predeparture ilsu auckland 2012
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Auckland Harbour
Stanley Point
Harbour Bridge
Victoria Park
Bayswater Marina
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Sky Tower
High StreetAlbert Park
Town Hall
Karangahape Road
University of Auckland
Auckland DomainAuckland Zoo
Cross Bay Park
Western Springs Stadium
www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above
EF International Language Centers
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 Internation-al Language Cent-
ers 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 Bourne-mouth are members of:
All EF Courses are recog-nized by Hult International
Business School.
Federation of International Youth
Travel Organizations.
AucklandAuckland is New Zealand’s sparkling North Island
hub, a friendly waterfront city with a gorgeous har-
bour and unrivaled beaches. EF Auckland provides
students with a contemporary, comfortable learning
environment.
Contact details:10 Turner StreetAucklandNew ZealandTel: +64 9 302 2079
EF Auckland
Watch a video
Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFAuckland
Section ....... Topic
1 ............ Introduction to EF
2 ............ Welcome to New Zealand
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 ............ New Zealand culture & living tips
15 .......... Adjusting to a new culture
16 .......... EF school calendar & holidays
17 .......... Checklist
Contents - Auckland
Dear Student,
Kia Ora and welcome, thank you for choosing to study
at EF in Auckland, New Zealand.
The EF Auckland school is located in the heart of the
most dynamic city in what is widely considered to be
one the most beautiful, unspoilt countries in the world.
Whether you are here for serious academic study or to
mix learning with travel, New Zealand will not disappoint.
The school has first class facilities and close links to
world ranked academic institutions, where options for
academic study range from short certificates through to
internationally recognized doctorates.
If travel is your motive, good choice. Visit Lord of the
Rings – ‘Hobbiton’, swim with the dolphins, ski and
scuba dive all on the same day, enjoy beaches to your-
self or just relax in natural hotsprings.
Here at EF Auckland we are passionate about New
Zealand, join us and I am confident you will leave feeling
the same way!
We look forward to meeting you.
Kind regards
Sarah Jung
School Director
EF International Language Center, Auckland
3 Auckland, New Zealand
2. Welcome to Auckland, New ZealandNew Zealand’s multi-cultural society is a result
of migration from all parts of the world, begin-
ning with Maori from the Pacific and, later,
British people in the 18th century. And more
recently increasing numbers of immigrants
from the Asia- Pacific Region. The relationship
between the descendants of original (Maori)
inhabitants and the descendants of early British
settlers forms the primary basis for the eco-
nomic, political and social structure of
New Zealand.
Two founding languages and cultures
The Maori, known as the ‘tangata whenua’
or ‘people of the land’, are the biggest non-
European group. A resurgence of Maori culture
and language over the last few decades has
resulted in a new sense of national identity
based on the idea of bi-culturalism - joint re-
sponsibility for achieving the ideals of the Treaty
of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840.
Kiwi culture has also absorbed some of the
rich elements contributed by people from the
Pacific Islands and Asia who make their home
here, so that weekend markets with Asian and
Polynesian food are common.
English and Maori are the official languages,
but New Zealanders come from many ethnic
backgrounds, from European to African and
South American. Multi-cultural influences are
very much part of indigenous “Kiwi” fashion, art
and music. You may be hosted in a family that
appears to be non-Kiwi but will find that they
speak good English and are very much typical
of New Zealand households.
Getting along together
The various communities live in relative social
harmony, with equal rights for all. There is
legislation prohibiting discrimination based on
gender, race or disability. The Human Rights
Commission and the Office of the Race Rela-
tions Conciliator investigate complaints under
the Human Rights Act. If anybody’s behaviour
or words make you feel uncomfortable, talk
immediately to the staff at your institution. They
are committed to providing a safe environ-
ment for you and are trained to deal with any
difficulties.
