predeparture sidney aya 2012

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 Sydney

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

SydneySparkling, sophisticated Sydney enjoys an exquisite

natural setting, friendly inhabitants, a perfect climate

and world-famous landmarks. The EF school’s

central location puts students in the heart of this

spectacular city.

Contact details:EF House5-7 Young StSydney, NSW 2000 AustraliaTel: +61 2 9247 7668

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFSydney

Section ......Topic

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

2 ........... Welcome to Australia

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 ......... Australian culture & living tips

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

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

17 ......... Checklist

Contents - Sydney

Dear Student,

G’Day and welcome to life Down Under!

Thank you for choosing to study at EF International

Language Center, Sydney, situated in one of the most

exciting locations in the world. Located in the heart

of Downtown Sydney, the Heritage-listed school

building is only minutes away from the Opera House,

the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks district, the site of

Australia’s first settlement. Sydney city is a shopper’s

paradise. The Queen Victoria Building boasts over 200

boutique shops, and Darling Harbour, the entertain-

ment district, is full of markets, restaurants and

galleries. Take a ride to the top of Sydney Tower and

marvel at the 360-degree view of the city. Spend the

afternoon wandering round the Royal Botanic Gardens

or stroke a Koala at Taronga Zoo. Alternatively, for the

sun worshipers amongst you, spend the day on the

word famous Bondi Beach topping up your tan and

enjoying the surf!

Whether your stay is for 6 months or 9 months the staff

at the school will do their very best to make your stay a

happy one and we all look forward to meeting

you soon.

Best wishes,

Nicki Mors, School Director

EF International Language Center, Sydney

3 Sydney, Australia

2. Welcome to Sydney, AustraliaSydney is Australia’s largest city, built around

Sydney Harbour. It is a modern city and is

Australia’s business capital. It is the capital of

New South Wales. About four million people

live in the Greater Sydney suburban area, which

is bordered by the Royal National Park to the

south; the Ku-ring-gai National Park to the

north and the Blue Mountains to the west.

3. Weather WatchIn Australia, the seasons are opposite to those

in the Northern Hemisphere and the weather

in Sydney is generally mild. Summer is from

December to February, it is hot, humid and only

light clothing is needed. Autumn is from March

to May, it is generally warm during the day and

cool at night. Winter is from June to August and

the days and nights are cool. Spring is from

September to November when the days are

warm and the nights are cool. It is wise to bring

a sweater to Sydney as the nights can be chilly,

even in summer, and to carry an umbrella as

the weather is quite unpredictable, particularly

in the summer months.

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 11° to 26°C (52° to 79°F)

Summer: 20° to 30°C (68° to 86°F)

Autumn: 12° to 26°C (54° to 79°F)

Winter: 10° to 16°C (50° to 61°F)

4. Travel & Transfer serviceTransfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be

confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service

from the airport to your accommodation for an

additional fee. We highly recommend that you

take advantage of this service.

At least one month before your arrival, you

must inform the EF Office in your home country

of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight

number, date and time).

If you have booked our transfer service from

the airport to your accommodation, please go

to the pre-established meeting point between

Gates B and C as soon as you arrive, and be

on the lookout for the EF greeter; who will be

holding up an EF sign and should be easy to

identify. If after waiting for approximately 30

minutes you still haven’t found the greeter,

please call the transfer number (+61 411 437

095). You will receive this number and other im-

portant contact information from your local EF

office prior to departure. You can also go to the

Information Desk where you can ask someone

to help you contact the EF greeter.

It is a good idea to purchase a phone card

while you are at the airport so that you can

phone home to let your family know you’ve

arrived safely. The international code from

Australia is ‘0011’; for all international calls,

always remember to omit the zero between the

country code and city code.

Students arriving independently

There are three main methods of transportation

from the airport into the city. If you are staying

in a homestay and plan to arrive independently,

remember to contact EF or your homestay

hosts with your arrival details. Please go

straight from the airport to your homestay. Your

hosts will be expecting you shortly after your

plane arrives.

