code is important to us – but any national laws are much more serious. If you break any EF rules or local laws like persistent absence from class, disruptive behavior or a criminal offense, we reserve the right to terminate your course.
The elements of a successful course 23
To ensure maximum progress, speak your study language at all times.
Actively participate in class and complete all homework.
Attend all your lessons – you need at least 80% attendance to graduate and take the final language exam.
Arrive to class on time – you won’t be allowed in if you’re more than 10 minutes late.
If you’re going to miss a class because you’re sick or for any reason, let the school know immediately.
Keep your mobile phone switched off in class and don’t bring food or drinks to lessons.
Your property is special – and so is ours. Make sure you take care of it.
Always treat your fellow students, staff and homestay hosts with respect.
Most importantly, you must always follow all national and local laws.
Become an EF Ambassador 24
Earn rewards by simply sharing your EF experience. There’s no commitment – share as much or as little as you’d like. How it works
Travel
Join an international community of EF students and earn rewards by sharing your EF experience. Signing up is easy. Log on to the site my.ef.com/ambassador or to the Ambassador tab on your My EF profile to sign up. Any questions? Give your local EF office a call.
Earn enough points and we’ll send you to an International Ambassador Meeting, on a free course abroad or on next year’s globetrotting Ambassador Tour. Better renew your passport.
Share
Simply go to my.ef.com/ambassador or to the Ambassador tab on your My EF profile to sign up.
You’ll earn points simply by sharing the EF experience. There are many ways to spread your message – from simply posting things on Facebook to hitting the streets with EF flyers in-hand.
Earn Receive great rewards – like movie tickets, a new iPad or even a free language course abroad by gaining points through the activities you do and friends you recommend. Easy peasy.
Sign up
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“ Being an Ambassador is incredible. It gave me the chance to meet new friends and the big opportunity to fly to Zurich for the global meeting.” Andrea Beltrando EF New York
A year in the life of an EF Ambassador
Month 1
Month 3
Month 6
Month 9
Month 12
Become an EF Ambassador as soon as you enroll in your course. Simple as that.
Share all about EF with your friends – and invite them on your adventure of a lifetime.
Soak in your EF experience abroad. Tell your story and remember it all with a blog.
Attend a study abroad fair with EF’s staff – and tell everyone about your EF trip to earn rewards.
Join our top ambassadors at one of the International Ambassadors Meetings.
Things to remember 26
This contact information will come in handy during your stay. Be sure to fill it all in before you leave for your adventure abroad. My local EF office Address: Phone: E-mail: Skype: You can find the following information on My EF. My transfer service Address: Phone number: Emergency phone number: My EF school Address: Phone number: School director’s name: My accommodation Address: Phone number:
Notes 27
EF International Language Campuses Vancouver Campus 750 Cambie Street Unit 200 Vancouver, BC, V6B 2P2 Tel: + 1 604 633 0505
Victoria Campus 1952 Blanchard Street Victoria, BC V8T 4J3 +1 250 999 7790