Coldham’s Common

Stonebridge Common

Midsummer Common

Parkers Piece

Cambridge Golf Course

Queen’s Green

Grafton Shopping Centre

Anglia Ruskin University

University Botanical Gardens

Homerton College

Cambridge Train Station

EF Corporate Training

University of Cambridge

King ‘s College

Queen’s College

www.ef.com

LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

EF Cambridge Clare College

Cambridge is a charming university city, offering

the best of England’s academic heritage. While

taking classes at Clare College you may enjoy the

atmosphere and gardens of Cambridge University.

Contact details:221 Hills RoadCambridge, CB2 8RN, UKTel: +(44) 1223 240020

Cambridge Clare College

Accreditations and Memberships

The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,

Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol

and Bournemouth are:

EF Dublin is accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers

in the USA are members of:

The EF Interna-tional Language

Centers in the USA are accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in

Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:

EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue

Etrangère.

EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.

All EF Courses are certified by Southern

New Hampshire University.

EF Education is an active participant in

the Comité Européen de Normalisation.

The EF International Language Centers

in Brisbane and Perth are mem-

bers of:

The EF International Language Centers in

Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are

accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,

Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are

members of:

All EF Courses are recognized by Hult

International Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

Section ........Topic

1 .............Introduction to EF

2 .............Welcome to the UK

3 .............Weather watch

4 .............Travel & transfer service

5 .............School information

6 .............Academics

7 .............Accommodation & meals

8 .............Money matters

9 .............Phones, faxes & Internet

10 ...........Health care & insurance

11 ...........School activities & excursions

12 ...........Transportation

13 ...........Expectations

14 ...........UK culture & living tips

15 ...........Adjusting to a new culture

16 ...........EF school calendar & holidays

17 ...........Checklist

Contents - Clare College

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing our school at which to study

English. All the staff here looks forward to meeting

you and I am sure you will enjoy your time at the EF

International School of English, Clare College. The

EF Summer School at Clare College was founded in

1990 and our qualified teachers are experienced in all

aspects of English language teaching.

The school is lively and cosmopolitan, and outside

the classroom you will be able to practice English with

students from all over the world. You will be amazed

at how many new friends you will make, and you can

enjoy yourself with them on the activities and trips we

organise for you to participate in during your free time.

Cambridge itself is one of the most beautiful cities in

the world, with a world-famous university and a great

range of cultural and entertainment opportunities,

from King’s College Chapel to the popular nightclubs.

We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you

have an experience you will always remember!

Best wishes,Ulrike Wegner, Executive DirectorEF International Language Center, Cambridge

3 Clare College, Cambridge, UK

2. Welcome to the UK!Congratulations on choosing one of the most

interesting and varied countries to study in!

Britain’s character has been shaped by its

position as an island. It has not been success-

fully invaded since 1066 and its people have

developed their own distinctive traditions.

The Roman invasion of AD43 lasted for 350

years and helped bring culture and civilization

to the islands. This was soon replaced by the

culture and language of the Northern European

settlers that followed.

For a small island, Great Britain encompasses

much variety in its regions. Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland are ruled through London but

they remain separate countries from England.

Many have their own regional language as well

as English. Even the landscape, architecture

and food can vary from region to region, from

the mountains of Wales and Scotland to the

rolling hills of the south and west and from

the haggis of Scotland through to the fish and

chips of England.

Over three quarters of the land is set aside

for agriculture but during the 19th and 20th

centuries there was a huge growth in the urban

population. Britain became the first industria-

lised nation and thousands of people moved

from the countryside to the towns and cities

near mines, mills and factories. The effect of

this can still been seen today with many of

Britain’s streets containing small residential ter-

raced housing that was originally built to house

the influx of people.

The British love their countryside and animals.

There is a great enthusiasm for country and city

parks with many wildlife nature reserves across

the country. This even extends to the home

where many gardens are lovingly tended and it

is common to find a cat or dog as a pet.

