Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.com

EF Munich

Important 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.

MünchenEnjoy life in the beautiful Bavarian city of Munich.

Our school provides excellent facilities for language

learning near to the city centre. Enjoy spending

time in this historic city with a modern attitude.

Contact details: EF Internationale Sprachschule München, Sternstr. 5, 80538 München, GermanyTel: +49 89 23 11 90 50

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFMunich

Section Topic

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

2 .......... Welcome to Germany

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 ........ German culture & living tips

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

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

17 ........ Checklist

Contents - Munich

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing our school for your studies.

We are committed to ensuring that your time here is

enjoyable and rewarding. We believe that whether this

is your first visit to Germany or if you are a seasoned

traveller, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time

at EF Munich.

The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the school,

along with the liveliness of Germany’s biggest univer-

sity town will serve to make your stay here unique.

We guarantee that your stay will be filled with new

and exciting experiences in the warm and welcoming

heart of Germany’s Bavaria.

The school staff and I look forward to meeting you

soon and helping you make the most of your time in

Germany.

Best wishes,

Dr. phil. Jürgen Oehler, School Director

EF Internationale Sprachschule, München

3 Munich, Germany

2. Welcome to MunichThe origin of Munich goes back to the 8th century

and a tiny monastic settlement known as “Bei

den Munchen”, which literally means “by the

monks”. Further development of the city followed

in the mid 12th century through the action of

Henry the Lion. On June 14, 1158 (according to

the city’s foundation), he received approval from

the Emperor for a bridge which he had put across

the River Isar illegaly! At the same time, Munich

was elevated to the status of a market-town and

granted rights of coinage and toll collecting.

In the 13th century, the city became the resi-

dence of the Dukes of Wittelsbach and in 1214

was granted the rights of a city. The rule of the

Wittelsbachs endured more than 700 years. At

this time, Munich, the commercial and residen-

tial city, obtained the reputation of a European

centre of culture.

The city is a time-machine showing monuments

from every epoch and style of architecture

including the mighty towers of the late Gothic

cathedral tower over the city. The magnificent

St. Michael, the largest renaissance church

north of the Alps was built by religious Duke

William V. The city rulers, however, left their

most significant mark in the period of Ba-

roque and Rococo. The Theatiner Church

(built in 1664) in magnificent Italian baroque is

downtown opposite the Royal Palace of the

Residence. Other famous buildings, Nymphen-

burg and Schleissheim Castles, for example,

or the world-famous Amalienburg, show the

influence of its architectural style. When in the

early 19th century, Bavaria became a kingdom,

city walls were no longer needed in the capital.

King Ludwig I had these medieval monuments

removed. Munich expanded further and con-

structed Greek-style buildings, great forum-like

squares, and the Ludwigstrasse, which is one

of the most beautiful boulevards in Europe. The

buildings of the late 19th century and of the Art

Nouveau period, many of which are still stand-

ing today, lent Munich the appearance of a

great metropolitan centre. The losses of World

War II could, to a large extent, be restored, in

an exemplary reconstruction. Today the city is

an active, living mixture of the old and the new.

3. Weather WatchMunich has an average Western European

climate. Winter can be quite cold, summers

warm to hot.

Temperatures range from:

Summer: 15° to 30°C

Winter: -15° to 10°C

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 inform the EF Office in your home country

of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight

number, date and time). We also recommend

you to contact your host family by e-mail or

telephone before arriving at the destination.

For students who have booked the EF transfer

service; the EF greeter will be waiting at the exit

of the baggage claim/customs area with an EF

sign. Should you not see the airport greeter,

(he/she may be busy picking up other students)

wait a moment at the exit, until the EF greeter

arrives.

Independent Arrival

If you choose not to take advantage of the

transfer service the transfer information below

should allow you to reach your destination in

Munich without any problems. Please plan to

arrive at your homestay on the day preceding

your course between 14.00 and 19.00.

Arriving by train

If you arrive at Munich’s main station - Haupt-

bahnhof - you can take the U-Bahn, S-Bahn,

bus or taxi to your homestay.