Airport Shuttle

There is an airport shuttle bus that leaves from

the International Airport every 20 minutes and

stops at various points in Sydney. Tickets are

approximately $6.50 AUD. The main stations

are Central Station, Wynyard Station, and

Circular Quay. You can connect to public trans-

portation from one of these points depending

on the location of your host home. To connect

to ferries going to Manly and the Northern

Beaches, use the Circular Quay stop. If you are

considering a taxi from one of the downtown

stations to your homestay, please consider that

it may actually be the same distance in many

cases to take a taxi directly from the airport to

your homestay due to the location of the airport

and the above stations in relation to our host

communities.

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 Sydney, Australia

Train

There are trains that leave from Sydney airport

every ten to fifteen minutes stopping at various

points in Sydney. Tickets are approximately

$15 to $20 AUD. The main stations are Central

Station, Wynyard Station, and Circular Quay.

You can connect to public transportation from

one of these points, depending on the location

of your host family. To connect to ferries going

to Manly and the Northern Beaches, use the

Circular Quay stop. If you are considering a

taxi from one of the downtown stations to your

homestay, please consider that it may actually

be the same distance in many cases to take a

taxi directly from the airport to your homestay

due to the location of the airport and the above

stations in relation to our host communities.

Students staying in Greenwich Village should

take a train to St. Leonards station in North

Sydney (it will be necessary to change trains

at Wynyard Station in the City). The address is:

33 Greenwich Road, Greenwich, NSW, 2065

(Phone: +61 2 9436 1881).

Taxi

Taxi rides from Sydney’s International Airport

to our host communities, range from $55 to

$75 AUD. There are normally plenty of cabs

available, so there is not usually a wait. It is

a good idea to keep a record of the driver’s

number, which should be on an ID card on the

dashboard of the taxi, and to ask for a receipt,

in case you have any questions about the fare.

5. School InformationThe school is located only a minute’s walk from

Circular quay, the Opera House, and the Harbour

Bridge. The building was originally erected in the

19th century as a wool warehouse. It has gone

through many changes since then, but retains

many of its original features. Internal features

include large classrooms with brick and stone

walls as well as iron-barked beamed ceilings.

The school has recently been totally refur-

bished following the strict EF corporate design

code. Classrooms are air conditioned, spa-

cious and well equipped, with new furniture

and audio/visual equipment. The school also

boasts three 16-seat computer labs, and a

separate self-access centre where students

have use of an additional 6 computers for

personal email or self-study.

Most students spend their free time enjoying

Sydney’s good weather at the cafés at Circular

Quay, in the Royal Botanic Gardens or in the

historic Rocks district, all very short distances

from the school.

The school is accredited by NEAS Australia

and is an English Australia College.

The staff

During your time with us we will do our best to

ensure that you settle in as easily as possible,

and make sure your time here is a happy and

beneficial one. On your first day at school, you

will meet our friendly and experienced staff

who will be on hand to help and advise you

throughout your stay.

6. AcademicsEF language courses give students the opportu-

nity to study the English language and the local

culture for as long, and with as much intensity,

as suits the student and his or her needs.

EF Level Placement Test

Within 24-hours after booking your course,

you’ll receive your personalized EF username

and password for the online EF campus called

My EF. Before traveling, you will take the EF

Level Placement test online. This test will mea-

sure your language level and ability, grammar

and listening comprehension abilities. Using

your test results, our academic team will place

you in one of six different language levels.

As your English language skills become stron-

ger, you will be promoted into the next language

level. You may speak with your teacher if you

feel you have been placed into the wrong level.

Orientation

There will be an orientation programme to

acquaint you with the school, the accom-

modation and life in Sydney. You will receive

a map of Sydney and additional information

to help you get to know the city. The activities

coordinator will speak to you to find out what

you like doing in your free time and will take all

new students on a short tour of the city to help

familiarise you with local banks, post offices,

shops, restaurants, and snack bars. Students

will also be required to pay for their books on

their first day (please see section 17 for prices

and further information).

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. Some of the Special Interest classes

that have been held in the past have included

Literature, Drama, Politics, Media Studies,

Popular Music, Business English, Current Af-

fairs, Environmental Studies, Art Appreciation

and Film Studies.

Class size

The average class size is 15 students with a

maximum of 17 students.

Class Schedule

Classes will be scheduled Monday through

Friday and may be in the morning or the after-

noon. Each week you will study for 21hr 20 min.

Classes are one hour and 20 minutes long.