History
Archaeological evidence indicates that New
Zealand was populated by fishing and hunting
people of East Polynesian ancestry perhaps
800 years before Europeans arrived. Known to
some scholars as the Moa hunters, they may
have merged with later waves of Polynesians
who, according to Maori tradition, arrived
between 952 and 1150. They were not fisher-
man who had blown off course in a storm.
They came in double-hulled voyaging canoes
(pahi) stocked with the plants and animals on
carefully planned voyages. Some of the Maoris
called their new homeland “Aotearoa,” usually
translated as “land of the long white cloud.”
The Auckland Museum houses a wonderful
display of Maori and Polynesian artifacts provid-
ing a fascinating insight into Migration within
the Pacific and early life in New Zealand prior to
European settlement.
The first recorded European to sight New
Zealand was the Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman
who sighted the South Island’s West Coast, on
December 13, 1642. He mapped a part of the
coastline and gave the country, which he be-
lieved was a continent, the name Staten land.
When the mistake was discovered the country
was given a new name, Nieuw Zeeland. In the
late 18th and early 19th centuries, lumber-
ing, seal hunting, and whaling attracted a few
European settlers to New Zealand.
On October 7, 1769 English Captain James
Cook traveled to the country. In 1840, the
United Kingdom established British sovereignty
through the Treaty of Waitangi signed that year
with Maori chiefs. In the same year, selected
groups from the UK began the colonization
processes. Expanding European settlement
led to conflict with Maoris, most notably in the
Maori land wars of the 1860s. British and co-
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 Auckland, New Zealand
lonial forces eventually overcame determined
Maori resistance.
Constitutional government began to develop in
the 1850s. In 1867, Maoris won the right to a
certain number of reserved seats in parlia-
ment. During this period, the livestock industry
began to expand, and the foundations of New
Zealand’s modern economy took shape.
By the end of the 19th century, improved
transportation facilities made possible a great
overseas trade in wool, meat, and dairy prod-
ucts. By the 1890s, parliamentary government
along democratic lines was well established,
and New Zealand’s social institutions assumed
their present form. Women received the right
to vote in national elections in 1893. The turn
of the century brought sweeping social reforms
that built the foundation for New Zealand’s ver-
sion of the welfare state.
Maoris gradually recovered from population
decline and, through interaction and intermar-
riage with settlers and missionaries, adopted
much of European culture. In recent decades,
Maoris have become increasingly urbanized
and have become more politically active and
culturally assertive.
Today New Zealand is a country of interest-
ing contrast – socially and geographically. You
will find a modern and innovative business
community alongside poorly developed public
transport systems. An economy that continues
to rely heavily on agriculture (farming, crops
and orchards) is also developing strongly on
tourism and “export education” enterprises.
It is a café culture with sophisticated dining
and nightclubs, alongside the unspoilt natural
beauty of undeveloped beaches, mountains,
rivers, and lakes. And in Auckland especially,
you will discover markets, shops, restaurants,
art, crafts and entertainment from a multitude
of different cultures often side-by-side with our
own unique Kiwi offerings.
General Information about Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city- more
than 30% of New Zealand calls Auckland
home. The City of Sails is built around Wait-
emata Harbour to the North and on Mankau
Harbour to the south. It is a modern city and
is New Zealand’s business capital. About one
and a half million people live in Greater Auck-
land’s three cities and four districts: Auckland
City, Manukau City (south), North Shore City,
Waitakere City (West), Rodney District (North
Shore) Papakura and Franklin Districts are
south of Manukau City. Auckland is an isth-
mus, a narrow strip of land which separates
two bodies of water: the South Pacific on the
East and the Tasman Sea on the West.
3. Weather WatchIn New Zealand, the seasons are opposite
to those in the Northern Hemisphere and the
weather in Auckland is generally mild.
Summer is from December to February and it
is warm to hot (and sometimes humid). Tem-
peratures rarely go above 25 degrees Celsius
in summer. Autumn is from March to May and
it is generally warm during the day and cool at
night. Winter is from June to August and the
days and nights are cool. It does not freeze in
Auckland: the winter daily minimum tempera-
ture seldom drops below 8 degrees Celsius.