1. Introduction to EFEF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and so-cial activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language.

EF students come from diverse backgrounds 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 many years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of our students ap-ply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifi-cations for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills.

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 Munich, Germany

Arriving by plane

Munich’s International Airport is located 30

km away from the city centre so a taxi is very

expensive (about 80€ to get to the city centre).

We suggest one of the following:

❚ Take the S-Bahn train (Either Line S 1 or S

8) directly from the airport to Hauptbahnhof

which takes 39 minutes and costs 10.50€

(Streifenkarte). This a very safe and simple

method, as transportation in Munich is very

efficient and well organised.

❚ Take the airport bus directly to Hauptbahnhof

which costs approximately 10€, and then a

taxi to your homestay.

Arrival at the school

Add space here: The EF Internationale Sprach-

schule is located right in the city centre. Take

the U-Bahn lines U4 or U5 from Hauptbahnhof

and get off at the metro stop “Lehel”. Choose

the stairs to the right when exiting the U-Bahn

and you will see the building of the school

straight ahead. Follow Gewürzmühlstrasse

along the building until the end of the street.

The EF school entrance is at the corner at

Sternstrasse 5.

5. School InformationThe EF Internationale Sprachschule is conve-

niently located in the heart of Munich: 10 minutes

by foot from Marienplatz, 5 minutes from the

beautiful Englischer Garten and 5 minutes by U-

Bahn to Hauptbahnhof. The area of the school is

calm and safe with many companies and banks

being situated next door. Around the corner you

find nice restaurants, cafés and shopping. The

Englischer Garten is perfect for any kind of out-

door sports: jogging, football, volleyball, fitness,

horse back riding, etc. In the summer you can

swim and surf (!) in the river Isar.

School facilities

The EF school provides a tranquil and com-

fortable study environment in highly modern

facilities. Classes are given in bright and well-

equipped class rooms. Students can relax in

the lounge area with access to computers. Wifi

is provided in the entire school. Internet is also

in the iLab for students to use whenever there

is not class. Vending machines of hot and cold

drinks and snacks are provided. The students

can also enjoy the calm and nice court yard of

the building.

❚ School facilities: Activities office, accommoda-

tion office, wireless internet, vending machines,

student lounge, courtyard, kitchenette and

nearby sports facilities.

❚ Academic facilities: Academic office, iLab with

18 desktop PCs, Redaktion D system, online

and offline study material, large and modernly

equipped classrooms.

Staff

A very competent staff, including the school

director, Dr. phil. Jürgen Oehler, the Housing

Coordinator and the Activities Coordinator will

be available to assist you.

Questions about your course can be answered

most easily if you ask the right person. The

following people are always ready and willing

to help - you only have to ask:

❚ School Director: can help with anything to do

with the general organisation of the course

and will deal with any problems of a serious

nature. He/she may also help with admin-

istrative problems such as banking, visas,

course changes and insurance, as well as

with more important academic matters such

as class changes and examinations.

❚ Housing Coordinator: can help with host

family problems and financial questions.

❚ Activities Coordinator: can advise on

entertainment, sports, travel and other non-

academic events.

❚ Teachers or Course Advisor: can help with

any language difficulties or study problems.

❚ Homestay hosts: Can help with domestic

and general problems about life at home.

6. Academics EF language courses give students the opportu-

nity to study the German language and the local

culture for as long, and with as much intensity,

as suits the student and his or her needs. All our

teachers have academic or professional training

and participate in specific training for teaching

German as a foreign language according to the

EF teaching method.

Orientation

On your first day of school, you will be wel-

comed by the School Director at 9.00 and you

will be given a placement test, lasting about

an hour. This test will allow us to find the right

class level for you. You will also receive more

information about Munich, the course, and

the activities and excursions available to you.

By the afternoon on your first day, you will

be given the name of your teacher and the

classroom where your lessons will begin the

next day and you will receive your personalised

timetable for the week. Also on the first day,

the school will help you to obtain a weekly or

monthly transportation pass. During the first

two school days, you will also be given a tour

of the school area and the centre of Munich.