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.

It is very important that you understand the

requirements of your student visa. The Aus-

tralian Government requires that you attend

80% of the course for visa purposes. If your

attendance falls on or below 80% the school

is legally required to submit your name to a

‘student monitoring’ website. If this happens

you will most likely be deported from Australia.

Please note: if this occurs you will find it very

difficult to get a tourist, student or resident visa

for Australia ever again.

5 Sydney, Australia

Homework

You are expected to complete all assignments

set by your teachers in General English and

Special Interest classes. If you are taking an

examination preparation class you should ex-

pect at least one hour of homework per night.

Assessment

You will be assessed at regular intervals through-

out the course. Assessment is based on atten-

dance, participation, attitude and performance.

Course books

As part of your academic program, you’ll be

expected to buy the books and classroom

materials that you will use in class. The exact

number of books that you’ll need is determined

by your academic level, progress and choice of

special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-

ditional books you may need more money. The

books you buy are yours to keep, write in and

take home with you for future reference.

iLab Learning

All English language school courses include six

iLab sessions per week. iLab sessions comple-

ment and reinforce classroom learning in an

interactive online learning environment. Please

note: iLab is not included in the EF Basic Course.

Exams

You may enrol for several different public

examinations during your course. For example,

Cambridge, IELTS, TOEIC and TOEFL exams

are all popular with students. Some can be

taken at the school itself, others must be taken

at an external examination centre and booked

several months in advance. Advice as to the

most appropriate examination to sit will be

given to you by the Director of Studies. If you

wish to take one of the Cambridge exams in

December, you should tell the Director of Stud-

ies as soon as you arrive. You will be respon-

sible for the cost of all exam registration fees

which cannot be paid at the sales office.

Due to strict government regulations on

student visas it is often not possible to extend

your visa once you are in Australia and your

visa period usually ends 28 days after your

course officially finishes. It is against the law

to study in Australia if you no longer have a

valid student visa. It will also cost $150 AUD

to apply for the extension if you want to try.

For these reasons, we recommend that all

students purchase the two-week exam exten-

sion at the same time as booking the course

as the exam extension period is then included

in your visa. If you do not take this extension

then EF will refund the cost of this period to

you. This is the most effective way of ensuring

you will be able to take an exam at the end of

your course.

Cancellation of course or school transfer

If you decide to downgrade, cancel or transfer

your course to another EF school, please

talk to our Customer Support team. They will

advise you of any transfer charges and visa

restrictions.

EF University Placement Service

EF International Language Centers offer a uni-

versity placement service that provides expert

advice on applying for university in Australia. If

you are interested in continuing your studies,

you are encouraged to talk with the University

Pathways Manager at your school.

University Transfer Credit

Through our partnership with Southern New

Hampshire University (SNHU), EF students

may be eligible to receive university credit for

their coursework.

7. Accommodation & MealsHomestay and student residence accommo-

dation are available at the EF Sydney school.

All homestay and student residence issues

during your stay should be directed to the Ac-

commodation staff.

Homestay accommodation

Students staying in a homestay will have the op-

portunity to experience Australian life and also

have the chance to practice their new language

skills with fluent English speakers. Students

who choose homestay accommodation should

do so because they want to live in a home

environment and interact with the members of

the household. Our homestay hosts choose to

host international students because they want

to learn about other cultures and people.

Students who live in a homestay must respect

the family and their home. Likewise, the hosts

will respect the student. As you get an in-depth

look at Australian life, you will realize that Austra-

lian culture is not the same as your culture, and

therefore, home life may be quite different. The

relationship between husband and wife, the

roles of family members, the relationship with or

discipline of children and the relationship with

pets are just some examples. If you are open-

minded about these differences, life in the family

will be a great learning experience.

Sydney is a multicultural city made up of many

different ethnic groups. Your homestay hosts

may have been born in or outside of Australia,

they may look different to how you think ‘Aus-

tralians’ should look, and they may even speak

another language in addition to English. Aus-

tralian families can be made up of two parents

and children, living at home or living away from

home; a couple without children; or a single

man or woman. Many Australians also own

a household pet and although most pets live

outside, a cat or dog is normally seen as part of

6 Sydney, Australia

the family. Please discuss the family’s household

rules during the first week of your stay.

