Santa BarbaraGolden beaches, a stunning mountain backdrop and

beautiful Spanish-style architecture combine to make

Santa Barbara central California’s coastal jewel.

The EF school is ideally located in the city’s chic

shopping district.

Contact details:1421 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101, USATel: +(1) 805 962 8680Emergency number: +(1) 805 708 2623

Accreditations and Memberships

The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,

Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol

and Bournemouth are:

EF Dublin is accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers

in the USA are members of:

The EF Internation-al Language Cent-

ers in the USA are accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in

Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:

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

Etrangère.

EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.

All EF Courses are certified by Southern

New Hampshire University.

EF Education is an active participant in

the Comité Européen de Normalisation.

The EF International Language Centers

in Brisbane and Perth are mem-

bers of:

The EF International Language Centers in

Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are

accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,

Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bourne-mouth are members of:

All EF Courses are recog-nized by Hult International

Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.com

EF Santa Barbara

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

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFSantaBarbara

Section .....Topic

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

2 .......... Welcome to the US

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 ........ US culture & living tips

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

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

17 ........ Checklist

Contents - Santa Barbara

Dear Student

Hello! Thank you for choosing our school for your

studies. I am privileged to be the director of this

quaint yet amazingly impressive school.

Our beautiful and well-manicured campus bathed in

sunshine and nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara,

as well as our loyal and dedicated staff, make EF

Santa Barbara a special place to learn.

From surfing and beach parties, to hiking and camp-

ing, or traveling a short distance to ski or snowboard,

Santa Barbara offers the best of many worlds from

which to choose. At EF Santa Barbara, you will be

exposed to the local culture and people and you will-

find a supportive, friendly and fun environment.

The school staff and I look forward to meeting you

soon and helping you make the most of your time in

the United States.

Best wishes,

Carsten Knobloch, School Director

EF International Language Center,

Santa Barbara

3 Santa Barbara, USA

2. Welcome to Santa Barbara, USAThe resort community of Santa Barbara

(population 130,000) stretches along the Pacific

Ocean, backed by the Santa Ynez Moun-

tains. With its palm-lined sandy beaches and

Mediterranean-style architecture, the city at-

tracts thousands of tourists every year. Besides

regular vacationers who flock to Santa Barbara

to enjoy its beautiful climate and culture, movie

stars and other celebrities have moved away

from the posh areas around Los Angeles to the

serenity of Santa Barbara. In fact, Santa Bar-

bara was recognized as a hot spot for film stars

long before Los Angeles and reigned as the first

Californian home to movie-making and picture

studios, several years before Hollywood.

Like the rest of California, Santa Barbara’s

history has been strongly influenced by the pres-

ence of the Spanish explorers. The Chumash

Indians prospered on the land until 1782 when

Father Junipero Serra, and other Spanish explor-

ers, claimed the area as a Spanish colony. These

early years under Spanish rule have left their

mark on Santa Barbara, with its street names in

Spanish, red-tile roofs and stucco houses.

3. Weather WatchLocated just 92 miles north of Los Ange-

les, Santa Barbara enjoys a mild and sunny

climate. Many days begin under an ocean fog,

which hangs in front of the mountains until the

afternoon sun burns it away. By 1 pm, most

days are bright and sunny. The air is dry with a

humidity of 40-60% on average. Winter months

can be wet and rainy, so warm clothing and

an umbrella are necessary. The average rainfall

is 18 inches and falls mostly in December,

January and February. 84% of the days per

year have sunshine - truly a place to enjoy the

Southern Californian lifestyle!

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 13° to 22°C (55° to 72°F)

Summer: 13° to 22°C (55° to 72°F)

Autumn: 13° to 22°C (55° to 72°F)

Winter: 8° to 20°C (46° to 68°F)

4. Travel & transfer serviceTransfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can

be confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer

service from the airport to your homestay 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, e.g. airline, flight number,

date and time.