Classes

Each week you will have 20 lessons if you

follow the Basic programme, 26 lessons if

your are following the General programme and

32 lessons if you are following the Intensive

or Exam programme. Each lesson lasts 40

minutes. Most classes are taught in double les-

sons lasting 80 minutes.

Class schedule

Classes will be held either in the morning or in

the afternoon. In addition, there will be six units

of supervised studies/project work per week

for Intensive course students.

General German Classes

The General German lessons focus on the de-

velopment of the four skills of speaking, listen-

ing, reading and writing. They also include work

on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

Special Interest Classes

Special Interest classes allow you to improve

your German 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 but most are open to

all students in the programme. Some of the

‘Special Interest’ classes that have been held

in the past have included Literature, Drama,

Politics, Media Studies, Popular Music, History,

Business German, Art History, New German

Film, Intensive Communication, Grammar.

Homework

You are expected to complete all assignments

set by your teachers in General German and

Special Interest classes.

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

5 Munich, Germany

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.

Assessment

You will be assessed at regular intervals

throughout the course and, at the end of each

term, a report stating your progress will be sent

to your parents or sponsors. You will be as-

sessed on the basis of attendance, participa-

tion, attitude and performance in class. At the

end of the course you have the opportunity

of receiving a European Language Portfolio,

created by the Council of Europe, which docu-

ments and describes your language proficiency

in German.

Feedback

You will be asked to attend regular meetings

to discuss the course and to let us know your

thoughts and opinions, problems and worries.

You will also be assigned a counsellor who will

monitor your progress throughout the year and

answer any of your queries.

Exams

EF Munich offers preparation courses for exams

of all the European language levels A1 to C2:

TestDaF, Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf and

Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom. The exams

must be taken at an external examination centre

and booked several months in advance. Advice

for the most appropriate exam to take will be

given to you by the school director. The enrol-

ment fee is between 100 and 225 euros that

you need to pay. We recommend 8-12 weeks

of studying before the exam.

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.

Class Size

The average class size is 15 with a maximum

of 17 students in both the core German

classes and the Special Interest classes.

7. Accommodation & MealsWe feel that accommodation in a host family is

the best way for you to integrate into German

society and make the most of your stay in

Munich. If you prefer to find your own accom-

modation, your EF office can inform you of the

amount that will be deducted from your total

course fee. It is important that you consider

your options before leaving your home country.

Once you have chosen the homestay accom-

modation, you have committed yourself to stay-

ing with a family for the duration of your course.

Host familiy

Our host families are selected by the local EF

Accommodation coordinator, who knows all of

the families personally. Your accommodation

is arranged from the Sunday evening prior to

the start of your course, through the Saturday

morning following the end of your course. Any

special requests for arranging additional nights

should be confirmed with your home office

prior to departure.

Room: your bedroom will have a bed, bed

linens, closet space and towels for home

use. You will also have access to a desk,

which may or may not be in your own room.

Generally, you will share a twin room with an

EF student of another nationality, although we

cannot always guarantee this.

Laundry: your hosts will wash your sheets and

towels, however they are not responsible for

doing your personal laundry. (Some hosts may

offer to do it for you and will charge a small

fee to cover water and detergent costs). Upon

arrival, the information you will receive will con-

tain a list of launderettes available to you.

Inviting friends: please ask your hosts before

you invite friends to your homestay. Also,

please do not expect your hosts to serve

meals to your friends.

Telephone: you can telephone worldwide

from nearly every payphone in Munich. Please

be sure to ask your family before using their

telephone. You can also make calls from the

post office, where you pay for your call at the

end so you do not need coins or a calling card.

It is also possible to reverse the charges and

make collect calls to most countries in Europe

and the Americas. The computers in the iLabs

have Skype for the students to use out of class

hours.

Damage to host’s property: should you cause

any damage to your host’s property, please

inform them immediately and settle the matter

with them. EF cannot assume responsibility for

any damage caused by students but may take

the role of mediator if necessary.

