English Channel

East Brighton Park

Queen’s Park

Park Crescent

Preston park

Dyke Road Park

Brighton Marina

Volk’s Electric RailwayBrighton Pier

KemptownBrighton College

Sea Life Centre

Royal Pavillion

Brighton Theatre

Brighton Train Station St. Peter’s Church

Preston Manor

The Lanes

www.ef.com

LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

EF Brighton

England’s trendiest coastal city offers language

students a cosmopolitan array of activities to

choose from in a seaside setting. The popular EF

school in Brighton is located on an historic square

with views of the sea.

Contact details:1/2 Sussex Square, Brighton, BN2 1FJ, UKTel: +(44) 1273 571780

Brighton

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.

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFBrighton

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 - Brighton

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing the EF International Language Center

in Brighton for your studies.

Our school has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, which,

combined with the lively and cosmopolitan city will serve to

make your stay memorable. All the staff are committed to en-

suring your time here is enjoyable, secure and educationally

rewarding. Brighton is known as “London by the Sea” and it

certainly rivals the capital in terms of nightclubs, theatres, arts

festivals and the range of entertainment it can offer. We also

have a stunning seafront and beach and the charming sur-

rounding countryside of Sussex for you to explore.

Our Brighton school is both large and well equipped, offering

classes for all abilities, as well as facilities for private study,

a language laboratory, and multi-media computer facilities.

If you require help in enrolling for exams, would like to gain

work experience or are interested in furthering your studies at

an English university, we have experienced staff available to

help you. Our friendly team can help you with every aspect of

your stay, whether it involves your lessons, accommodation

or your social life.

We are very much looking forward to meeting you soon, and

helping you make the most of your time in England.

Best wishes,

Angela Pereira, School Director

EF International Language Center, Brighton

3 Brighton, UK

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

teresting and varied countries to study in! Britain’s

character has been shaped by its position as an

island. It has not been successfully 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 industrialised nation and

thousands of people moved from the countryside

to the towns and cities near mines, mills and fac-

tories. The effect of this can still been seen today

with many of Britain’s streets containing small

residential terraced 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 com-

mon 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 Caribbean.

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 climate in Brighton is usually a little warmer

than the rest of the UK. Brighton tends to have

early springs, warm weather in the summer and

mild winters.

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 6° to 17°C (43° to 63°F)

Summer: 13° to 24°C (55° to 75°F)

Autumn: 6° to 20°C (43° to 68°F)

Winter: 3° to 11°C (37° to 52°F)

4. Travel & transfer serviceTransfer 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

enter your flight details online in My EF or inform

the EF Office in your home country of the exact

details of your flight (airline, flight number, date

and time).

When you arrive, pass through customs and

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 Brighton, UK

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 arrival

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 Travel

If you wish to make your own way to your ac-

commodation, the best route to take depends on

which airport you arrive at.

z From London Heathrow Airport, you can catch

the Heathrow express, which takes you into

Paddington Station,

z From London Gatwick (highly recommended

due to its proximity to Brighton), you can catch

the Gatwick express, which takes you into

London Victoria Station.

z From Stansted airport you can catch the

Stansted express service, which takes you into

London Liverpool Street Station.

From any of these mainline stations, you can

connect to other transport services to complete

the remainder of your journey.

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:

z iLab computer rooms

z Wireless Internet

z Student Cafeteria

z Payphones z Fax

z Notice boards to tell you what is happening

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 measure 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 stronger,

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

During your orientation you will receive your class

schedule and other important information about

the school and the city. Fun activities are planned

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 student may change

their SPIN classes accordingly. 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 of 8.30

am and 7.30 pm. Your timetable will confirm your

schedule.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes. Consis-

tent failure to attend class, for whatever 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 Agen-

cy 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 expect

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 (at the time of booking your

course or programme) 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 inter-

5 Brighton, UK

active 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, TOEIC and TOEFL exams are all

popular with students. These must be taken

at an external examination centre and booked

several months in advance. You will need to pay

fees to register for public exams in the UK. This

is typically £50 to £100 for each exam. Advice as

to the most appropriate examination to sit will be

given to you by your Director of Studies.

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

university 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 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 accommoda-

tion are available at the EF school. All homestay

matters or residence hall issues during your stay

should be directed to the Accommodation Staff.

Homestay accommodation

Students staying in a homestay will have the

opportunity to experience British life and also

have the chance to practice their new language

skills with fluent English speakers. Students who

choose homestay accommodation 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 because 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 stu-

dent. As you get an in-depth look at British life,

you will realize that British 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 rela-

tionship with or discipline of children and the rela-

tionship with pets are just some examples. If you

are open-minded about these differences, life in

the family will be a great learning experience.