Arriving into Los Angeles

International Airport (LAX)

An EF representative wearing either an EF shirt

or carrying an EF sign will greet you outside US

customs and immigration (international flights)

or at the baggage claim (domestic flights). The

greeter will bring you to the shuttle van that will

transport you comfortably to your homestay in

Santa Barbara. The drive will take about

2-3 hours.

If you cannot find the EF Greeter at the airport,

please call the EF Emergency number that will

be given to you before your departure by your

EF office. An EF staff member will assist you

when you call this number.

Arriving into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)

For convenience, we recommend you book

your flight directly into SBA, which is very small,

easy to navigate and very convenient for locat-

ing passengers. When you get off the plane,

someone will meet you at the baggage claim

area. If you do not locate the EF Greeter, call

the EF emergency number that will be given to

you before your departure by your EF office.

Independent Travel

If you don’t use the EF Transfer service

described above, you should arrive at your

homestay between 12 noon and 10 pm. You

can make your own reservation with the Road

Runner transfer service 1-800-247-79-19 or

on the Santa Barbara Airbus 1-805-964-7759

from outside the USA, or 1-800-423-1618 from

inside the USA. We do not recommend waiting

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 Santa Barbara, USA

until you land to book a reservation, as their

buses often fill up during peak season and they

may not have a seat for you upon arrival.

Current fares are:

z Road Runner is $90 or more, door to

door service

z Airbus is $44 (with a reservation made at

least 24 hours in advance) or $46 (if reserved

at short notice), one-way from LAX, three dif-

ferent bus stops in Santa Barbara

Meet both buses outside the terminal at the

Green signs stating, “Buses and Long-Dis-

tance Vans.”

If flying into SBA or when you get off the airbus

in Santa Barbara, we recommend using a local

taxi service to get to your homestay. This will

cost approximately $35 - $45, depending on

where you live.

Even if you are not using the EF Transfer

Service, you must give your travel information

to your EF Representative at least two weeks

prior to your trip. She or he will pass that infor-

mation along to our school so that we may tell

your homestay hosts when to expect you.

A taxi from LAX to Santa Barbara starts at

$250 and is not recommended due to the

enormous expense. Greyhound Bus and

Amtrak Train also serve Santa Barbara

(twice daily).

5. School InformationThe EF International School of English is

conveniently located in the center of town, just

one block from State Street, lined with shops,

restaurants and theaters. A very competent

staff of teachers and an Academic Director are

available to assist you. Also available to assist

are a Housing Coordinator, Administrative Co-

ordinator, and Activities Coordinator. In order to

help you during your stay in the United States,

EF staff and teachers will be available to you as

a resource in case you have any problems

or questions.

Housed in Spanish-style buildings with an

outdoor patio, the school has an iLab (language

lab), computer lab, a student lounge with

wireless Internet access and an activities area.

The computer lab is also available for email,

Internet and general computer use during open

access times. Classrooms and a lecture hall are

located inside the two buildings occupied by EF.

There is an outdoor area where students can

play basketball, badminton and ping-pong and

also a games room where students can play

pool and foosball.

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 lan-

guage level. You may speak with your teacher

if you feel you have been placed into the wrong

level. Please note: you may have both morning

and afternoon classes depending on the time

of year and course type.

Orientation

When you arrive at the school you will take

the EF Level Placement test, if you have not

done so already. 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.

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.

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. It is

important to note that 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.

US immigration regulations require you to at-

tend 80% of all your classes. EF is required to

report students who fail to maintain this 80%

average to US Immigration Authorities. Conse-

quently, students with low attendance may be

asked to leave the program and return to their

home country.

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 during

the course. Assessment is based on atten-

dance, participation, attitude & performance.

Course books

As part of your academic program, you’ll be

expected to buy the books and classroom

materials that you will use in class. The exact

number of books that you’ll need is determined

by your academic level, progress and choice of

special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-

ditional books you may need more money. The

books you buy are yours to keep, write in and

take home with you for future reference.

iLab Learning

All English language school courses include six

iLab sessions per week. iLab sessions comple-

ment and reinforce classroom learning in an inter-

5 Santa Barbara, USA

active online learning environment. Please note:

iLab is not included in the EF Basic Course.