Host family problems: should you feel unhap-

py in your host family, please try to discuss any

problems with your hosts. You may suffer from

“Culture Shock” because the Germans may

do things differently from what you are used

to. However, if you do have serious problems

and are still unhappy after the first week, you

should contact the EF staff who will help you

6 Munich, Germany

to find a solution. This may mean moving to a

new homestay, which is a last resort. It is very

unlikely that this situation will arise since our

homestays are selected with great care.

Changing homestays: Should you wish

to change to another homestay during the

course, you must give the EF staff at least

seven days notice. Failure to respect this will

result in you being charged a penalty.

Meals: All students will have breakfast and

dinner with their hosts at their set dinner time.

Meals will only be provided when you are home

to participate. Please be sure to call your hosts

if you are going to be late or if you are not going

to be home for a meal. There will be no refund

for meals not taken at home with your family.

If you cannot eat certain foods, please inform

your family at the earliest possible time. You are

responsible for buying your own lunch during the

week. Please note: you will not be able to use

your host’s kitchen or your room for cooking.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The currency in Germany is the Euro. The

symbol for this currency is €. The euro is

divided into 100 cents (sometimes referred to

as euro-cents, especially when distinguishing

them from other currencies).

Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10,

€20, €50, €100. They are of different colors to

allow you to tell them apart more easily. Coins

come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c,

50c, €1, €2.

Spending Money

For travelling, shopping and meals out during

your stay in Germany, we recommend that you

budget 400€ per month (excluding excursions)

depending on your spending habits and leisure

activities. Depending on the location of many

host families, you may need to budget approxi-

mately 20€ per week to cover transportation

costs to and from the school.

Banking

You are encouraged to open a bank account at

the start of your course, the school staff will be

on hand to help you. After the introduction of

the Euro only a few banks in the centre of the

city still have a Geldwechsel (money exchange)

counter and the EF school does not exchange

money. Traveller’cheques are only accepted by

certain banks in the centre of Munich. Please

give the bank account details to your parents

or sponsors, as it will be very useful in case

you need money to be sent to you.

Wiring Money

Wiring money internationally takes five working

days. In case of emergency, the Western Union

Service is a simple and quick (ten minutes to 24

hours) method for receiving money. In order to

use this service your parents/guardians must

be American Express card holders. They may

send money from their American Express office.

There will be an approximate 10% commission

fee. You can collect the money from the Ameri-

can Express Office in Munich upon presentation

of your passport.

Credit cards

We strongly recommend 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 just cash or traveller’s cheques.

9. Telephone, fax & InternetTelephone service

When making calls to Germany from abroad,

you must first dial the applicable international

access code, the country code (49 for Ger-

many) and omit the ‘0’ from the city code.

You can telephone worldwide from nearly every

payphone in Munich. Most public payphones

in Munich are now cardphones, although there

are still some coin phones. There is a mini-

mum charge of 20 cents which covers up to 3

minutes during the day, and up to 6 minutes at

night. Phone cards are available in credit values

of 10 € and are sold at the EF School, the post

office, kiosks and also in some supermarkets.

You can also make calls from the post office,

where you pay for your call at the end so you

do not need coins or a calling card. It is also

possible to reverse the charges and make col-

lect calls to most countries in Europe and the

Americas. To call abroad you need to dial 00

plus the code for your country followed by the

telephone number you wish to call. Remember

that if you make any calls from your host fam-

ily‘s telephone, you should always ask them

first and you should call collect.

Mobile phones

When using your mobile phone from home

in Germany you should note that you will be

charged double due to international roaming

rates. Most students find that it is useful to

buy a German mobile phone with a prepaid

chip. If you already have a prepaid compatible

phone you may be able to purchase a German

prepaid chip for that phone.

How to dial

❚ Local calls: Dial the 5 to 8 digit number (no

area code)

❚ Long distance calls within Germany: Dial 0 +

Area Code + Phone Number

❚ Long distance calls outside Germany: Dial 00

+ Country Code + Phone Number

❚ Collect calls can be made to most countries

from Germany. Details will be given to you at

the school.