Spring is from September to November when
the days are warm and the nights are cool. It
is wise to bring a sweater to Auckland, and a
leather jacket or windbreaker and raincoat, as
the nights can be chilly, even in summer, and
to carry an umbrella as the weather is quite
changeable, particularly in the summer months
and the rainfall in the region is quite high.
4. Travel & Transfer serviceTransfer service
Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can
be confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer ser-
vice 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).
If you have paid for an Airport Transfer you
will need to fully exit the arrivals area – do not
turn left to the shuttle bus and taxi area, but
instead proceed right through to the main
airport waiting area. Look for the driver – he
or she will have an EF sign. If you cannot find
the driver then go to the McDonalds on the left
as you enter the main Arrivals area and wait
there – the driver should come to find you. If
you have waited for more than 30 minutes and
the driver has not located you, please call the
airport transfer company (+64 27 4453778) or
the school emergency phone number – there
are airport officials who will assist you if you
give them the number to ring for you. You will
receive these numbers and other important
contact information from your local EF office
prior to departure.
Students arriving independently
Even if you do not want to take the airport
transfer service, you must still inform EF of
when you plan to arrive, especially if you will be
staying in a homestay, as they will be waiting
for you at home. Please go straight from the
airport to your homestay and do any sightsee-
ing after that. The family will be expecting you
shortly after your plane arrives.
If you have not paid for an Airport Transfer here
are some options for getting to your accom-
modation. There are three main methods of
transportation from the airport into the city.
Option 1: Air Bus
The Air Bus (a big, blue city bus) leaves from
the International Airport approximately every
20 minutes, and stops at various points in
central Auckland. Tickets are approximately
NZ$16.00. If you are considering a taxi from
one of the downtown stations to your home-
stay, please consider that it may actually be
the same distance in many cases to take a taxi
directly from the airport to your homestay due
to the location of the airport and the above sta-
tions in relation to our host communities.
Option 2: Taxi
Taxi rides from Auckland’s International Airport
to our host communities cost from NZ$50 to
NZ$75. There are plenty of cabs available, so
there is not usually a wait. It is a good idea to
keep a record of the driver’s number, which
should be on an ID card on the dashboard of
the taxi, and to ask for a receipt, in case you
have any questions about the fare.
Option 3: Supershuttle
Shuttle busses are shared transport in mini-
busses that will take students right to your ac-
commodation, but may make several stops on
5 Auckland, New Zealand
the way. Depending on the location of your
accommodation the fares range from NZ$20
(Inner City areas) up to NZ$50 (Albany area).
This is a great option if there are 2 or more
going to the same location, as each extra per-
son to the same address is just NZ$5 more.
These leave every 15 minutes and are located
immediately outside the airport terminal via the
group arrivals area.
5. EF School InformationThe EF school is located in the heart of Auck-
land’s Central Business District (CBD), which
is where many other language schools are
located. Turner Street is very close to of the
University of Auckland campus and adjacent
to the Auckland University of Technology and
the University of Otago Auckland campus,
as well as being surrounded by a number of
student-oriented restaurants and services. The
Edge, Auckland’s entertainment area, is two
blocks away. Ferries and other transport for
sightseeing and commuting are at the end of
Queen Street- a ten-minute walk.
The school is housed in a stand-alone, two-story
building and has been recently renovated to ac-
commodate several classrooms, language labs
(computer rooms), a student lounge and a café.
There are two i-Labs (language lab computer
rooms) at the school, which are primarily for your
i-Lab lessons and self-study tutorials. When not
in use for a class these are available for students
to use the Internet. The school is also equipped
with Wi-Fi wireless internet. We encourage you
to bring your personal laptop computer for email
and internet use on the wireless network.
EF has a student lounge for studying and relax-
ing with friends. Snack food and drinks are avail-
able from vending machines in the café area,
and there are many places nearby where cheap
and delicious food can be purchased for lunch.
