Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

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 Cent-

ers 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.

EF Cambridge

Cambridge is a charming university city, offering

the best of England’s academic heritage. The

conveniently located EF school enables students

to appreciate Cambridge’s traditional student life

along the River Cam and its timeless medieval

colleges.

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

Cambridge

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFCambridge

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 - Cambridge

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing the EF International Language Center in Cambridge for your studies. The school was founded in 1977 and is located in its own garden just 20 minutes walk from the city centre, making it an ideal location in which to study and explore the city.

The school staff has many years experience of working with overseas students. If you require help in preparing for exams, obtaining a work placement, or guidance in further studies at an English university then we are here to help you. In addition to your academic work we have staff available to help with your accommodation and your leisure time, ensuring that you make the most of your stay with us. With over 40 nationalities study-ing at any one time you can be sure to make many friends from around the world.

Cambridge itself is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, set on the banks of the River Cam. It is a cosmopolitan University town and this is reflected in the shops, restaurants and entertainment sector. There are concerts, music festivals, river races and fairs taking place throughout the year and if you are feeling adventurous, then London is less than 1 hour by train.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to the Cambridge school and helping you make the most of your time in England.

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

3 Cambridge, UK

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

interesting and varied countries to study in!

Britain’s character has been shaped by its

position as an island. It has not been success-

fully invaded since 1066 and its people have

developed their own distinctive traditions.

The Roman invasion of AD43 lasted for 350

years and helped bring culture and civilization

to the islands. This was soon replaced by the

culture and language of the Northern European

settlers that followed.

For a small island, Great Britain encompasses

much variety in its regions. Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland are ruled through London but

they remain separate countries from England.

Many have their own regional language as well

as English. Even the landscape, architecture

and food can vary from region to region, from

the mountains of Wales and Scotland to the

rolling hills of the south and west and from

the haggis of Scotland through to the fish and

chips of England.

Over three quarters of the land is set aside

for agriculture but during the 19th and 20th

centuries there was a huge growth in the urban

population. Britain became the first industria-

lised nation and thousands of people moved

from the countryside to the towns and cities

near mines, mills and factories. The effect of

this can still been seen today with many of

Britain’s streets containing small residential ter-

raced housing that was originally built to house

the influx of people.

The British love their countryside and animals.

There is a great enthusiasm for country and city

parks with many wildlife nature reserves across

the country. This even extends to the home

where many gardens are lovingly tended and it

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

British cities are melting pots for people from

all over the world. Since the 1950s hundreds of

thousands of immigrants came from the former

British colonies in Africa, Asia and the Carib-

bean. This ensured a steady supply of labour

into the country. Today nearly 10 per cent of

Britain’s 58 million people are from non-white

ethnic groups and over half of these were born

in Britain. In larger cities such as London, this

figure reaches nearly 40 per cent. As a result

Britain boasts a wide range of music, art, food

and religion - giving you the student exciting

new experiences.

When you are studying you will notice how Britain

has changed over the years. While still holding

on to traditions such as the Royal family and the

legal and Parliamentary systems, Great Britain

will offer you the chance to experience varied

historical, cultural and vibrant ways of life. We

believe that living abroad and learning a language

will give you valuable insights into the culture,

customs and history of your host country and

give you many essential skills to take home.

3. Weather WatchThe weather in Cambridge is typical of English

weather and is often unpredictable, although

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

mer months of May, June, July, August and

September, Cambridge often has very sunny

days and the climate is generally warm.

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 3° to 18°C (37° to 64°F)

Summer: 9° to 24°C (48° to 75°F)

Autumn: 3° to 18°C (37° to 64°F)

Winter: 0° to 9°C (32° to 48°F)

4. Travel & transfer service Transfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be

confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service

from the airport to your accommodation for an

additional fee. We highly recommend that you

take advantage of this service.

At least one month before your arrival, you

must inform the EF Office in your home country

of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight

number, date and time).