EF has two different types of homestay accom-

modation; 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.

Before you leave your home country, please let

your homestay hosts know the date and esti-

mated time of your arrival to ensure they are at

home to welcome you when you arrive.

Each homestay has been carefully chosen and

is matched as best as possible to a student

according to their age, interests and habits.

The Homestay Coordinator likes to know how

you are getting on with your family and will help

you with any problems should they arise.

Transportation

You are responsible for all transportation costs

to and from the host’s home. Most homestays

are located in residential areas to the north of

the city centre. All homestays are within 45 -

60 minutes travelling time from the school by

public transport.

Laundry and Facilities

Many Australian families have their own wash-

ing machine and most hang their washing on

a line in the garden to dry rather than using

a clothes dryer. Ask your hosts whether they

would prefer to do your washing for you or

whether you should do your own. If you are

allowed to use their washing machine, please

ask for instructions on how to use it. You may

be charged a fee for laundry by your hosts.

Please keep your bedroom clean and tidy,

especially if you are sharing your room with

another student.

Inviting friends

Always ask your hosts before inviting friends

home. Please do not expect your hosts to

serve meals to your friends. Also, if you are go-

ing to stay out very late at night, please inform

them so that they don’t worry about you.

Telephone use

To call your friends and family you will need to

use a prepaid telephone card. Your family can

telephone you, but please ask them not to call

too late. Remember that you are sharing the

telephone with the rest of the people in the

home. Do not spend more than 15 minutes on

the phone at any time.

Smoking

Usually you will be matched with a family with

the same smoking habits as your own. Please

ask before you smoke in the family’s house

they may prefer you to smoke outside. Many

Australians do not smoke and it is banned in all

public places, such as shops, offices, buses,

trains and airport terminal buildings.

Requests for change

Homestay accommodation is booked for your

entire course. You may only change homestays

for very serious reasons and you must give four

weeks notice to the Accommodation Coordi-

nator. Requests for change will be considered

on an individual basis. No refunds will be

granted for students who choose to leave their

homestay for personal reasons.

Meals in a homestay

Your homestay hosts provide breakfast and

dinner Monday to Friday, and all meals on

the weekends. You are responsible for your

own lunch during the week. Meals will only be

provided when you are home to participate.

Please be sure to call your hosts if you are

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

home for a meal. There will be no refund for

meals not taken at home with your family.

If you cannot eat certain foods, please inform

your family at the earliest possible time.

Student residence

Greenwich Village

Our main year-round residence is located at 33

Greenwich Road, Greenwich, NSW, 2005 Tele-

phone: + 61 2 9436 1881; Fax: + 61 2 9436

1595. Greenwich Village is a 10-minute walk

from St Leonards train station in North Sydney.

The residence also has various bus routes right

at its doorstep, providing easy access to North

Sydney, Chatswood, and Sydney CBD. Green-

wich Village provides accommodation for up to

175 students and provides a safe, comfortable

and friendly environment for its residents.

It has excellent facilities which are avail-

able to all residents including: a large study

area, computer room with internet access,

outdoor swimming pool, basketball practice

area, games room with ping-pong and pool

tables, and cable TV, lounge/video area, and

barbeque facility on the grounds.

z��Deposit: A bond of 350 AUD is payable upon

arrival and will be refunded conditional upon:

giving 14 days written notice of intention to

vacate early, returning the room key, and

leaving the room in a clean and undamaged

condition.

z��Linen: Linen will be provided free of charge

for stays of 12 weeks or less; long-term resi-

dents can rent linen at a cost of 7 AUD/wk.

z��Refrigerators can be rented for 7 AUD/wk.

z��Cleaning: Students will be responsible for

keeping their rooms clean and tidy.

z��Laundry: There is a coin-operated laundry

available from 8am to 8pm daily.

z��Kitchenettes: A microwave oven and electric

kettle are provided in the kitchenettes.

z��Telephones are available on the corridor of

each floor for national and overseas calls.

z��Phone cards are available from reception dur-

ing office hours; residents are asked to limit

their calls to 10 minutes maximum.

z��Smoking/alcohol: Smoking is not allowed in

any part of the building or in the residence

grounds. The drinking of alcohol is not permit-

ted in any of the public areas, but drinking is

allowed in moderation in student rooms .