Most students spend their free time enjoying
Auckland’s harbour and bustling Queen Street
with their new friends at the cafés in the CBD
or in Parnell, Ponsonby or other fashionable
districts close to the city centre.
School Accreditation
The school has been accredited by the NZQA
and is a signatory to the NZ Ministry of Educa-
tion’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of
International Students.
The school is a member of English New Zea-
land, the professional association for English
language schools in New Zealand.
Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of
International Students
EF Auckland has agreed to observe and be
bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral
Care of International Students published by the
Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are
available on request from this institution or from
the New Zealand Ministry of Education website
at: http://www.minedu.govt.nz. A summary of
the Code of Practice appears at the end of this
document.
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.
Orientation
There will be an orientation programme to ac-
quaint you with the school, the accommoda-
tion and life in Auckland. You will receive a map
of Auckland and additional information to help
you get to know the city. Information about
New Zealand’s driving laws will also be given
as well as information on the Code of Practice
for the Pastoral Care of International Students
and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Students will also be required to pay for their
books on their first day (please see section 17
for prices and further information).
The activities coordinator will speak to you to
find out what you like doing in your free time
and will take all new students on a short tour of
the city to help familiarise you with local banks,
post offices, shops, restaurants, and snack
bars.
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.
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
6 Auckland, New Zealand
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. Some of the Special Interest classes
that have been held among many others are:
Drama, Current Events, New Zealand Culture,
English Through Music, Business English.
Class size
The average class size is 15 students with a
maximum of 17 students.
Class Schedule
Classes will be scheduled between 8:40 am
and 5:50 pm Monday through Friday and may
be in the morning or the afternoon.
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:
New Zealand immigration regulations require
you to attend 80% of all your classes!
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.
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.
iLab Learning
All English language school courses include six
iLab sessions per week. iLab sessions comple-
ment and reinforce classroom learning in an
interactive online learning environment. Please
note: iLab is not included in the EF Basic Course.
Exams
You may enrol for several different public
examinations during your course. For example,
Cambridge, IELTS and TOEIC exams are all
popular with students. Some can be taken at
the school itself, others must be taken at an
external examination centre and booked sev-
eral months in advance. Advice as to the most
appropriate examination to sit for will be given
to you by the Director of Studies. You will be
responsible for the cost of all exam registration
fees which cannot be paid at the sales office.
Cancellation of course or school transfer
If you decide to downgrade, cancel or transfer
your course to another EF school, 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 offers a
University Placement Service (UPS) that pro-
vides advice and assistance for students who
want to study at a university in New Zealand or
enrol in a university preparation programme. If
you are interested in continuing your studies,
you are encouraged to talk with the University
Pathways Manager at your 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 & MealsHomestay and student residence accommo-
dation are available at the EF Auckland school.
All homestay and student residence issues
during your stay should be directed to the Ac-
commodation staff.
Homestay accommodation
Students staying in a homestay will have the
opportunity to experience New Zealand life
and also have the chance to practice their new
language skills with fluent English speakers.
Students who choose homestay accommoda-
tion should do so because they want to live
in a home environment and interact with the
members of the household. Our homestay
hosts choose to host international students be-
cause they want to learn about other cultures
and people. Students who live in a homestay
must respect the family and their home.
Likewise, the hosts will respect the student. As
you get an in-depth look at New Zealand life,
you will realize that New Zealand culture is not
the same as your culture, and therefore, home
life may be quite different. The relationship
between husband and wife, the roles of family
members, the relationship with or discipline of
children and the relationship with pets are just
some examples. If you are open-minded about
these differences, life in the family will be a
great learning experience.
Internet
Not all of our host families have internet ac-
cess available. If the family does allow internet
access to the student they will usually ask for
NZD10 per week to cover this cost.
Auckland is a very multi-cultural city and made
up of many different ethnic groups: European,
Maori, Pacific Islander, Asian, Indian and
many, many more. EF expects its students
to respect the customs and culture of all New
Zealanders as much as it expects EF home-
stay hosts and staff to respect the customs
and culture of its students.