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

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

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

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

4 Cambridge, UK

When you arrive in Cambridge you will be met

by an EF Representative at the airport and usu-

ally transferred with other EF students. When

you pass through customs wait at the arrival

area for an EF Representative to meet you. Do

not go to another part of the airport unless an

EF staff member tells you to. If, after approxi-

mately 30 minutes you still have not met with

your greeter, go to the information desk where

an EF representative will be able to assist you.

We would ask you to be extra vigilant on ar-

rival at the airports as there have been a few

incidents where students have been picked

up by Taxi Touts, who frequently target foreign

students. They convince them they are EF Taxi

drivers, drive the students to their destination

and then charge them for the transfer telling

them that they can then claim this money back

from the school. This is not true, so please

make sure that you do not go with any driver

who is not holding an EF sign.

Please note: your local EF office will provide

you with important contact information such as

an emergency number before your departure.

Special transfers

Special transfers are available at a supplement;

this means a driver will be allocated just for you.

Independent transfers

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

commodation, the best route to take depends

on which airport you arrive at.

❚ From London Heathrow Airport you can

catch a bus from Terminal 5, or from the

central bus stop outside Terminal 2; this will

take you to Cambridge.

❚ From London Gatwick you can catch a bus

from outside the North Terminal or the South

Terminal; this will take you to Cambridge.

❚ From Stansted Airport (closest airport to

Cambridge) you can take a train direct to

Cambridge railway station or an airport bus

to Cambridge. A short taxi ride will then take

you to your final destination.

❚ Taxis are available from Cambridge bus sta-

tion or railway station.

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

plished staff of teachers and administrators.

There is also an Activities Coordinator who

organises EF activities and excursions.

The school offers the following facilities:

❚ Self-study room

❚ Computer rooms

❚ Free Internet and email access, including

Wi-Fi access for personal laptops

❚ Student lounge

❚ Private garden

❚ Cafeteria

❚ Flat screen TV (in the cafeteria)

❚ Table tennis

❚ Payphone

❚ Fax

❚ Interactive student website

❚ 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 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

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 stu-

dent may not be able to repeat the same SPIN

class. Each lesson is 40 minutes in length.

Class size

The average class size is 15 students with a

maximum of 17 students.

Class Schedule

Classes will be scheduled between 8.30 am

and 7.30 pm 5 consecutive days per week and

may be in the morning or the afternoon.

Peak Summer Season Timetabling

During the summer between the first week of

July and the third week of August, the school

is open for classes Monday through Saturday.

Your schedule will be either Monday to Friday

or Tuesday to Saturday between the hours

of 8.30 am and 7.30 pm. Your timetable will

confirm your schedule.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes.

Consistent failure to attend class, for what-

ever reason, may result in expulsion from the

program with no refund of course fees. In order

to be eligible for an EF certificate, students

are expected to participate in class and must

attend at least 80% of all classes.

Please note: EF complies with UK Border 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 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.

5 Cambridge, UK

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 inter-

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, IELTS and TOEFL exams are all

popular with students. IELTS and TOEFL must

be taken at an external examination centre and

booked several months in advance. Cambridge

exams can be taken in the school at regular pe-

riods throughout the year. You will need to pay

fees to register for public exams in the UK. This

is typically £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 uni-

versity placement service that provides expert

advice on applying for university in the UK and

Ireland. If you are interested in continuing your

studies, you are encouraged to talk with the

University Pathways Manager at your school.

7. Accommodation & MealsHomestay and student residence accom-

modation are available at the EF school. All

homestay matters or residence hall 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 British 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 mem-

bers 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 student. 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 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.

There is no stereotypical family. Hosts may

consist of 1) mother and father without chil-

dren, 2) single mother with children, 3) mother,

father and children, 4) retired couple, 5) wid-

owed woman, or 6) single father with children.

EF has two different types of homestay

accommodation; Homestay, which has a

maximum of four students per house and two

students per room; and Homeshare which has

up to eight students in one house and two

students per room. Homeshare offers a more

independent atmosphere and students have

less direct contact with the homestay hosts.

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 esti-

mated 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

probably 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 belong-

ings away. You are also responsible for clean-

ing up after snacks and for washing your own

dishes after breakfast. It is also polite to help

clear the table after dinner.

6 Cambridge, UK

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 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.