Parties are not allowed.

z��Age requirement: All /resident’s guests must

be 18 years or older.

Students staying in the Greenwich Village Resi-

dence will eat meals in the dining hall. Included

in your course fees are breakfast and dinner

Monday through Friday and brunch and dinner

on weekends and holidays.

The Mansions

Name and address of the residence: The Man-

sions, 7 Park Road, St Leonards, NSW, 2065

z��Distance between school and residence with

public transport: 40 min. (20 min. train; 10

min. walk either end)

z��Rooms offered: single & twin

z��Bathrooms en-suite or to be shared: All

en-suite

7 Sydney, Australia

z��Meals: breakfast only; cooking facilities and

fridge in each room

z��10 minutes from grocery store

z��Laundry possibilities include shared coin

operated laundry

z��Residence is available 52 weeks a year

z��Extra facilities: Access to Internet from each

room; TV in each room; telephone, refrigerator

and air conditioning

z��Minimum age is 18 to live here.

Cambridge Lodge

Name and address of the residence: Cam-

bridge Lodge Accommodation, 109 Cam-

bridge Street, Stanmore, NSW 2048. Tel: + 61

2 9564 6822, Fax: + 61 2 9564 6088

z��Traditional mansion house recently refurbished

z��31 twin rooms with sink, desk, internet and

phone access

z��Fresh linen weekly

z��Coin-operated laundry

z��Kitchen facilities

z��Meals: half board – breakfast and dinner

z��Shared bathrooms

z��30 mins to city by train

Women’s College (Nov to March only)

Name and address of the residence: The

Women’s College, 15 Carillon Avenue, New-

town, NSW 2006. Tel: + 61 2 9517 5000

z��Distance between school and residence with

public transport: 30 mins door to door.

z��Rooms offered: single & twin

z��Shared bathrooms

z��Meals: half board – breakfast and dinner

z��10 minutes from grocery store

z��Shared coin operated laundry

z��Extra facilities: tennis courts, tv and tea

rooms, 24-hour Internet access; extensive

gardens and grounds, library, meeting rooms,

music practice room, access to numerous

restaurants and shops

z��Minimum age is 18 to live here.

Housing alternatives

The school can help students find an apartment

or hotel to stay in during their stay in Sydney, if

they would prefer not to live with a family.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar.

The symbol for this currency is $. The dollar is

divided into 100 cents. Banknotes are different

colors and come in denominations of $5, $10,

$20, $50 and $100. Coins come in denomina-

tions of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c , $1 and $2.

Banks

To open a bank account, EF recommends the

Westpac Bank on the corner of Pitt and Bridge

Streets, Sydney, near the school.

There are a number of banks near the school

where you can change money and cash travel-

lers cheques; they are normally open from 9:30

to 4:00 Monday to Friday only, so it’s a good

idea to cash some travellers cheques at the

airport when you first arrive.

Spending money

Just like in any other big city, you should not

carry a large amount of cash around with you

in Sydney. If it is lost or stolen, it is very unlikely

that it will be covered by your insurance policy.

It is much safer to have your money in the form

of travellers’ cheques.

We estimate that you will need between $120

to $250 AUD per week to cover the cost of

activities, travel, weekday lunches, sports and

entertainment. Don’t forget too that once you

are here you will probably wish to go on some

weekend tours or longer travelling trips, these

usually cost from $200 to $600 AUD for up to

a week.

You will also need to take money for learning

materials used in class and for any language

proficiency exams you plan to take.

Only carry as much money as you need for one

day – remember thieves exist everywhere in the

world! The safest way to carry money is travel-

ler’s cheques. Many places also accept major

credit cards. The school can only accept travel-

lers’ cheques made out in Australian dollars.

Wiring money

You can have money transferred to the Na-

tional Australia Bank from your country if you

should need some more during your stay.

Please tell your family to send it to:

National Australia Bank

Castlereagh and Hunter Streets Branch

Sydney, NSW, 2000.

The person sending the money from overseas

should mark it “Pay on Identification” to Bank/

State Branch number 082.020, and send it by

Swift or Telegraphic Transfer. You should allow

7-10 days for your money to arrive, and a fee

of approximately $10 AUD will be charged by

the bank in Sydney.