British cities are melting pots for people from

all over the world. Since the 1950s hundreds of

thousands of immigrants came from the former

British colonies in Africa, Asia and the Carib-

bean. This ensured a steady supply of labour

into the country. Today nearly 10 per cent of

Britain’s 58 million people are from non-white

ethnic groups and over half of these were born

in Britain. In larger cities such as London, this

figure reaches nearly 40 per cent. As a result

Britain boasts a wide range of music, art, food

and religion - giving you the student exciting

new experiences.

When you are studying you will notice how Britain

has changed over the years. While still holding

on to traditions such as the Royal family and the

legal and Parliamentary systems, Great Britain

will offer you the chance to experience varied

historical, cultural and vibrant ways of life. We

believe that living abroad and learning a language

will give you valuable insights into the culture,

customs and history of your host country and

give you many essential skills to take home.

3. Weather WatchThe weather in Cambridge is typical of English

weather and is often unpredictable, although

much of the year is fairly mild. During the sum-

mer months of May, June, July, August and

September, Cambridge often has very sunny

days and the climate is generally warm.

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 3° to 18°C (37° to 64°F)

Summer: 9° to 24°C (48° to 75°F)

Autumn: 3° to 18°C (37° to 64°F)

Winter: 0° to 9°C (32° to 48°F)

4. Travel & transfer service Transfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be

confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service

from the airport to your accommodation for an

additional fee. We highly recommend that you

take advantage of this service.

At least one month before your arrival, you

must inform the EF Office in your home country

of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight

number, date and time).

1. Introduction to EFEF Education First welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language where it is natively spoken. Our innovative curriculum, the EF Efekta™ System, integrates face-to-face learning in a classroom with studying outside the classroom using the interactive learn-ing tools in our online iLab. An intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and social activi-ties results in a fast and fun way to learn a language.

EF students come from diverse back-grounds and like you, they have chosen a program to enhance their language skills as part of their academic or career plan. Many have planned for years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of EF students apply their new language skills by taking a recog-nized exam, such as Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS. Successful completion of such exams provides the necessary language qualifications for university and for professional endeavors. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives while im-proving language and study skills. Students wishing to study at university can access information and make informed academic choices through our EF University Place-ment Service.

A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission - breaking down barriers of language and culture.

4 Clare College, Cambridge, UK

When you arrive you will be met by an EF

Representative at the airport and usually trans-

ferred with other EF students. When you pass

through customs wait at the arrival area for an

EF Representative to meet you. Do not go to

another part of the airport unless an EF staff

member tells you to. If, after approximately

30 minutes you still have not met with your

greeter, go to the information desk where an

EF representative will be able to assist you.

We would ask you to be extra vigilant on ar-

rival at the airports as there have been a few

incidents where students have been picked

up by Taxi Touts, who frequently target foreign

students. They convince them they are EF Taxi

drivers, drive the students to their destination

and then charge them for the transfer telling

them that they can then claim this money back

from the school. This is not true, so please

make sure that you do not go with any driver

who is not holding an EF sign.

Please note: your local EF office will provide

you with important contact information such as

an emergency number before your departure.

Independent transfers

If you have not booked an EF transfer you can

take a coach as follows:

❚ From London Heathrow Airport you can

catch a bus from Terminal 5, or from the

central bus stop outside Terminal 2; this will

take you to Cambridge.

❚ From London Gatwick you can catch a bus

from outside the North Terminal or the South

Terminal; this will take you to Cambridge.

❚ From Stansted Airport (closest airport to

Cambridge) you can take a train direct to

Cambridge railway station or an airport bus

to Cambridge. A short taxi ride will then take

you to your final destination.

❚ Taxis are available from Cambridge bus sta-

tion or railway station.

EF International Summer School

Clare College

The Colony

Chesterton Lane

Cambridge CB4 3AA

5. School informationThe School Director is assisted by an accom-

plished staff of teachers and administrators.

There is also an Activities Coordinator who

organises EF activities and excursions.

The school offers the following facilities:

❚ Self-study room

❚ Computer room

❚ Free Internet and email access

❚ TV room

❚ Private garden

❚ Notice boards: These are very important as

they tell you most things that you need to

know. They will answer a lot of your ques-

tions and give you a lot of information about

what is going on. Please check the notice-

boards regularly as they are for your benefit.