Homestay families are not necessarily made
up of father, mother and children. They can
be made up of two parents with children living
at home or away, a man or woman with one
or more children, or a single person. It is also
very common for a woman to go out to work
as well as a man.
Before you leave your home country, please let
your homestay hosts know the date and esti-
mated time of your arrival to ensure they are at
home to welcome you when you arrive.
Each homestay has been carefully chosen and
is matched as best as possible to a student
according to their age, interests and habits.
The Homestay Coordinator likes to know how
you are getting on with your family and will help
you with any problems should they arise.
7 Auckland, New Zealand
Transportation
You are responsible for all transportation costs
to and from the host’s home. Many homestays
are located in residential areas to the south of
the Central Business District (CBD). All home-
stay are within 30-60 minutes travel time from
the school by public transport (usually two bus
stages and/or a ferry ride). You may find that
you have a short walk to the bus stop from
your homestay and/or from the school.
Laundry and Facilities
Many New Zealand families have their own
washing machine and most hang their washing
on a line in the garden to dry rather than using
a clothes dryer. Ask your hosts whether they
would prefer to do your washing for you or
whether you should do your own. If you are
allowed to use their washing machine, please
ask for instructions on how to use it. You may
be charged a fee for laundry by your hosts.
Please keep your bedroom clean and tidy,
especially if you are sharing your room with
another student.
Inviting friends
Always ask your hosts before inviting friends
home. Please do not expect your hosts to
serve meals to your friends. Also, if you are go-
ing to stay out very late at night, please inform
them so that they don’t worry about you.
Telephone use
To call your friends and family you will need to
use a prepaid telephone card. Your family can
telephone you, but please ask them not to call
too late. Remember that you are sharing the
telephone with the rest of the people in the
home. Do not spend more than 15 minutes on
the phone at any time.
Smoking
Usually you will be matched with a family with
the same smoking habits as your own. Please
ask before you smoke in the family’s house they
may prefer you to smoke outside. Many New
Zealanders do not smoke and it is banned in all
public places, such as shops, offices, buses,
trains and airport terminal buildings.
Requests for change
Homestay accommodation is booked for your
entire course. You may only change homestays
for very serious reasons and you must give four
weeks notice to the Accommodation Coordi-
nator. Requests for change will be considered
on an individual basis. No refunds will be
granted for students who choose to leave their
homestay for personal reasons.
Meals in a homestay
Your homestay hosts provide breakfast and
dinner Monday to Friday, and all meals on
the weekends. You are responsible for your
own lunch during the week. Meals will only be
provided when you are home to participate.
Please be sure to call your hosts if you are
going to be late or if you are not going to be
home for a meal. There will be no refund for
meals not taken at home with your family. If
you cannot eat certain foods, please inform
your family at the earliest possible time.
Student Residence
EF Auckland’s main student residence is Empire
Apartments. A modern, recently refurbished
student residence, it is within easy walking dis-
tance of the school. Please note: students must
be 18 years or older to stay at Empire.
Address: 21 Whittaker Place
Telephone: +6499509000
Empire offers the following:
z Units have 3 individual bedrooms and shared
kitchen and bathroom facilities
z Internet connection available
z Housekeeping every fortnight
z Direct dial telephone in every unit
z Friendly, multilingual staff to serve the tenants
z 2 restaurants onsite
z TV lounge and movie-screening room
z Laundry facilities
z Gym
Empire requires a NZ$400 deposit from each
student. This will be refunded at the end of
the student’s stay if there is no damage to
the rooms. NZ$60 will be retained from each
deposit as a cleaning fee.
Changing accommodation
There are three ways in which you may decide
to change your accommodation:
Change from your current homestay to
another homestay
You should speak with the Accommodation
Coordinator if you have problems in your cur-
rent homestay. In the event that the situation is
extreme and the Coordinator agrees that you
should move immediately (or as soon as pos-
sible) she will make necessary arrangements
for you to be moved as soon as practicable.