Exams

You may enroll for several different public

examinations during your course. Some can

be taken at the school itself, others must be

taken at an external examination center and

booked several months in advance. Please

note: you will be responsible for the cost of all

exam registration fees, which cannot be paid

at the sales office.

Lending library and public library

EF has a small lending library of popular read-

ing books and resource materials for your use.

The Santa Barbara Public Library is accessible

to all EF students and is an easy five-minute

walk from the school.

Santa Barbara City College Courses

Students meeting specific requirements will be

allowed to enroll in one course at Santa Bar-

bara City College (SBCC). Course choices will

be limited to those selected by SBCC and EF.

To pass the SBCC assessment test, students

will need to be at least 18 years of age or able

to show proof of having graduated from high

school and have at least 80% EF class at-

tendance. Further details will be available at EF

upon arrival. The cost of these classes is not

included in the cost of your EF course.

EF University Placement Service

EF International Language Centers offer a Uni-

versity Placement Service (UPS) that provides

guaranteed admission into a university or col-

lege for qualified students. If you are interested

in continuing your studies, you are encouraged

to talk with the University Pathways Manager

at your school.

University Transfer Credit

Through our partnership with Southern New

Hampshire University (SNHU), EF students

may be eligible to receive university credit for

their coursework.

7. Accommodation & MealsTropicana Villas are located in the student

district of Isla Vista, approximately 25 minutes

from downtown Santa Barbara by a direct bus.

The residence offers a pool, game room, and a

dining commons where students can purchase

meals.

Each student apartment has 2 triple/quad

bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The kitchen offers

a gas stove, oven, microwave, and refrigera-

tor. June-August, the stove and oven are not

available to use. Only from September-June

do students have full access to the oven and

stove. However, there is a communal kitchen

located walking distance. Kitchen utensils,

cookware and kitchen dishes are not included.

Other items such as soap, paper towels, and

sponges are also not included.

From September-June, no meals are provided,

but students are encouraged to purchase meal

cards at the nearby cafeteria (only 5 minutes

walking). Mid-June-August, this residence

includes half board Monday-Friday.

Cleaning is provided every 2 weeks, but

students are responsible for keeping the apart-

ment clean on their own. Students must also

purchase their own toilet paper.

Housing deposit

During the orientation meeting on the first day

of the program, you will be asked to pay a $100

deposit. This will be refunded to you at the end

of your program, unless there are any charges

for damage to the school or homestay.

Homestay

Most students will be staying in carefully

selected EF homestays. A homestay is simply

a bed and shared bathroom in an American

home in the greater Santa Barbara area.

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.

Bed linen will be provided, but you will be re-

sponsible for cleaning your own room and do-

ing your laundry. If your hosts prefer, you may

be required to take your laundry to a nearby

Laundromat for washing. Often your hosts may

ask you to help with household chores. Most

hosts only allow smoking outside the house.

All long-distance and international phone calls

made from the host home must be collect

calls, charged to the person you are calling,

or charged to a telephone card which can be

purchased at the EF Activities Department. You

are responsible for all phone calls made from

the host home. You should leave some money

upon your departure if you know you have

outstanding phone charges on the next bill.

If you have any concerns regarding your home-

stay, it is important that you talk to the Housing

Coordinator who is available to help you settle

in as soon as possible. Please remember that

the first few weeks will be a period of adjust-

ment. Be patient, talk to your host family, and

speak with the Housing Coordinator if you

have questions or concerns.

Homestay Villas

This accommodation is more independent

6 Santa Barbara, USA

than a traditional host family and appropriate

for mature and open-minded EF students. At

least one adult host lives in the same building

to ensure a smooth daily life and basic supervi-

sion. Every homeshare is a little bit different,

but all houses share the following facts:

-Triple/Quad rooms only (no single or twin bed

rooms)

-Bedrooms are basic and simple, but students

can use living room, kitchen, patio or garden

- Students share a minimum of 2 bathrooms

per Homeshare

-We cannot guarantee you will be the only

speaker of your mother tongue

-Average transfer time to school by bus 25 to

45 min

-Independent & international instead of typical

family life

-Students should follow the house rules and

keep their rooms clean

Meals:

Breakfast and dinner from Monday – Friday

(light breakfast, students can sign up if they

will be present for dinner or can heat up their

portion).