❚ Any telephone number with (130) or (800) for

an area code is a toll-free number and you

need to dial 0130 to get through. The call

does not cost you anything.

❚ Any telephone number beginning with an

area code of (190) or (180) incurs additional

cost to the caller for the connection.

Emergency numbers

In case of emergency you should dial the

following for:

❚ Police 110

❚ Fire department/Ambulance 112

Fax

Students may receive and send faxes using

the school fax number, which is: +49 89 23 11

90 59. There is no charge for receiving faxes.

The cost for sending faxes is:

❚ Per half page: 2€

❚ Per full page: 4€

The post office also has a fax service, but it is

much more expensive, at 5€ to 14€ per page

depending on the destination.

Internet access

The school has a computer lab complete

with Internet access. You will have access to

the student computers for language learn-

ing. Students will also have access to the

computers outside of the class timetable; a

schedule of open hours will be available at the

school. Wireless Internet access is available in

7 Munich, Germany

the entire school. We encourage students to

bring their own laptops for use on the wireless

network. Please note: due to virus protection

and capacity issues, students will not have

the capability to install hardware or special

software onto the EF computer lab comput-

ers. Germany has rigid laws on illegal software,

music and movie downloads which are often

traced and result in costly fines. If you bring

along a notebook you may purchase a stick

which allows you access to wireless.

10. Health Care & InsuranceWe recommend very strongly that you take

out a fully comprehensive health insurance

policy before leaving for Munich. An insurance

policy specifically geared to cover you in case

of illness or injury while away from your home

country is available through your local EF

office, see the section below regarding Erika

Travel Insurance.

If you have any health problems during your

stay, please alert your homestay hosts or the

EF staff at the school, any of whom can put

you in touch with a doctor.

If you do have to see a doctor during your stay,

you should:

❚ Keep copies of all bills

❚ Keep all prescriptions or copies of prescriptions

❚ Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you

have purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms

available upon request at the school).

Mutual health insurance agreement

The students from the following countries have

a mutual health insurance agreement with

Germany: Austria, Israel, Poland, Belgium, Italy,

Portugal, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Spain, Fin-

land, Luxemburg, Sweden, France, Morocco,

Switzerland, Greece, Netherlands, Tunisia,

Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom and Former

Yugoslavia.

We recommend that students ask their health

insurance in their home country for an E

-111, -106 or -109 form, which also acts as

proof of valid health coverage required for

students staying in Germany for more than

three months. In case of an illness or medical

emergency, the form can be exchanged into

a German “Krankenschein” which permits

students to have free care from both doctors

and hospitals.

Even students from the above countries should

consider purchasing a supplementary insurance,

since the German “Krankenschein” covers them

only for basic treatment by the first available doc-

tor. A supplementary private insurance like Erika

Travel Insurance entitles the student to a wider

choice of treatments and doctors, health services

available to them more quickly, and preferential

conditions for hospital stays.

Students from all other countries staying in

Germany for more than three months, need a

health insurance with UNLIMITED coverage in

order to obtain a visa for Munich. It is very im-

portant to bring with you a translation of your

insurance policy into German or English (if you

purchase Erika Travel Insurance through EF we

can provide this for you). Any policies without

UNLIMITED coverage will not be accepted

by the local authorities, so it is essential to be

certain of your coverage prior to coming to

Germany. Otherwise, it can be very costly for

you to purchase additional obligatory insurance

after your arrival.

Third Party Liability Insurance

Please make sure that you have third party li-

ability insurance. Particularly for Academic Year

students, this is a condition for obtaining your

visa for the local authorities. Please inquire with

your EF office prior to departure, as this type

of coverage may already be included in your

policy if you have purchased student travel

insurance through EF.

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 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 of 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 German in real situations

and familiarize yourself with the German culture.