You may need to pay for the costs of transfer
(i.e. a shuttle bus or taxi fare to move your be-
longings to the new location). In all other situ-
ations you must give four weeks notice to the
homestay via the Accommodation Coordinator.
Change from a homestay to residence
Unless there is an extreme situation you are
required to give four weeks notice of change.
The Accommodation coordinator will make the
booking at the residence. There is a surcharge
(i.e. additional weekly fee for the residence)
and you will receive an invoice for this addi-
tional charge from your Sales Office.
Cancellation of accommodation
This is where you choose to find your own ac-
commodation. In all cases you must give four
weeks notice to your homestay and Accom-
modation Coordinator. You will receive a refund
from your Sales Office, if appropriate. You
should check your eligibility for a refund and
the amount before you cancel your accom-
modation. Please do not rely on the refund to
pay for your alternative accommodation while
in Auckland.
8. Money MattersCurrency
The currency in New Zealand is the New
Zealand Dollar. The symbol for this currency is
$ or NZ$. The dollar is divided into 100 cents.
Banknotes are different colors and come in
denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Coins come in denominations of 10c, 20c,
50c, $1 and $2.
Banking
There are a number of banks near the school
where students can change money and cash
traveller’s cheques. Banks are normally open
from 9.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday only,
so it’s a good idea to cash some travelers’
cheques at the airport when you first arrive.
There are many ATM (automatic teller ma-
chines) throughout the city and New Zealand
which will welcome most recognized
bank cards.
8 Auckland, New Zealand
To open a bank account, you will need two
forms of identification – a letter from the
school, a minimum deposit and be intending to
stay in New Zealand for more than 12 weeks.
Spending money
Just like in any other big city, you should not
carry a large amount of cash around with you
in Auckland. If it is lost or stolen, it is very
unlikely that it will be covered by an insurance
policy. It is much safer to carry money in the
form of travellers’ cheques or International
debit card.
Students will need about NZ$250-300 per
week to cover the cost of activities, travel,
weekday lunches, sports and entertainment.
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.
If you want to use bank or credit card to
withdraw New Zealand money from an (ATM),
you should only use machines in New Zealand
that are attached to a bank. If the machine is
attached to a bank and the machine takes the
card, you can easily get the card back again
by going inside the bank and asking for it. You
cannot get the card back if the machine that
has taken it is not attached to a bank.
9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone
All long distance calls must be collect calls,
charged to the person you are calling, or
charged to a prepaid telephone card. Phone
cards are a very cheap and convenient way
of phoning overseas from public and private
phones in New Zealand, you can purchase
these at he school reception. Please use these
phone cards when phoning from your home-
stay or ask parents/friends to call you. Always
ask permission before using your homestay
host’s telephone.
Fax
All EF schools use fax machines to conduct
business. You can send faxes from the school
but you may be required to pay NZ$5 per
page. The school can receive faxes for stu-
dents and does not charge for this service.
Internet
The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless
Internet and there are countless internet
cafes throughout the city. Students are highly
encouraged to bring their personal laptop
computers for email and Internet use on the
wireless network.
10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend nearby hospitals
and doctors offices if you need medical attention.
Please ask the EF staff or your homestay hosts
for assistance if you need medical attention. If
you have any personal problems there is always
someone who you can talk to confidentially.
Eligibility for Health Services
Most international students are not entitled to
publicly funded health services while in New Zea-
land. If you receive medical treatment during your
visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that
treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-
funded health services are available through the
Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their
website at http://www.moh.govt.nz
Accident Insurance
The Accident Compensation Corporation pro-
vides accident insurance for all New Zealand
citizens, residents and temporary visitors to
New Zealand, but you may still be liable for
all other medical and related costs. Further
information can be viewed on the ACC website
at www.acc.co.nz
Insurance
All students traveling to New Zealand are re-
quired 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 activities and
trips give you the opportunity to apply your life
skills, practice English in real situations and famil-
iarize yourself with New Zealand culture.