There is an EF Cafeteria at the school, where

you can purchase snacks and drinks through-

out the day.

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.

Student residences

Both residences in Cambridge (Varsity House

and Purbeck House) are bright modern build-

ings, conveniently situated for the city, the

school and local amenities. Purbeck House

residence is located just 5 minutes from the

school. At both residences you will be provided

with bed linen and towels which will be your

responsibilty to keep clean. Each residence

has onsite coin operated laundry facilities. The

residences are non-smoking buildings, like the

school, and we have a strict no-alcohol policy.

We have our own EF staff in the residences, so

there is always someone on duty to help.There

is a supplementary charge to book residential

accommodation. If you would like more infor-

mation about this option, please call your sales

consultant.

Varsity House residence

Located approximately 15 minutes from the

school, Varsity House offers single en suite ac-

commodation with self-catering shared kitchen/

diner facilties. The address for Varsity House is:

EF International Language Center

Room xx

Block G

Varsity House

New Street

Cambridge CB1 2TX

Purbeck House residence

Located just 3 minutes from the school, Pur-

beck House offers a choice of high standard

twin accommodation in studios or apartments

with shared common room and TV. The ad-

dress for Purbeck House is:

EF International Language Center

Flat xx

Purbeck House

Purbeck Road

Cambridge CB2 8HZ

Meals in a student residence

Students in the EF Residence must provide

their own meals. Again, for snacks and small

meals during the day students can buy provi-

sions in the popular EF Cafeteria at the school.

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 (abbreviated

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

traveller’s cheques. Many places also accept

major credit cards.

Changing money

When changing money in the UK always go to

a recognised bank or travel agent. Commis-

sion rates will vary so check first for the best

rate. We regret that we are unable to change

money in the school.

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 checks.

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 purchased at the EF school. We recommend

that students expecting to stay for a long period

of time come with or purchase a mobile phone.

7 Cambridge, UK

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 and 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 insurance company. Please note: You will

need to keep all receipts in order to receive

money back from the insurance company.

All students are required to bring proof of insur-

ance in English to show that they have proper

health insurance when a medical emergency

occurs. Students who do not bring proof of in-

surance will be required to purchase insurance

through EF at the school.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with

Erika Travel Insurance, an international insur-

ance expert. The policy protects you against ex-

penses incurred through accident or illness, and

provides coverage for loss or theft of baggage

and personal effects. It also provides coverage

against interruption of your EF program due to

illness as well as liability and legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When

you are sick or injured the last thing you want

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

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to

your social and academic success. They not

only help you to relax after a day studying, they

also provide you with an opportunity to meet

and make friends from other classes, other

countries and other cultures. Your school’s ac-

tivities and trips give you the opportunity to apply

your life skills, practice English in real situations

and familiarize yourself with British culture.

Activity Programme

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regu-

lar schedule of local activities, day-trips, and

weekend excursions to area attractions. The

cost of these trips is not included in the tuition.

Weekly activities

We have a weekly programme of activities (danc-

es, 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 traveller’s cheques.

Our excursions are organised at a minimum cost,

are great fun and extremely good value. You are

always accompanied by an EF staff member.

Typical activities and excursions

Excursions could range from a day trip to Ox-

ford, or the Roman City of Bath (cost between

£20 and £30) to weekend trips to Edinburgh,

Dublin, Amsterdam or Paris (cost between £150

and £170). These prices are subject to change.

Example of the Cambridge activities schedule

These activities may differ from those on offer

during your stay here with us.

Monday

❚ Free entrance to a local nightclub, tickets

available from the Activities Organiser

Tuesday

❚ Free walking tour with the Activities Organiser

at 2:30 pm

❚ Coffee house evening - meet international

friends at Andy’s Coffee House

Wednesday

❚ Visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum - Free

❚ Rock night at the Junction - £5

8 Cambridge, UK

Thursday

❚ Punting afternoon - £3

❚ Theatre evening in London, coach departs

at 4 pm - £40 including travel and top tickets.