Credit cards

EF strongly recommends that students travel

with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards

enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms,

and do various activities, which may be more

difficult with cash or traveller’s cheques.

If you want to use your credit card to withdraw

Australian money from an automatic teller ma-

chine, you should only use machines in Australia

that are attached to a bank. If the machine is

attached to a bank and the machine takes your

card, you can easily get your card back again

by going inside the bank and asking for it. You

cannot get your card back easily if the machine

that has taken it is not attached to a bank.

8 Sydney, Australia

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

All long distance calls must be collect calls,

charged to the person you are calling, or

charged to a prepaid telephone card. EF sells

our own phone cards which are a very cheap

and convenient way of phoning overseas from

public and private phones in Australia.

How to dial

Telephone numbers in Australia generally consist

of 10 numbers. The first two numbers represent

the area code (08) and the numbers that follow

are the individual subscriber’s number. Interstate

and overseas telephone rates vary according to

time of day and the number telephoned.

z For local calls you don’t need to dial the area

code - just the subscriber’s number.

z For long distance calls, dial the full number

including the area code.

z For international calls, you need to dial 0011

followed by the national code, area code

(without the 0) and subscriber number.

‘Reverse charge’ or ‘collect’ calls

If you want the person you are calling to

pay for the call you need to make a ‘reverse

charge’ or ‘collect’ call. First dial 12 550 to

get an operator and say that you would like to

make a collect call. The operator will ask you

for your name and then ask the person you are

calling whether he/she will accept the charges.

Public phones

Calls from public payphones may be made

with coins, a credit card or a telephone card.

Instructions are given in each telephone box.

Phone cards for international calls are available

at Reception in EF. These cards allow you

to make inexpensive international calls from

private and public phones in Australia.

Directory Inquiries

If you don’t know the number you need to call,

you should dial 1223 for Sydney and Australia

and 1225 for overseas. The service is free. If

you need the operator’s assistance to help you

make your call you should ring 1234.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. You can send faxes from the school at

a cost of $5 AUD per page. The school can re-

ceive faxes for you and does not charge for this

service. The Fax number is: +61-2-9247-7691.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless

Internet. Students are highly encouraged to

bring their personal laptop computers for email

and Internet use on the wireless network.

10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend nearby hospitals

and doctors offices if you need medical attention.

Please ask the EF staff or your homestay hosts

for assistance if you need medical attention. If

you have any personal problems there is always

someone who you can talk to confidentially.

Insurance

All students traveling to Australia are required

to have medical and accident insurance upon

starting their program of study. You will still

have to pay for some treatment if you see a

doctor but you can claim the money back from

the insurance company. Please note: You will

need to keep all receipts in order to receive

money back from the insurance company.

All students are required to bring proof of insur-

ance in English to show that they have proper

health insurance when a medical emergency

occurs. Students who do not bring proof of in-

surance will be required to purchase insurance

through EF at the school.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with

Erika Travel Insurance, an international insur-

ance expert. The policy protects you against ex-

penses incurred through accident or illness, and

provides coverage for loss or theft of baggage

and personal effects. It also provides coverage

against interruption of your EF program due to

illness as well as liability and legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When

you are sick or injured the last thing you want

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

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to

your social and academic success. They not

only help you to relax after a day studying, they

also provide you with an opportunity to meet

and make friends from other classes, other

countries and other cultures. Your school’s

activities and trips give you the opportunity to

apply your life skills, practice English in real

situations and familiarize yourself with Austra-

lian culture.

Activity Program

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regu-

lar schedule of local activities, day-trips, and

weekend excursions to area attractions. The

cost of these trips is not included in the tuition.

Weekly Activities

We have a weekly program of activities on

campus (dances, movie nights, coffeehouse

nights) at either no cost or minimal cost. The

Activities Coordinator will also organize sports

games and tournaments, depending on stu-

dent interest and participation.

Weekend excursions

The EF activities coordinator arranges all kinds

of outings and sporting events for students to

go on during their free time. These will be during

the evenings and at weekends. These will be

free of charge or at cost price for students. The

number and destination of excursions depend

upon the time of year and the interests of the

students. Payment must be made with cash.