Like all Cambridge Colleges, Clare College is

a residential community for students attending

Cambridge University and therefore EF classes

are held in specially adapted classrooms at The

Colony. Although the campus is not equipped

with an iLab, the teachers will ensure that you

have every opportunity to use audio equipment

in the classroom when necessary. Everything

possible is done to ensure that the student’s

time learning English at the school is made as

effective as possible.

6. AcademicsEF language courses give students the opportu-

nity to study the English language and the local

culture for as long, and with as much intensity,

as suits the student and his or her needs.

EF Level Placement Test

Within 24-hours after booking your course,

you’ll receive your personalized EF username

and password for the online EF campus called

My EF. Before traveling, you will take the EF

Level Placement test online. This test will mea-

sure your language level and ability, grammar

and listening comprehension abilities. Using

your test results, our academic team will place

you in one of six different language levels.

As your English language skills become stron-

ger, you will be promoted into the next language

level. You may speak with your teacher if you

feel you have been placed into the wrong level.

When you arrive at the school

All new students must first report to the EF Of-

fice, The Colony, Chesterton Lane, Cambridge.

You will be asked to pay a £100 key deposit

and an EF member of staff will show you to

your accommodation. You are then free to

explore the campus or town, meet other stu-

dents or perhaps make that first telephone call

home. In the early evening you will meet with

other new students, and a member of staff

who will take you to dinner. If you arrive too

late for dinner then you will be provided with a

cold snack and drink on arrival, which you may

eat in your room. However, should you require

a hot meal there are many restaurants and

snack bars close by.

Orientation

During your orientation you will receive your

class schedule and other important information

about the school and the city. A tour of the col-

lege and city are planned as well as fun activities

to help you meet students and staff.

General English Classes

General English classes focus on the develop-

ment of the four skills of speaking, listening,

reading and writing. They also include work on

grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Each

lesson is 40 minutes in length.

Special Interest Classes

Depending on your course type you may also

select a number of special interest (SPIN)

classes. SPINs allow you to improve your

English through the study of a wide range of

subject options. Admission to some of these

will depend on academic and linguistic level

and availability of places. The selection of SPIN

classes varies throughout the year and a stu-

dent may not be able to repeat the same SPIN

class. Each lesson is 40 minutes in length.

Class size

The average class size is 15 students with a

maximum of 17 students.

Class Schedule

Classes will be scheduled between 8.30 am

and 7.30 pm 5 consecutive days per week and

may be in the morning or the afternoon.

Peak Summer Season Timetabling

During the summer between the first week of

July and the third week of August, the school

is open for classes Monday through Saturday.

Your schedule will be either Monday to Friday

or Tuesday to Saturday between the hours

5 Clare College, Cambridge, UK

of 8.30 am and 7.30 pm. Your timetable will

confirm your schedule.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes.

Consistent failure to attend class, for what-

ever reason, may result in expulsion from the

program with no refund of course fees. In order

to be eligible for an EF certificate, students

are expected to participate in class and must

attend at least 80% of all classes.

Please note: EF complies with UK Border

Agency regulations regarding periods

of absence.

Homework

You are expected to complete all assignments

set by your teachers in General English and

Special Interest classes. If you are taking an

examination preparation class you should ex-

pect at least one hour of homework per night.

A specific time is set aside each week day for

extra study, during this time students may do

their own private study under the guidance of a

qualified teacher.

Assessment

You will be assessed at regular intervals through-

out the course. Assessment is based on atten-

dance, participation, attitude and performance.

Course books

As part of your academic program, you’ll be

expected to buy the books and classroom

materials that you will use in class. The exact

number of books that you’ll need is determined

by your academic level, progress and choice of

special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-

ditional books you may need more money. The

books you buy are yours to keep, write in and

take home with you for future reference.

Cancellation of course or school transfer

If you decide to downgrade, cancel or transfer

your course to another EF school within the

UK, please talk to our Customer Support team.

They will advise you of any transfer charges

and visa restrictions.

EF University Placement Service

EF International Language Centers offer a uni-

versity placement service that provides expert

advice on applying for university in the UK

and Ireland. If you are interested in continuing

your studies, you are encouraged to talk with

the University Pathways Manager at the EF

Cambridge school.