Activity Program
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 program of activities on
campus at either no cost or minimal cost.
The Activities Coordinator will also organize
sports games and tournaments, depending on
student interest and participation.These will be
during the evenings and in weekends. Some
will be free of charge others at cost price
for students.
Examples of Activities & Excursions
z A tour of the Waitemata Harbour Islands
z Bungee Jumping from the Harbour Bridge
z Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World Aquarium
z Shopping in New Market
z Touring the yachts at Viaduct Harbour
New Zealand is a place of great natural beauty.
There are abundant beaches right within Auck-
land’s city limits. There are walking and cycling
9 Auckland, New Zealand
tracks and plenty of outdoor activities to suit
all levels and interests. The activities coordina-
tor at EF Auckland and all of the teachers and
staff will help you to discover more about this
wonderful, beautiful and friendly city.
12. TransportationPublic transportation
The Link and other public busses are only a
few minutes walk from the EF school. Informa-
tion about Auckland’s public transport can be
found on www.rideline.co.nz
Buses and Trains
The public bus system in Auckland is reason-
ably efficient. A monthly bus pass from will cost
approximately NZ$110-170.
There is also a free city bus which runs in a
loop through the City Centre (CBD).
The Link is a public bus which makes a con-
tinuous loop of the greater Auckland area every
10 to 15 minutes. It costs NZ$1.60. There is a
Link stop at the corner of Turner Street.
Although the commuter train is not very popu-
lar with Aucklanders, major improvements and
widening of service have taken place. The train
serves many of EF’s homestay communities.
Ferry
There is a very efficient and reasonably priced
ferry system. The ferry building is a ten-minute
walk to the bottom of Queen Street from the
school. Tickets usually include bus trans-
port. A combined bus and ferry pass will cost
around NZ$300 per month.
Transportation from accommodation to school
You should ask your homestay hosts to advise
you on the best travel pass to buy for travel to
and from the school.
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:
z Supportive staff, available for guidance
z An academic program which combines lan-
guage, special interest, and culture-oriented
classes.
z Full program of local activities and excursions
at special EF rates.
z Accommodation in either homestay or stu-
dent residence.
z EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for
Academic Year Abroad students with 80%
attendance per term and good academic
standing and academic records
z EF Course Certificate for International Lan-
guage Students with 80% attendance and
good academic standing.
z Preparation classes and/or materials for appro-
priate standardized language exams and avail-
ability of University Placement Service (UPS).
What EF expects of you:
z To develop a greater understanding of the
world around you.
z To attend at least 80% of all classes and to
do your best in class at all times.
z To be respectful of your homestay hosts, your
classmates, your teachers and your community.
z To keep your room and shared areas clean.
z To speak English at all times.
z To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of
your host country, state, campus and school.
What you can expect from your homestay hosts:
z A comfortable, clean place to live.
z Prepared meals or accessibility to food to
prepare yourself according to the meal plan.
z Access to the school in approximately one
hour by public transportation. All transporta-
tion costs are your responsibility.
14. New Zealand culture and living tipsImmigration
Full details of visa and permit requirements, ad-
vice on rights to employment in New Zealand
while studying and reporting requirements are
available through the New Zealand Immigration
Service, and can be viewed on their website
at: www.immigration.govt.nz/forms
Passport and Visa requirements
Everyone entering New Zealand needs to hold
a current passport and, where necessary, an
appropriate visa. Students coming to study on
an English course of 12 weeks or fewer can
usually enter New Zealand on a Visitor’s Permit
(please see the list of countries attached which
do NOT require a visa for entry). Students
coming for courses longer than 12 weeks will
require a permit and will need to enter on a
Student Visa. It is best to contact the nearest
New Zealand Embassy or Consulate fordetails.
The requirements for students coming for
courses longer than twelve weeks are:
z Students must qualify as a full-time student
(i.e. no less than 20 hours per week) for the
duration of the course.
z Complete NZ Immigration Student permit/
visa application including financial undertak-
ing.
z Proof of pre-paid English language course
which will include an offer-letter from EF
Auckland and a guarantee of appropriate ac-
commodation (this information wll be included
in the offer-letter that the school issues.