There is no stereotypical family. Hosts may con-

sist of 1) mother and father without children, 2)

single mother with children, 3) mother, father and

children, 4) retired couple, 5) widowed woman,

or 6) single father with children.

You are responsible for all transportation costs to

and from the host’s home. You may be placed

up to one hour away from the school.

Before you leave your home country, please

let your homestay hosts know the date and

estimated time of your arrival to ensure they are

at home to welcome you when you arrive.

Laundry and Facilities

Your homestay hosts will change your towel

and sheets every week. You are responsible for

your own clothes. If you want to use your host ’s

washing facilities, there will usually be a charge of

approximately £4 - £5.

You are responsible for your personal items such

as shampoo, conditioner, soap and other items.

In England not all bathrooms have showers – it is

very common to just have a bath. You will prob-

ably share the bathroom with others. This means

that you may need to be flexible about shower

and bath times. Very few students have their own

bathroom. If you want to take a long time in the

bath or shower check to see that nobody else is

waiting to use the bathroom.

Always remember to keep your room clean and

tidy. Make your bed, and put your belongings

away. You are also responsible for cleaning up

after snacks and for washing your own dishes

after breakfast. It is also polite to help clear the

table after dinner.

Telephone use

To call your friends and family you will need to

use a prepaid telephone card, which is available

at the school. 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.

Requests for change

Homestay accommodation is booked for your

entire course. You may only change homestays

for very serious reasons. 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

6 Brighton, UK

weekends. You are responsible for your own

lunch during the week. Meals will only be pro-

vided 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.

Residence deposit

On arrival at our school you will be required to

pay a £100 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.

Residential accommodation

EF Brighton Residence

Shared facilities with breakfast (half board is

available for an additional cost). Situated close

to shops, entertainment and the beach. The

residence has a large cafeteria, TV lounge, and

laundry room. Wireless Internet access is avail-

able in all communal areas including the large

garden.

8. Money MattersCurrency

British currency is in pounds sterling (abbreviated

to GBP, Great British Pound, or nicknamed 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 denominations

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, however It is a good idea to open a

bank account if you will be staying more than

6 months. 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. You

will also need to take money for learning materi-

als 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 travel-

ler’s cheques. Many places also accept major

credit cards.

Money cannot be changed at the school, but

please ask staff where you are able to change

money or traveller’s cheques.

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

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 pur-

chased 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. 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 & 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.

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 insur-

ance 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

insurance 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 insurance

expert. The policy protects you against expenses

incurred through accident or illness, and provides

coverage for loss or theft of baggage and per-

sonal 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 pro-

vide you with an opportunity to meet and make

7 Brighton, UK

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 familiarize

yourself with British culture.

Activity programme

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regular

schedule of local activities, day-trips, and week-

end excursions to area attractions. The cost of

these trips is not included in the tuition.

Weekly activities

We have a weekly programme of activities on

campus (dances, movie nights, coffeehouse

nights) at either no cost or minimal cost. The

Activities Coordinator 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 a debit or credit card. Our excur-

sions are organised at a minimum cost, are great

fun and extremely good value. You are always

accompanied by an EF staff member.

Typical excursions and approximate prices

Excursions could range from day trip to Oxford,

or the Roman City of Bath (cost between £20

and £25) to weekend trips to Edinburgh, Dublin,

Amsterdam or Paris (cost between £150 and

£170). These prices are subject to change.

Example of the Brighton activities schedule

These activities may differ from those on offer

during your stay here with us.

Monday

z Welcome Walk: Meet Activities Office 1:30 pm

for a chance to see the city centre and hear

about the important buildings and places of

interest

z International student club night: at

Ponana Club

Tuesday

z Join us for a round at 1:30 pm for a round of

golf at the local pitch and put course.

Cost £4.50

z Cinema Night: Matrix reloaded Odeon Cinema

8:40 pm Cost £5.50

Wednesday

z Lewes afternoon: Meet at the activities office at

2:30 pm. for a trip to the county town of Sus-

sex, which has the remains of an old castle, an

abbey and lots of history. Cost £3

z Theatre night: ‘Fame’ Theatre Royal, New

Street, 7:45 pm Cost £10.50

Thursday

z Booth Museum: Meet in the Activities Office

2:30 pm to visit an old Victorian museum based

on natural history.

z Dog racing: Meet at Churchill Square 7:30 pm

to enjoy one of the largest spectator sports in

the country. Cost £4

Friday

z Football afternoon: Meet at 4 pm at East

Brighton Park. Everyone is welcome to come

and play.

z Beach Barbecue: All students welcome to

this fantastic international gathering to sample

some great cooking and make friends from

around the globe. Meet at 8 pm between the

two piers.