University Transfer Credit

Through our partnership with Southern New

Hampshire University (SNHU), EF students

may be eligible to receive university credit for

their coursework.

7. Accommodation and MealsThere are a number of residential buildings

within Clare College. Students will be allocated

a twin room or single room according to their

requirements. Almost all rooms have a desk,

wardrobe space and a wash basin in the room.

Showers and/or baths are available on every

floor or in each unit. There are also coin oper-

ated laundry facilities for washing clothes.

Residence deposit

On arrival, each student will be required to pay

a £100 refundable deposit. This deposit covers

such things as lost keys, damage or fines.

You will be notified of any deductions from this

deposit. If there are no deductions made, the

whole amount will be refunded at the end of

your programme.

Extra nights

If an extra night is required at the beginning or

the end of your course then please apply in

advance at the EF office.

The Welfare Officer

If you have any kind of a problem with your ac-

commodation please bring this to the attention

of the Welfare Officer.

Accommodations for friends or relatives

The Welfare Officer will be happy to give advice

on finding accommodation for friends or rela-

tives, as accommodation is not available at the

college for visiting friends or relatives.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner each day are included in

the course price. Breakfast comprises a choice

of cereals, with toast, preserves, fruit juice and

unlimited tea or coffee. Dinner is taken at Old

Court, where students can select from a varied

menu which always includes a vegetarian dish.

Lunch can be taken at one of the many snack

bars, restaurants, pizzerias and bistros located

near The Colony and in the city centre.

8. Money mattersCurrency

British currency is in pounds sterling (abbrevi-

ated to GBP, Great British Pound, or nick-

named quid by the British). The symbol for this

currency is £.

The pound is divided into 100 pence (abbrevi-

ated as p). If you purchase something that is

95 pence, for example, you will probably be

told that the amount is “95 pee” rather than 95

pence. You will see amounts written this way:

“95p” or “£0.95.”

Banknotes come in denominations of £5, £10,

£20, and £50. They will each be a different size

and a different color to allow you to tell them

apart more easily. Coins come in denomina-

tions of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence, as well

as 1 and 2 pounds.

Banks

For short stays it is not possible to open a

bank account. If required you can hire a safety

deposit box at a bank, please ask the EF office

for advice.

Spending money

We recommend that you bring about £100 for

your first days in England to cover costs such

as travel to school, lunch, and telephone calls.

6 Clare College, Cambridge, UK

You will also need to take money for learning

materials used in class.

We recommend that you bring £100 - £150 for

each week you plan to stay in England. This

should cover lunches, laundry, travel to and

from school, and EF Activities mid-week. For

weekend excursions, shopping and depending

on what you choose to do during your leisure

time, you may need to bring more. Please

also remember you will need to pay for any

language proficiency exams you plan to take.

Only carry as much money as you need for

one day – remember thieves exist everywhere

in the world! The safest way to carry money is

traveller’s cheques. Many places also accept

major credit cards.

Changing money

When changing money in the UK always go to

a recognised bank or travel agent. Commis-

sion rates will vary so check first for the best

rate. We regret that we are unable to change

money in the school.

Money transfers

If you need to have money transferred from

home while you are in England we suggest you

contact the EF office for advice. You may be

able to transfer money through the EF office

in your home country or from your home bank

to your account in England. Don’t forget that

there will be charges made to transfer money

and you do need to allow sufficient time.

Credit Cards

EF strongly recommends that students travel

with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards

enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms,

and do various activities, which may be more

difficult with cash or traveller’s cheques.

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

We regret that it is not possible for students

to receive incoming telephone calls in the EF

office; however telephone messages can be

taken in case of emergency.

All long distance calls must be collect calls,

charged to the person you are calling, or

charged to a prepaid telephone card, which can

be purchased at the EF school. We recommend

that students expecting to stay for a long period

of time come with or purchase a mobile phone.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. You can send and receive faxes from

this machine for a small fee, although you are

encouraged to limit the use. Please ask your

family and friends to clearly mark your name

when sending you a fax. When you receive

mail or faxes at the school, these will be kept at

the front desk for you until you pick them up.