You will have the chance to take part in a

comprehensive programme of sports, activities

and excursions. Activities provide an ideal

opportunity to meet and make friends with

other students from all over the world; they are

organised by the school at minimum cost to

the student. A sample activity programme for a

typical week is introduced below.

Excursions

Throughout the course, excursions are

organised to cities of historical and cultural

interest. Half-day excursions, for instance,

Chateau Oberschleissheim, Dachau, the Up-

per Bavarian lakes cost about 8-10€; full-day

8 Munich, Germany

excursions, for example, Salzburg, Nürnberg,

Neuschwanstein Castle, will cost between 15-

25€. There are also organised weekend trips

to for instance: Paris, Berlin, Venice, Prague,

Heidelberg, Zurich, Vienna etc.

These trips are a great way to get together

and discover Europe. You are advised to bring

enough money to cover these excursions if

you are planning to participate.

The school also offers a wide range of activi-

ties in Munich; visits to the BMW World, to art

museums, to the Olympic Park, activities and

sports in the Englischer Garten, bike tours,

beer and wine tastings, dancing, music eve-

nings, movie nights, parties and much more.

Apart from organised excursions, the school

will help you to arrange special trips that are

not included in the general programme of

events according to your interests and wishes.

Typical activity programme

Monday

❚ Guided Tour through the city of Munich. (Free

of charge)

Tuesday

❚ Stammtisch in the Hofbräuhaus for Wine

Tasting: Rhine, Moselle and Bavarian Wines.

Wednesday

❚ Guided Tour to Chateau Nymphenburg or

a guided Tour of the Alte Pinakothek. (Pay

entrance fee)

Thursday

❚ Group event such as sports or possibly a

fancy dress party. (Free of charge)

Friday

❚ Guided tour to the concentration camp of

Dachau. (S-Bahn costs up to 7€, admission

is free)

Saturday

❚ Full day bus excursion to Prague or Vienna.

(Price: 40€)

Sunday

❚ Bus excursion to Castle Neuschwanstein or

to Salzburg in Austria. (Price: 26€)

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The EF International Language Center is in

the heart of Munich only 10 minutes by foot to

Marienplatz. There is an excellent and compre-

hensive network of U-Bahn, S-Bahn, streetcar

and bus routes. They will take you safely and

inexpensively to all parts of the city and its sur-

roundings. EF can give you all the necessary

information regarding weekly and monthly travel

passes upon arrival.

Bicycles

Bicycle rental costs approximately 2.50€ /

hour, 7.50€/day and 25 €/week. Students who

travel from their home country by train may

want to bring their bicycle with them, which

is highly recommended and very economical.

If you intend to bring a bicycle, please check

in advance with your homestay hosts. The EF

school has descriptions of bicycle tours avail-

able in and around Munich.

Car rental

If you wish to be more independent, you can

hire a car. Various rental agencies are located

near the railway station and at the airport.

Rental costs are approximately 35€ /day plus

0.25 cents /km, or 70€ including mileage for

the weekend. In order to rent a car in Germany,

you must be at least 21 years old and should

be in possession of a credit card. Only people

officially registered with the car hire company

are permitted to drive the car. Please note: We

do not recommend bringing a car with you to

Munich since you will probably spend most of

your time looking for a parking space!

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a

new experience. We understand that everyone

has their own individual beliefs and anticipations,

however we ask you to come with an open mind.

What you can expect from EF:

❚ Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

❚ An academic program which combines language,

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 per term 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 German at all times.

❚ To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of

your host country, state, campus and school.

❚ In accordance with immigration regula-

tions, non-EC students may not accept paid

employment

❚ If you leave the programme during the course

of the year, EF International Language Cen-

ters have the right to revoke your student visa

and advise you to return home

❚ You must notify the School Director and your

homestay hosts if you plan to travel inde-

pendently of EF and/or if you will be away

overnight.

❚ You must abide by all rules listed in the host

family contract (where applicable) As repre-

sentatives of your country, community and

school, the highest standards of responsibility

and behaviour are expected

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 maximum one hour

by public transportation. All transportation

costs are your responsibility.