On weekends, it’s self-service: Students can

help themselves from the refrigerator and/or

heat up a frozen meal for lunch/dinner.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The dollar is the basic monetary unit in the U.S.

1 dollar = 100 cents

1 cent = $.01 “penny” (100 pennies = $1)

5 cents = $.05 “nickel” (20 nickels = $1)

10 cents = $.10 “dime” (10 dimes = $1)

25 cents = $.25 “quarter” (4 quarters = $1)

Paper currency comes in denominations

(values) of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. All

the paper currency is the same size and color,

so be careful when you pay!

Banking

During orientation, the EF staff will be on hand

to help you open a bank account with a local

bank. Depending on your needs, you can have

a checking or savings account or both. These

types of accounts allow you to have a 24-hour

ATM card. We recommend that you bring ap-

proximately $100 in cash for expenses upon

arrival and the rest of your spending money in

traveler’s checks.

General expenses

For traveling, shopping and eating in restau-

rants during your visit to California, we recom-

mend that you budget from $350 – $500 per

month (excluding excursions). Because of the

location of many homestays, you should bud-

get approximately $15 per week for transpor-

tation costs, to and from the school.

You will also need to take money for learning

materials used in class and for any language

proficiency exams you plan to take.

Credit cards

We strongly recommend that students travel with

either a Visa or Master Card. Credit cards enable

you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms and do

various activities which may be more difficult with

cash or traveler’s checks.

9. Phones, faxes & InternetTelephone

Payphones are available on campus. You may

choose to purchase a telephone card to make

your calls or use change. We recommend that

students expecting to stay for a long period of

time come with, or purchase a mobile phone.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct busi-

ness. You can send and receive faxes from this

machine for a small fee, although you are encour-

aged to limit the use.

Internet

Students may bring their laptops and are able

to use the free wireless Internet access in the

student lounge area. There is also an available

computer lab for email, Internet and general

computer use during open access times.

10. Health Care & InsuranceOff campus

There are medical clinics and hospitals near the

school that the EF staff can recommend to you if

you need medical attention. You will need to pay

immediately in cash, traveler’s checks, or with a

credit card for any medical service. Please ask EF

staff or your homestay hosts for assistance if you

need medical attention.

Immunizations

EF requires that all students attending an EF

school in the U.S. carry proof that he or she has

been immunized against measles I and II, polio,

TBC, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus.

Please note - it is not sufficient to have had the

diseases as a child. If you do not bring this docu-

mentation with you, you will be required upon

arrival at the school to obtain the immunizations

in hospital. The cost to students is approximately

$70 (this amount is not covered by insurance).

Insurance

Students are required to have medical & accident

insurance upon starting their program in the USA.

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

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 & ExcursionsActivity program

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regular

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

end excursions to area attractions. The cost of

these trips is not included in the tuition.

Weekly activities

There is a weekly program of activities orga-

nized by the school, such as parties, dance

clubs, and beach barbecues at a minimal cost.

7 Santa Barbara, USA

The Activities Coordinator will also coordinate

sports, games, and tournaments, based on

student interest and participation.

Weekend excursions

The number and destination of trips depend

upon the time of year and the interests of the

students. Payment can be made by cash, credit

card or traveler’s checks. The following prices

are an estimate to help you plan your trip. Exact

information will be available at the school.

Sample excursions/approximate price:

z Whale Watching $10

z Cruise to Channel Islands $90

z Disneyland, Universal Studios $300

z San Francisco (2 nights) $300

z Las Vegas (2 nights) $250

z Las Vegas & Grand Canyon $490

z LA City Tour & Six Flags $240

Prices include transportation. Hotel accommo-

dation is included for overnight trips. All prices

are subject to change without notice and

depend on seasonal availability.