There are also some places close to the school

that send faxes and charge for the time used.

Ask the front desk for directions to the nearest

fax machine you can use.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless

Internet. Students are highly encouraged to

bring their personal laptop computers for email

and Internet use on the wireless network.

10. Health care and InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend nearby hospitals

and doctors offices if you need medical atten-

tion. Please ask the EF staff for assistance if you

need medical attention. If you have any personal

problems there is always someone who you can

talk to confidentially.

Insurance

All students traveling to the UK are required

to have medical and accident insurance upon

starting their program of study. You will still

have to pay for some treatment if you see a

doctor but you can claim the money back from

the insurance company. Please note: You will

need to keep all receipts in order to receive

money back from the insurance company.

All students are required to bring proof of insur-

ance in English to show that they have proper

health insurance when a medical emergency

occurs. Students who do not bring proof of in-

surance will be required to purchase insurance

through EF at the school.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with

Erika Travel Insurance, an international insur-

ance expert. The policy protects you against ex-

penses incurred through accident or illness, and

provides coverage for loss or theft of baggage

and personal effects. It also provides coverage

against interruption of your EF program due to

illness as well as liability and legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When

you are sick or injured the last thing you want

to do is deal with such issues. Let us help you!

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to

your social and academic success. They not

only help you to relax after a day studying, they

also provide you with an opportunity to meet

and make friends from other classes, other

countries and other cultures. Your school’s ac-

tivities and trips give you the opportunity to apply

your life skills, practice English in real situations

and familiarize yourself with British culture.

Activity Programme

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regu-

lar schedule of local activities, day-trips, and

weekend excursions to area attractions. The

cost of these trips is not included in the tuition.

Weekly Activities

We have a weekly programme of activities at

either no cost or minimal cost. Typical evenings

might include a trip to the theatre in London,

a video night on campus or an evening in the

local pub. On Friday night there is always the

popular EF disco at the University cellar bar

underneath Old Court. The Activities Coor-

dinator will also organise sports games and

tournaments, depending on student interest

and participation.

Weekend excursions

EF arranges weekend excursions and day trips

to local attractions. Not all trips are available

each month. The number of trips and the cost

depend on the time of year and the number of

students wishing to participate. Excursions can

be paid in cash or with traveller’s cheques.

Our excursions are organised at a minimum cost,

are great fun and extremely good value. You are

always accompanied by an EF staff member.

7 Clare College, Cambridge, UK

Typical activities and excursions

Excursions could range from an afternoon trip to

Ely, to a day in the Roman city of Bath or a long

weekend in Paris or Amsterdam. Full day excur-

sions cost between £20 and £35 and weekend

excursions cost between £140 and £160.

Sports

Although The Colony does not have its own

sports facilities many sporting events will be

organised on Jesus Green where you will also

find Cambridge’s largest swimming pool, ten-

nis courts and many musical events organised

by the city. Of course, no visit to Cambridge

would be complete without an afternoon’s

punting on the river.

12. TransportationEverything within Cambridge city is just a short

walk away from the Clare College campus.

There is also a free shuttle bus service which

operates in one circular route around the city

centre, every 15 minutes.

Public transportation

Cambridge has an excellent network of buses

and trains, providing Cambridge with good

connections throughout the UK.

Buses

Located in Drummer Street, close to the city

centre, Cambridge bus station provides a wide

range of transport options in and around the

Cambridge area. A weekly bus pass will cost

approximately £11-18 per week and can be

bought on the bus. This bus pass can be used

as often as the student wishes on any city bus

route. Please note that these are current prices

and are subject to change at any time.

Taxis

There are two kinds of ‘taxi’ available in

Cambridge, one kind is a “hackney carriage”

and these can be picked up at many locations

throughout Cambridge, they have TAXI signs

on top of the car and the price is registered on

a meter in the car. The other kind of ‘taxi’ is a

“private hire car” which can only be obtained

by telephoning the hire car company directly.

Bicycles

No bicycles are permitted on the campus,

however all EF facilities are within walking dis-

tance and as the campus is located centrally

all other facilities are easily reached by foot.