Rules and regulations

You will be required to abide by all local and

national laws as well as any rules of the EF

school. Violation of these rules will lead to a

verbal warning and possible disciplinary ac-

tion by the School Director. Any student who

9 Munich, Germany

ignores a verbal warning will be given a formal

written warning, a copy of which will be sent,

where appropriate, to parent/guardian. Any

further breaches of the rules may be followed

by your expulsion from the programme. In the

case of serious misbehaviour, you will have

to return to your home country at your own

expense. You will be required to sign a copy of

these rules prior to your departure. The rules

will be explained again at orientation.

National laws

❚ Everyone must carry identification at all times.

❚ Drinking and purchase of hard liquor is pro-

hibited under the age of 18.

❚ Under the current visa legislation, non-EC

students are not permitted to be employed in

Germany.

❚ People under the age of 16 may not enter

night clubs. Those under 18 may enter night

clubs but must leave before midnight.

Remember that you are legally governed by

the laws of Germany. If you break these laws,

your consulate cannot offer you free legal as-

sistance or bail you out of jail.

14. German culture & living tipsLike any country, Germany has its fill of cultural

nuances which are different than what you

are used to and will take some adjusting to.

The best way to cope with culture shock of

this kind is to arrive in Germany as informed

as possible and to have an open-mind. Read

travel books and talk to people in your country

who have travelled to Germany. The EF staff

in Munich will provide an orientation to life in

Germany upon arrival. Here are some hints

and practical information to remember.

Passport and Visa Issues

All non-EC students must apply for a six/nine

month student visa in advance in their home

country. You must do this as soon as you receive

the acceptance letter from the school as the

procedure can sometimes take a few months.

Please don’t come with a three month tourist visa

as you may have to leave the country definitively

after three months. Unfortunately, German author-

ities are very strict in this matter, and there is little

EF can do to help you once you are in Germany.

To apply for a visa at your local German embassy

or consulate, you will need:

❚ a valid passport

❚ the school’s acceptance letter

❚ proof that you have sufficient money to support

yourself for your entire stay (preferably a current

bank statement or alternatively a declaration

from your parents).

❚ proof of medical insurance with unlimited cover-

age (we recommend that you take out the EF

insurance whose coverage is recognised as

sufficient by the German authorities).

If you choose to purchase your own insur-

ance, then we strongly advise students from

non-EC countries to have a copy translated

into German. Once you have arrived in Munich

with your visa in order, you will have to register

with the local authorities. The school staff will

provide you with the necessary information to

register.

Identity Card (Ausweis)

According to German law, a form of identifica-

tion must be carried at all times. EF students

will receive a student card issued to them by

the school. However, this card does not work

as a legal identity card with authorities.

Alcohol Consumption & Nightclubs

You must be 16 years old in Germany to

consume alcohol, many night clubs are only

open to people aged 18 years and older.

Young people under 18 are not allowed to

drink hard liquor, frequent bars, night clubs or

other places where their “moral safety is en-

dangered”. You will have to show identification

proving your age if you are frequenting 18+

clubs. The police check these establishments

on a regular basis. Germany also has strong

laws against driving under the influence of

alcohol. Should you be stopped by the police

for being over the legal limit, you will risk heavy

fines, confiscation of your driving license and

potentially a prison sentence.

Smoking

It is no longer “cool” to smoke in Germany. In past

years, people have become increasingly health-

conscious. Laws have been passed to prohibit

smoking on public transportation transportation

and in restaurants. In the school smoking is not

allowed and most host families will not allow that

you smoke inside.

Appliances

Electric outlets in Germany have a 220 voltage

and use round two-pin plugs. You will need to

buy an adapter for electrical appliances that

you bring if the voltage and/or plugs do not

match the ones in your home country.

Business Hours

The hours during which stores are open in

Germany are a little shorter than in most other

countries. Most large stores remain open

Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 20.00. Small

retail stores may close at 18.00. On Sunday all

shops are closed with the exception of petrol

stations and a few shops around the central

station area.