Please see the following website for up-to-date
information and forms:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/forms/pdf/
nzis1012.pdf
If you extend your course once you are in
Auckland and you will then be here for more
than 12 weeks you will need to apply for a
Study Visa. To do this you will need:
z Letter from the School to show that you have
paid for the course and accommodation in
full for the whole time you will be studying;
z a bank statement in English and with an
official bank stamp or a financial undertaking
form signed by someone who is willing to
guarantee your support while you are here.
This must also have a bank statement in
English and with and official bank stamp.
z and of course your passport!
Going out in New Zealand
In order to be allowed into nightclubs and pubs
students have to be 18 years of age and carry
a valid ID. Official valid IDs include: a passport,
NZ driver’s license or an 18+ card.
Post
Auckland’s main Post Office is located on
Victoria Street about ten minutes’ walk from
the EF school. Students can use red/white/
black post boxes in the street to post letters.
The blue post boxes are only for express post
within New Zealand itself.
Recommended website
z www.aucklandnz.com/index.html
10 Auckland, New Zealand
14. 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, tradition
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 experi-
ence. You may have seen television shows,
read books, or studied in school about New
Zealand. While some parts of this culture may
already seem familiar to you, experiencing a
new culture firsthand 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 experi-
ence periods of fatigue and discomfort when
you are uncomfortable. Culture shock is what
sometimes happens when we try to meet chal-
lenges 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 differences are merely different, not right
or wrong.
It is a good idea to bring traditional objects
from your culture to share with 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:
z 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 reach-
ing out to your host, dorm-mates, and other
students.
z Put off making major decisions - such as an
accommodation change until you feel more
“at home” with the culture in general.
z 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 they can help you.
z 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 the goal that you
will speak only English with fellow students.)
z Remind yourself that you came to this coun-
try to experience a new culture, to meet
others and to explore your new surround-
ings. Relax, take a deep breath, and reflect
back on the days before leaving your home
country when you were excited about your
new adventure. Try to refocus this former
excitement towards your experience.
Keep 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 experi-
ences and feelings on a regular basis (daily or
weekly), 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:
z Language skills
z School performance and involvement
z Campus/host adjustment
z Individual learning and growth
Keeping a journal will help to remind you that
culture shock is truly a temporary phase of
adjustment.
Bring interesting Items from home!
Each spring students present an International
Fair to the staff, students and community. We
have seen costumes and drums from Korea,
dancing and music from Austria, a piñata
and tortillas from Mexico. If you have room in
your suitcases for some music, a costume,
pictures, some typical crafts it will be good to
show other students and will decorate your
room to make it seem like home.
15. Working in New ZealandStudents can apply for a Variation of Condi-
tions to their Student Visa allowing them to
work 20 hours per week if they are in a full-
time study course lasting at least six months.
Immigration New Zealand has to be satisfied
that the main purpose of your course is to
develop English language skills and you have
an International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) overall band score of 5.0 or
above (General or Academic Module)
C
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Important telephone numbers
16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays
The EF International Language Center in Auck-
land recognizes 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
2 January - Day after New Year’s Day
30 January - Auckland Anniversary Day
6 February - Waitangi Day
6 April - Good Friday
9 April - Easter Monday
25 April - Anzac Day
4 June - Queen’s Birthday
22 October - Labour Day
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day
2013
1 January - New Year’s Day
2 January - Day after New Year’s Day
28 January - Auckland Anniversary Day
6 February - Waitangi Day
29 March - Good Friday
1 April - Easter Monday
25 April - Anzac Day
3 June - Queen’s Birthday
28 October - Labour Day
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 New
Zealand but you must keep it and your
other documents in a safe place while you
are in the country.
■ 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:
+64 9 302 2079_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+64 2 156 7599_________________________________________
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
_________________________________________
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