Trains

Located not far from the city centre on Station

Road, Cambridge Train Station is within easy

walking distance of central Cambridge. There are

also regular buses that travel to the train station.

Cars

Some students choose to travel to Cambridge

by car. Parking is available at the College but

it is essential to obtain a parking permit, on

arrival at the College, from the Welfare Officer.

Permits are free of charge and should be

displayed at all times in your car.

Flights and travel arrangements

The Activities Office will be pleased to help

you with flight information, return travel to the

airports and, for a small fee, confirm or help

change flights.

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a

new experience. Remember that many of your

expectations may have been formed by the

unreal world of TV and movies. Arrive at your

course centre with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

❚ Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

❚ An academic program which combines lan-

guage, special interest and culture-oriented

classes.

❚ Full program of local activities and excursions

at special EF rates.

❚ Accommodation in a student residence.

❚ All designated meals.

❚ EF Course Certificate for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and

good academic standing.

What EF expects of you:

❚ To develop a greater understanding of the

world around you.

❚ To attend at least 80% of all classes and to

do your best in class at all times.

❚ To be respectful of your classmates, your

teachers and your community.

❚ To keep your room and shared areas clean.

❚ To speak English at all times.

❚ To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of

your host country, state, campus and school.

14. UK culture & living tipsVisas

You may need to obtain a visa before setting

out on your journey if you are not a European

Community national. Check with your EF office

and local British Consulate well before you

start your journey.

Working in the UK

All EU passport holders are entitled to work in

the UK without restrictions. If you have a Tier 4

General Student visa you are able to work up to

20 hours per week. This does not apply if you

come to the UK as a Student Visitor. The same

rules apply for students wishing to participate

in an internship during their course. If you want

the possibility of working or doing an internship

make sure you apply for the right visa.

Customs

Read the customs notices carefully. Do not

try to bring any prohibited substances into the

country. We cannot help you if you are stopped

by customs for illegal importation of anything

which is against the law in Great Britain.

Immigration

If you are not a European Community national,

you will need to produce the following docu-

ments when you arrive in Great Britain.

❚ your passport (valid for at least six months

after the end of your EF course).

❚ apropriate visa for your stay

❚ proof of your ability to meet the cost of

the course, to maintain yourself and any

dependents without needing to work during

your stay.

❚ your EF confirmation letter showing that you

have enrolled for a full time course of study.

Food

British food today has influences from abroad

introducing a wider range of ingredients

and more adventurous cooking. While still

maintaining its love of more traditional dishes,

Britain now has one of the widest selections of

restaurants in the world.

Dos and Don’ts

You will be required to abide by national laws

as well as the rules of the EF school. Viola-

tions will lead to a verbal warning and possible

disciplinary action by the School Director.

8 Clare College, Cambridge, UK

The following are illegal in Great Britain:

❚ Drugs (non-medicinal)

❚ Alcohol if you are under 18 years old

❚ Buying tobacco if you are under 18 (or buy-

ing for someone who is under 18)

❚ Smoking law - no smoking in public build-

ings. Please note that smoking is against the

law in all public, enclosed and semi-enclosed

spaces in the UK.

❚ Shop-lifting

❚ Driving without insurance or a valid driving

license

❚ Offensive weapons (including pocket knives)

Please don’t break the law. If you do, you will

almost certainly be sent straight home on the

next available flight and you may even risk be-

ing sent to prison.

Travel outside of England

If you are planning to travel outside England

during your course you may need a visa.

Please ensure that you check any visa require-

ments before you leave your country to avoid

disappointment.

If your passport has a single entry visa and you

are studying for six months or less then you will

not be able to travel outside the UK. This visa

cannot be changed in the UK. It is strongly rec-

ommended that you apply for a Schengen Visa

before leaving your home country if possible.

This will give you free travel throughout many

European countries without the need to apply

for individual tourist visas in the UK.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for taxi drivers and in

restaurants where no service charge is added

to the bill. 10% is normally acceptable. In res-

taurants where service is included and in bars,

pubs and cafes, there is no need to leave a tip.

Appliances and electricity

Remember that the mains voltage in Great

Britain is 220-240. You may need to bring an

adaptor if you wish to use any of your own

electrical appliances.