Sport facilities

You will be able to rent sports equipment at the

following approximate rates:

z Skates/Roller Blades: $10 per day

z Bicycles: $30 per day

z Surf Boards: $40 per day with wetsuit rental

z Sailboats: $60 per hour

z Horseback Riding: $250 per day

z Gym: $52 per month

z Public tennis courts and the Los Banos

swimming pool are available year-round at a

low cost.

EF Activities staff will be happy to point out the

miles of bike paths and jogging lanes around

the city, as well as the dozens of hiking trails

along the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains

located near the city.

Winter and spring break excursions

All schools have several trips planned for the

long-term students who have a winter and

spring break as part of their course schedule.

Possible destinations include Hawaii, skiing in

Lake Tahoe, an East Coast tour (Boston, New

York, Washington D.C.) and a West Coast tour

(San Francisco and Los Angeles). A week-long

trip, for example, to Hawaii will cost approxi-

mately $900. This includes hotel and airfare.

More information will be available

during orientation.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The EF campus is located within walking

distance of the main downtown bus station.

A bus ride costs $1.10. We advise you to

purchase bus tokens or passes (10 rides for

$10) so that you are not always hunting for

change to use the bus. You may purchase

passes at the school or at local grocery stores.

Santa Barbara has an extensive bus system,

ranging from Goleta, through Santa Barbara,

and down to Carpinteria. Goleta and Carpin-

teria are neighboring towns of Santa Barbara

and it is not uncommon for our students to

have homestays in these communities due to

their large residential population. A bus ride

from these areas will be one hour at the most.

It is considered quite normal for local Santa

Barbarans to travel 30-60 minutes to arrive at

their destination by bus. Bus service is limited

in the evenings and on weekends.

Taxis

Because public transportation is limited in the

evenings, it is sometimes necessary to take

taxis. Taxi rides to most host families from

downtown cost between $15 and $50. We

encourage students to share taxis to help keep

the cost down.

Bicycles (“bikes”)

Biking around Santa Barbara is easy, safe, and

very convenient. Many students decide to buy

bikes for their stay in Santa Barbara. If you

would like to purchase or rent a bike, EF staff will

assist you. There are two bicycle-parking areas

at the school. Be aware that you must always

lock your bike to a bike rack or a pole, in order

to prevent it from being stolen. Bicycle theft is

fairly common and you must be very cautious

when leaving your bike unattended. If your bike

is stolen, whether it is yours or a rental, you will

be fully responsible for the cost of the bike.

Car rentals

Distances between attractions are very great

in California and public transportation is not as

developed as in other parts of the US, or as in

other countries. Many students choose to rent

a car for some time during their stay in order to

take advantage of those sights just out of reach

by public transportation. The approximate cost

for renting a car per day is $20-$40 or $500 per

month. You must also be prepared to buy insur-

ance for your rented car, which typically costs

$10 per day and $225 per month.

Most rental agencies require that you are 21

years or older to rent a car. You must have a

credit card, and a driver’s license from your

country. All drivers must be on the rental agree-

ment. International Driver Licenses are not

accepted in California. If you don’t have a credit

card, some agencies will allow you to leave a

deposit of $400-$900 to secure a rental car.

You can either make your own arrangements

or ask the EF Activities Coordinator for help.

Another alternative is to make your arrange-

ments before you leave home. Sometimes it is

less expensive to contact an international rental

car company in your home country and get a

special “Visit USA” package deal.

Buying a car

Many previous students have recommended

that future students buy a car for the dura-

tion of the program. If you plan to buy a car,

you should budget between $1000-$6000,

depending on the make and year of the car

you intend to buy. You should also plan on

spending 7.75% state - use tax, in addition to

the cost of the car. You must also purchase in-

surance to register a car and pay annual state

inspection, and registration fees.