Mail

The mail service in Germany is fairly reliable.

For best service, make sure to write the com-

plete address, including a return address on

the envelope.

Post offices are usually open on weekdays

from 08.00 to 17.30 and on Saturdays from

08.00 to 12.00. Post offices are always closed

on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Mail boxes are

yellow and the current rates of postage are:

❚ Standard letter within Germany: 0.55€

❚ Standard letter within the European Com-

munity (EC): 0.70€

❚ Standard letter mailed internationally from

Germany: 1.70€

❚ Standard postcard within Germany: 0.45€

❚ Standard postcard mailed within the EU: 65€

❚ Standard postcard mailed internationally from

Germany: 1.0€

Recommended reading

❚ München für Zugereiste by Harald Hordych

and Jörg Buschmann (Emons 2004)

❚ Gebrauchsanweisung für München by

Thomas Grasberger (Piper 2002)

❚ MARCO POLO Reiseführer München mit

Szene-Guide, 24h Action pur, Insider-Tipps

❚ Über die Deutschen: Eine kleine Kulturge-

schichte by Alexander Demandt (Propyläen

2007)

❚ Getting along with the Germans by Bob

Larson, Richard Kurman (1983)

❚ 1000 Gründe in Deutschland zu reisen:

Das sollten Sie gesehen haben! by Christian

Maiwurm (Moewig 2007)

Useful websites

❚ www.munich-tourist.de/english

10 Munich, Germany

Facts about Munich, descriptions of places

of interest

❚ www.bahn.de

German railways, timetables, special offers

❚ www.mvv-muenchen.de

Munich’s public transportation system

❚ www.virtual-munich.de

Virtual walk through the main shopping

district

❚ www.muenchen-panorama.de

360 degree panorama of Munich

❚ www.muenchenticket.de

Tickets available on-line for top events in

Munich

❚ www.freizeittip.de

Major events coming up in Munich

❚ www.skigebiet.de

Skiing areas around Munich

❚ www.dw-world.de

Plenty of listening comprehension

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

students who have come together to learn

German. 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 coun-

try 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 Germany.

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 experi-

ence periods of fatigue and discomfort when

you are uncomfortable. Culture shock is what

sometimes happens when we try to meet chal-

lenges of our new culture by using the values,

beliefs, and attitudes of our own culture. As

visitors to a new culture, we must learn that

cultural differences are merely different - not

right or wrong.

It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from

your culture to share with other students and

your host to teach them about your country.

Tips on coping with change

Remember that change does not come with-

out some effort! We humans need a certain

amount of stress to motivate us to learn new

ways of being. Learning always involves some

form of change. You should try the following:

❚ While you might be tempted to surround

yourself with things that are familiar to you, try

not to isolate yourself by being only with others

from your home country. Keep reaching out to

your host, roommates and other students.

❚ Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.

EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

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

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak German 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

Important telephone numbers

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.

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).

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: 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. Holidays will be compensated

by extra lessons during the same week.”

School holidays

The EF International Language Center in Ger-

many recognizes the following public holidays

when there will be no classes. The school will be

closed and teaching will not be made-up. 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

6 January - Three Kings Day

6 April - Karfreitag (Good Friday)*

9 April - Osternmontag (Easter Monday)

1 May - Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day)

17 May - Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day)

28 May - Pfingstmontag (Pentecost Monday)

7 June - Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi)*

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - St Stephens Day

3 October - Tag der Deutschen Einheit

2013

1 January - New Year

6 January - Three Kings Day

29 March - Karfreitag (Good Friday)*

1 April - Osternmontag (Easter Monday)

1 May - Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day)

9 May - Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day)

20 May - Pfingstmontag (Pentecost Monday)

30 May - Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi)*

3 October - Tag der Deutschen Einheit

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - St Stephens Day

*Holidays will be compensated by extra lessons

during the same week.

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

Germany but you must keep it and your

other documents in a safe place while you

are in the country.

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

■ 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 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:

+49 89 23 11 90 50________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+49 173 73258 79________________________________________