Recommended Reading

❚ Lonely Planet Britain, Lonely Planet Publica-

tions, Ltd. Great user-friendly travel guide for

where to go, how to get around, where to

stay and what to eat.

❚ Let’s Go UK, Harvard Student Agencies, Inc.

Great student travel guide for where to go, how

to get around, where to stay and what to eat.

Recommended websites

❚ www.cambridge.gov.uk

❚ www.city-explorer.co.uk

15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of

students who have come together to learn

English. It is also a multi-cultural group of

young adults who are eager to share their

own culture and learn the culture of their host

country and fellow classmates.

One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts,

traditions and practices of a specific community

or population. Our culture affects how we view

ourselves, how we relate to others and what we

value as important in life. We are often unaware

of how much our culture affects our lives.

You may have already had some exposure to the

new culture you are about to experience. You

may have seen television shows, read books,

or studied in school about the UK. While some

parts of this culture may already seem familiar

to you, experiencing a new culture first-hand

will prove exciting. You will be meeting students

from all over the world who, like you, are looking

forward to spending a year learning and living a

language, both inside and outside the classroom.

As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience

periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are

uncomfortable. Culture shock is what some-

times happens when we try to meet challenges

of our new culture by using the values, beliefs,

and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to

a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-

ences are merely different - not right or wrong.

It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from

your culture to share with other students and

your host to teach them about your country.

Tips on coping with change

Remember that change does not come with-

out some effort! We humans need a certain

amount of stress to motivate us to learn new

ways of being. Learning always involves some

form of change. You should try the following:

❚ While you might be tempted to surround

yourself with things that are familiar to you, try

not to isolate yourself by being only with others

from your home country. Keep reaching out to

your host, roommates and other students.

❚ Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.

EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

❚ Set goals, no matter how big or small, and

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak English at all times.

❚ Remind yourself that you came to this

country to experience a new culture, to meet

others and to explore your new surroundings.

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on

the days before leaving your home country

when you were excited about your new ad-

venture. Try to refocus this former excitement

towards your experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and

changes that take place over the year is to

keep a journal. By recording your experiences

and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able

to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will

have a record of your academic and personal

progress to look back on in days and years to

come. Be sure to note changes in:

❚ Language skills

❚ School performance and involvement

❚ Campus/host adjustment

❚ Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some

music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-

cal crafts, it would be good to show other

students, as well as to decorate your room

to make it seem like home. We have seen

costumes and drums from Korea, dancing and

music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas

from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your

friends, family and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

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16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays

The EF International Language Centers in the

UK recognize the following public holidays

when there will be no classes. If your arrival

falls on one of these dates, please check with

the school staff upon your arrival for an exact

orientation schedule.

2012

1 January - New Year’s Day

6 April - Good Friday

9 April - Easter Monday

7 May - Early May Bank Holiday

4 June - Spring Bank Holiday

5 June - Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

27 August - Summer Bank Holiday

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

2013

1 January - New Year’s Day

29 March - Good Friday

1 April - Easter Monday

6 May - Early May Bank Holiday

27 May - Spring Bank Holiday

26 August - Summer Bank Holiday

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-

sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of

these and pack them in your suitcase

just in case. You don’t need to carry your

passport with you while you are in the UK

but you must keep it and your other docu-

ments in a safe place while you are in

the country.

■ All original documents submitted for your

visa application, if you are travelling on an

Adult student visa (Tier 4).

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

with proof of insurance in English. If you

have secured Erika Travel Insurance from

EF, you do not need to have anything

translated.

■ Basic medical supplies, any medication

you take regularly and a spare pair of con-

tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■ An International Driving License if you are

planning on hiring or buying a car.

■ Local currency for first week and for any

learning materials that are not included in

the cost of the course.

■ Money in the form of an ATM card

(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards

and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring

large amounts of cash in any currency!).

■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-

ances you plan to bring with you.

■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■ Personal sports equipment.

■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):

_________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number:

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

+44 1223 240020_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+44 7774 200600_________________________________________

Additional notes or numbers:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)

_________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number

_________________________________________