You must have a social security number, pass

a written and driving exam, and pay a fee, to

obtain a Californian license. This process will take

at least three weeks. You must buy car insurance

to drive a rented car or own a car in the U.S.

Student automobiles are not allowed in the

EF campus parking lot. All of our homestays

are located within a reasonable distance for

students to travel to and from the school,

either by bus, or by bicycle. You may rent a car

to use in the evenings or on the weekends but

will not be allowed to park at school. In a few

instances, we will make exceptions to this rule

if space is available - any exceptions must be

approved by the Program Director, and those

students will be given special parking permits

for a fee. If you do wish to drive your car to the

8 Santa Barbara, USA

school there are a few city parking lots within

walking distance of the school where you may

park your car for a monthly fee. Ask a staff

member for assistance in locating these lots.

There is also limited parking available on the

streets near the school. Ask staff to direct you

to streets with unlimited parking.

Flights

The Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) services

the Santa Barbara area, located eight miles

north of downtown Santa Barbara. Air travel

into Santa Barbara is mostly limited to flights

coming from within California or the immediate

area. Major airlines that fly into Santa Barbara

are American Airlines, Delta and United.

Santa Barbara is also accessible from Los

Angeles International Airport (LAX). Most

domestic and many international airlines fly

into LAX; connections to Santa Barbara are

possible with the Santa Barbara Airbus. The

one-way cost of the ride from LAX to Santa

Barbara is approximately $42 to $90, and the

trip takes about three hours.

The Administrative Coordinator will help you

with all flight arrangements.

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 center with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

z Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

z An academic program combining language,

special interest, and culture-oriented classes.

z Full program of local activities and excursions

at special EF rates.

z Accommodation in either homestay or stu-

dent residence.

z All designated meals.

z EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for

Academic Year Abroad students with 80%

attendance per term and good academic

standing and academic records

z EF Course Certificate for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and

good academic standing.

z Preparation classes and/or materials for appro-

priate standardized language exams and avail-

ability of University Placement Service (UPS).

What EF expects of you:

z To develop a greater understanding of the

world around you.

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

do your best in class at all times.

z To be respectful of your homestay hosts,

your classmates, your teachers and your

community.

z To keep your room and shared areas clean.

z To speak English at all times.

z To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of

your host country, state, campus and school.

What you can expect from your homestay hosts:

z A comfortable, clean place to live.

z Prepared meals or accessibility to food to

prepare yourself according to the meal plan.

z Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transporta-

tion costs are your responsibility.

14. US Culture & living tipsFood

The multi-ethnic nature of the American culture

is perhaps best exhibited in the variety of food

enjoyed by Americans. While there are “typical”

American dishes such as steak and potatoes,

turkey with stuffing and hamburgers with

French fries, most Americans eat foods from

around the word.

Mealtimes

z Breakfast: 6am -10am

Toast, cereal, juice, coffee or tea.

z Brunch: 11am- 2pm

Combination of breakfast & lunch

Scrambled eggs, pancakes

z Lunch: 12pm-2pm

Sandwich, salad or light hot meal

z Dinner: 5pm-8pm

Largest meal of the day

Meat (beef, chicken or fish) and vegetables

Mail

Mail service is relatively inexpensive and reli-

able. For best service, be sure to write the

complete address and your return address on

the envelope.

The normal form of address in the U.S. is:

Name

Street Address, Apartment number

City, State abbreviation, Zip Code

(zip code is also called the postal code)

Alcohol

The legal age for purchase and/or consump-

tion of alcohol is 21 years-old. You will be ex-

pected to show identification - driver’s license

or passport - when purchasing alcohol in a

liquor store or bar. Many night clubs are only

open to people who are 21 years and older.

Some clubs may be open to 18 and older, but

will not allow alcohol purchase. There are also

very strict rules regarding “driving under the

influence” of alcohol.

Smoking

Over the past few years, smoking is consid-

ered more and more a health hazard to those

who smoke and those people around smok-

ers. Therefore, it has become much less toler-

ated in the U.S. compared to other countries.