Saturday

z Beach volleyball: Meet at the sand volleyball

court between the piers at 2 pm Cost £1

to play.

Sunday

z London day trip: Sightseeing including entrance

into the fantastic Madam Tussauds. Coach

leaves Brighton pier at 8:30 am Cost £26.

Let us help you have fun!We also have use of local sports facilities, as well

as having regular football competitions between

the five EF Schools. Whether it’s booking the the-

atre through one of EF’s ticket agents or finding

the best place to hire a car we have the means

to help you.

Parties and pub nights are held on a regular

basis as well as going to clubs, theatres and

musicals. The city has a wide range of activities

from ten-pin bowling to horse riding, so whatever

your interests are, the EF Activities staff is more

than happy to help.

8 Brighton, UK

Brighton also boasts many museums and other

tourist attractions such as The Royal Pavilion,

which is Brighton’s most famous landmark. This

is an extravagant oriental style palace, built for

George, the Prince Regent in 1815. His love

of Brighton first made the town fashionable,

and “Regency” architecture gives the town its

special character. You can also visit the Brighton

Museum and Art Gallery which houses 15-20th

century art, as well as excellent temporary exhibi-

tions or the Sea Life Centre in which there are live

displays of over 60 marine species.

Your stay would not be complete without a trip to

The Brighton Pier with its amusement arcades or

The Lanes which reflect the charming old town

of Brighton, famous for its narrow winding streets

and alleyways housing interesting little shops and

restaurants.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The Brighton public transport systems provide

the most popular way to travel in the Brighton

area.

Buses

Bus travel for most journeys within the city is

£1.80 for a single journey, however, depend-

ing on how often you use a bus you may wish

to purchase a travel card from activities. For

example, a weekly bus pass currently costs £16

and a monthly one costs £53.

Transportation from accommodation to school

You are responsible for all transportation costs to

and from your accommodation.

All our homestays are located near a bus route

which will bring you to the school. In some

homestay locations, you may have to change

buses, but the longest time the journey should

take is one hour. Your hosts will tell you which

bus to take.

If you are living in the EF residence, the seafront

bus route brings you directly to the school; the

staff there will help you on the first morning.

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 and

encouragement.

z An academic program which combines

language, special interest, and culture-oriented

classes.

z Full program of local activities and excursions at

special EF rates.

z Accommodation in either homestay or student

residence.

z All designated meals.

z EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for Aca-

demic Year Abroad students with 80% atten-

dance per term and good academic standing

and academic records

z EF Course Certificate for International Language

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 pre-

pare yourself according to the meal plan.

z Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transportation

costs are your responsibility.

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

10 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 cus-

toms 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.

z your passport (valid for at least six months after

the end of your EF course).

z appropriate visa for your stay

z proof of your ability to meet the cost of the

course, to maintain yourself and any depen-

dents without needing to work during your stay.

z 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 maintain-

ing 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. Violations will

lead to a verbal warning and possible disciplinary

action by the School Director.

The following are illegal in Great Britain:

z Drugs (non-medicinal)

z Alcohol if you are under 18 years old

z Buying tobacco if you are under 18 (or buying

for someone who is under 18)

z Smoking law - no smoking in public buildings.

Please note that smoking is against the law in

all public, enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces

in the UK.

z Shop-lifting

9 Brighton, UK

z Driving without insurance or a valid

driving license

z 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 being

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 requirements

before you leave your country to avoid disap-

pointment.

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

recommended 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 res-

taurants where no service charge is added to the

bill. 10% is normally acceptable. In restaurants

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 adap-

tor if you wish to use any of your own electrical

appliances.

Recommended reading

z 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.

Recommended websites

z www.brighton.co.uk

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

dents 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 sometimes

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 differences

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 without

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 your-

self 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.

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 we

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 a goal that you will speak

English at all times.

z 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 adventure. 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:

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 pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some mu-

sic, a costume, pictures, or some typical 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

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 3: (Year) Mon 11 Jun - Fri 17 Aug

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 3: (Year) Mon 24 Sep - Fri 30 Nov

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 3: (Year) Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Feb

Departure: 9 Feb 2013

September 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 2 (Year): Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar

Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013

Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar

Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan

Term 1: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar

Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar

Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013

Holiday: Sat 8 Jun - Sun 16 Jun

Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School 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) 1273 571780 ________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+(44) 7767 700487________________________________________

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) 1273 571780_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+(44) 7767 700487_________________________________________

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

_________________________________________