Friday

❚ DVD club - Free - choose your film

❚ Boogie the night away at Ballare

Saturday

❚ Day trip to Bath and Stonehenge - £30

Sunday

❚ Visit Camden market in London and go on

the London Eye - £26

Let us help you have fun!

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 activi-

ties from volleyball to horse riding, so whatever

your interests are, the EF Activities staff will be

more than happy to help. We also have use of

local sports facilities, as well as having regular

football competitions between the EF Schools.

Whether it’s booking the theatre through one of

EF’s ticket agents or finding the best place to

hire a car we have the means to help you.

Cambridge boasts many museums and art

galleries. Most of the museums and art galler-

ies in Cambridge are attached to the University

and are free to enter. These include the Fitzwil-

liam Museum.

Thirty-one colleges form the University of Cam-

bridge, which is one of the oldest and most

prestigious universities in the world. Many of

the college buildings are architecturally stun-

ning, and create the unique atmosphere that

makes Cambridge special. During your stay

you might visit Peterhouse - the first college,

founded in 1284; or King’s College - founded

in 1441 by King Henry VI which is one of the

most beautiful colleges in Cambridge, famous

for its incredible chapel, which is perhaps the

finest building in the city.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

Cambridge has an excellent network of buses

and trains, providing Cambridge with good

connections throughout the UK.

Buses

Located in Drummer Street, close to the city

centre, Cambridge bus station provides a wide

range of transport options in and around the

Cambridge area. A weekly bus pass will cost

approximately £11-18 per week and can be

bought on the bus. This bus pass can be used

as often as the student wishes on any city bus

route. Please note that these are current prices

and are subject to change at any time.

Taxi

There are two kinds of ‘taxi’ available in

Cambridge, one kind is a “hackney carriage”

and these can be picked up at many locations

throughout Cambridge, they have TAXI signs

on top of the car and the price is registered on

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

“private hire car” which can only be obtained

by telephoning the hire car company directly.

Bicycles

The bicycle is an extremely popular means

of travel in Cambridge. On your first day of

school, you will be able to hire a bike at a

special reduced rate for your entire stay in

Cambridge. Depending on which time of year

you come to study in Cambridge, prices may

change slightly. The longer you hire a bicycle

the cheaper the rates are.

Trains

Located not far from the city centre on Station

Road, Cambridge Train Station is within easy

walking distance of central Cambridge. There

are also regular buses that travel to the

train station.

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. 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, a member

of staff will show you how to get to 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:

❚ Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

❚ An academic program which combines lan-

guage, special interest, and culture-oriented

classes.

❚ Full program of local activities and excursions

at special EF rates.

❚ Accommodation in either homestay or stu-

dent residence.

❚ All designated meals.

❚ EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for

Academic Year Abroad students with 80%

attendance and good academic standing and

academic records

❚ EF Course Certificate for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and

good academic standing.

❚ Preparation classes and/or materials for appro-

priate standardized language exams and avail-

ability of University Placement Service (UPS).

What EF expects of you:

❚ To develop a greater understanding of the

world around you.

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

do your best in class at all times.

❚ To be respectful of your homestay hosts, your

classmates, your teachers and your community.

❚ To keep your room and shared areas clean.

❚ To speak English at all times.

❚ To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of

your host country, state, campus and school.

What you can expect from your homestay hosts:

❚ A comfortable, clean place to live.

❚ Prepared meals or accessibility to food to

prepare yourself according to the meal plan.

❚ Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transporta-

tion 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

9 Cambridge, UK

the UK without restrictions. If you have a Tier 4

General Student visa you are able to work up to

20 hours per week. This does not apply if you

come to the UK as a Student Visitor. The same

rules apply for students wishing to participate

in an internship during their course. If you want

the possibility of working or doing an internship

make sure you apply for the right visa.

Customs

Read the customs notices carefully. Do not

try to bring any prohibited substances into the

country. We cannot help you if you are stopped

by customs for illegal importation of anything

which is against the law in Great Britain.

Immigration

If you are not a European Community national,

you will need to produce the following docu-

ments when you arrive in Great Britain.

❚ your passport (valid for at least six months

after the end of your EF course).

❚ appropriate visa for your stay

❚ 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.