If you smoke, you will be asked to do so in cer-

tain areas or most of the time, outside. Many

restaurants do not allow smoking at all unless

there is a separate room for smokers. Some

schools are completely non-smoking and most

homestay hosts will not permit smoking in

their home. While EF recognizes your right to

smoke, we kindly ask that you behave courte-

ously and follow the rules of your school.

Appliances

Electric outlets in the U.S provide a current at

117 volts, 60 cycles (Hertz). Since many other

countries operate with a voltage of 220, you

might need a transformer to operate non-

American appliances. You might also need

an adapter to change the shape of the plug,

which is either two flat prongs or three prongs

for large appliances. Hairdryers and radios can

be purchased very inexpensively in the U.S. so

it may be better to buy some appliances

upon arrival.

Tipping

People who work in the hospitality industry

in the U.S. rely on tips from customers more

so than in many other countries. Average tip

amount:

z Restaurant servers: 15-20% of bill

z Taxi drivers: 10-15%

z Salons: 20% of bill

Sales Tax

9 Santa Barbara, USA

Expect to pay 5-8% sales tax on your purchas-

es (amount and the type of item taxed varies

from state to state). Remember that a certain

percentage will be added to the net total when

you purchase something from a store or when

you pay for food and beverages in restaurants

Store hours

Store hours in the US are more liberal than in

most other countries. In general, the following

rules apply:

z Department stores and shopping malls:

Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm

Sunday 12pm to 6pm

z Supermarkets: Monday to Saturday 8am to 9pm

Sunday 9am to 7pm (some 24 hours)

z Small retail stores and grocery stores may

close every night at 6pm and may not be open

on Sunday

Recommended reading:

z Let’s Go USA (or Let’s Go Santa Barbara),

Harvard Student Agencies, Inc. Great student

travel guide for where to go, how to get

around, where to stay and what to eat.

z Don’t Know Much About History by Kenneth

C. Davis. Everything you need to know about

American history!

z Fifty Nifty States by Jerry Aten. Elemen-

tary school textbook about US Geography

recommended for students who have very

limited English skills.

z Travels with Charley and The Grapes of

Wrath by John Steinbeck. Originally from

Salinas, California, Steinbeck wrote a number

of books which capture the spirit of travel in

the United States.

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 USA. 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:

z While you might be tempted to surround

yourself with things that are familiar to you, try

not to isolate yourself by being only with others

from your home country. Keep reaching out to

your host, roommates and other students.

z Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

z Talk to us about your worries or problems. EF

Staff are here to help and would prefer to know

about any problem you may have so that we

can help you. Many EF staff members have

studied or lived abroad, so they understand

what it’s like to adjust to life in a foreign country!

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

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak English at all times.

z Remind yourself that you came to this

country to experience a new culture, to meet

others and to explore your new surroundings.

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on

the days before leaving your home country

when you were excited about your new 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:

z Language skills

z School performance and involvement

z Campus/host adjustment

z Individual learning and growth

Important telephone numbers

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 typical

crafts, it would be good to show other students,

as well as to decorate your room to make it

seem like home. We have seen costumes and

drums from Korea, dancing and music from

Austria and a piñata and tortillas from Mexico.

Please bring pictures of your friends, family and

surrounding area.

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).

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

School holidays

The EF International Language Centers in North

America 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

January 1 - New Year’s Day

February 20 - President’s Day

May 28 - Memorial Day

July 4 - Independence Day

September 3 - Labor Day

November 22 and 23 - Thanksgiving

December 25 - Christmas Day

2013

January 1 - New Year’s Day

February 18 - President’s Day

May 27 - Memorial Day

July 4 - Independence Day

September 2 - Labor Day

November 28 - Thanksgiving

December 25 - Christmas 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

USA but you must keep it and your other

documents in a safe place while you are in

the country.

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

with proof of insurance in English, if you

have secured Erika Travel Insurance from

EF, you do not need to have anything

translated.

■ Immunization documents with a copy of

them in English

■ 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:

+(1) 805 962 8680________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+(1) 805 708 2623________________________________________