❚ your EF confirmation letter showing that you

have enrolled for a full time course of study.

Food

British food today has influences from abroad

introducing a wider range of ingredients

and more adventurous cooking. While still

maintaining its love of more traditional dishes,

Britain now has one of the widest selections of

restaurants in the world.

Dos and Don’ts

You will be required to abide by national laws

as well as the rules of the EF school. Violations

will lead to a verbal warning and possible disci-

plinary action by the School Director.

The following are illegal in Great Britain:

❚ Drugs (non-medicinal)

❚ Alcohol if you are under 18 years old

❚ Buying tobacco if you are under 18 (or buying

for someone who is under 18)

❚ Smoking law - no smoking in public buildings.

Smoking is against the law in all public, en-

closed & semi-enclosed spaces in the UK.

❚ Shop-lifting

❚ Driving without insurance or a valid driving

license

❚ Offensive weapons (including pocket knives)

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

almost certainly be sent straight home on the

next available flight and you may even risk be-

ing sent to prison.

Travel outside of England

If you are planning to travel outside England

during your course you may need a visa.

Please ensure that you check any visa require-

ments before you leave your country to avoid

disappointment.

If your passport has a single entry visa and you

are studying for six months or less then you will

not be able to travel outside the UK. This visa

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

ommended that you apply for a Schengen Visa

before leaving your home country if possible.

This will give you free travel throughout many

European countries without the need to apply

for individual tourist visas in the UK.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for taxi drivers and in

restaurants where no service charge is added

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

taurants where service is included and in bars,

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

Appliances and electricity

Remember that the mains voltage in Great

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

adaptor if you wish to use any of your own

electrical appliances.

Recommended reading

❚ Lonely Planet Britain, Lonely Planet Publica-

tions, Ltd. Great user-friendly travel guide for

where to go, how to get around, where to

stay and what to eat.

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

Great student travel guide for where to go, how

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

Recommended websites

❚ www.visitcambridge.org

❚ www.city-explorer.co.uk

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

students who have come together to learn

English. It is also a multi-cultural group of

young adults who are eager to share their

own culture and learn the culture of their host

country and fellow classmates.

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

traditions and practices of a specific community

or population. Our culture affects how we view

ourselves, how we relate to others and what we

value as important in life. We are often unaware

of how much our culture affects our lives.

You may have already had some exposure to

the new culture you are about to experience.

You may have seen television shows, read

books, or studied in school about the UK.

While some parts of this culture may already

seem familiar to you, experiencing a new

culture first-hand will prove exciting. You will be

meeting students from all over the world who,

like you, are looking forward to spending a year

learning and living a language, both inside and

outside the classroom.

As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience

periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are

uncomfortable. Culture shock is what some-

times happens when we try to meet challenges

of our new culture by using the values, beliefs,

and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to

a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-

ences are merely different - not right or wrong.

It is a good idea to bring traditional objects

from your culture to share with other students

and your host to teach them about

your country.

Tips on coping with change

Remember that change does not come with-

out some effort! We humans need a certain

amount of stress to motivate us to learn new

ways of being. Learning always involves some

form of change. You should try the following:

❚ While you might be tempted to surround

yourself with things that are familiar to you, try

not to isolate yourself by being only with others

from your home country. Keep reaching out to

your host, roommates and other students.

❚ Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

10 Cambridge, UK

❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.

EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

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

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak English at all times.

❚ Remind yourself that you came to this

country to experience a new culture, to meet

others and to explore your new surroundings.

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on

the days before leaving your home country

when you were excited about your new ad-

venture. Try to refocus this former excitement

towards your experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and

changes that take place over the year is to

keep a journal. By recording your experiences

and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able

to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will

have a record of your academic and personal

progress to look back on in days and years to

come. Be sure to note changes in:

❚ Language skills

❚ School performance and involvement

❚ Campus/host adjustment

❚ Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and Items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some

music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-

cal crafts, it would be good to show other

students, as well as to decorate your room

to make it seem like home. We have seen

costumes and drums from Korea, dancing and

music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas

from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your

friends, family and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

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

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 1223 240020________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+44 7747 620056________________________________________