Typical excursions and approximate prices

z Ballet at the Opera House (Evening) Cost

approx. $75 to $100 AUD

z Blue Mountains (Day) Cost approx. $75 AUD

z Wildlife Park (Day) Cost approx. $75 AUD

z Hunter Valley and Old Sydney Town (Week-

end trip) Cost approx. $150 AUD

12. TransportationPublic transportation

Cities in Australia are linked either by trains,

planes or by coaches. Coaches are cheaper

than trains but they are slower and it may be

necessary to book a place before you travel.

All forms of transport are only a minute’s walk

from the EF school. The public transportation

9 Sydney, Australia

system in Sydney is very efficient. The Circular

Quay railway is a one-minute walk from the

school; buses pick up passengers on the next

block. A weekly ticket from school to your ac-

commodation will cost between $28 and $56

AUD. Ask your homestay hosts to advise you

on the best travel pass to buy for travel to and

from the school.

Car rental

If you are travelling with a group of friends it

may be worth hiring a car but remember you

must be over 21 and have a valid license to

drive in this country and you must abide by the

speed limits and other traffic laws that are in

force. We suggest you buy and read a copy of

the Highway Code before you drive in Austra-

lia. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a

new experience. Remember that many of your

expectations may have been formed by the

unreal world of TV and movies. Arrive at your

course centre with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

z��Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

z��An academic program which combines lan-

guage, special interest, and culture-oriented

classes.

z��Full program of local activities and excursions

at special EF rates.

z��Accommodation in either homestay or stu-

dent residence.

z��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. Australian culture & living tipsPassport and Visa requirements

Everyone entering Australia needs to hold a

current passport and where necessary, an ap-

propriate visa. Students coming to study on an

English course of 12 weeks or fewer can usu-

ally enter Australia on a Visitor’s Visa; students

coming for longer courses will need to enter on

a Student Visa and will have to be a full-time

student (Intensive Course; Exam Preparation

Course; EF Foundation Year, Academic Year

Course). For some nationalities, it is possible to

come and study on a Working Holiday visa.

It is best to contact your nearest Australian

Embassy or Consulate for exact details. EF ad-

vises all students wanting to come to Australia

to also buy EF travel insurance.

Your visa usually ends 28 days after your

course officially finishes. It is against the law to

study in Australia if you no longer have a valid

student visa. If for some reason your student

visa expires before the end of your course, you

will need to apply for a new visa. This will cost

$430 AUD regardless of the study period. If

you would like to travel around Australia after

your course, or decide to cut your studies

short to travel instead, you will need to apply

for a tourist visa. This costs $200 AUD.

It is important to remember that any student

who attends less than 80% of their total 25

study hours per week fails to meet Australian

government regulations and risks termination

of their course and cancellation of their visa.

Insurance requirements

Any students travelling to Australia on a

Student visa (13 weeks of study or more) are

required by the Australian government to have

Medibank insurance (Overseas Student Health

Cover - OSHC) for their visa process except

for Norwegian and Swedish nationals. Fees for

Medibank insurance have to be pre-paid, along

with your course fees, to your EF office.

We also strongly recommend that students

purchase Erika Travel Insurance through EF in

addition to this since it is a much more com-

prehensive policy than Medibank.

If you have a medical insurance policy that cov-

ers overseas travel, you may not need to pur-

chase Medibank Insurance. You will be required

to submit proof of this insurance policy together

with your visa application, and the embassy will

determine whether this policy is acceptable.

Please note that a standard travel insurance

policy will not be sufficient. If you are a Norwe-

gian student covered by the Norwegian National

Insurance Scheme or a Swedish student cov-

ered by either CSN (the Swedish National Board

of Student Aid) or by Kammarkollegiet, you will

not need Medibank insurance.

You will receive a CoE form (Confirmation of

Enrolment for Overseas Students) from the

school after you have paid your programme

fees and the Medibank Private Health Insur-

ance charge (OSHC, as above) to the EF

office. OSHC rates are:

z Per month: $26 AUD

z Stays of up to 3 months: $88.50 AUD




Take or send this CoE form to the nearest Aus-

tralian Embassy or Consulate who will charge

you for processing your visa. You should go

to the Embassy or Consulate as soon as you

receive the CoE form as it can take quite a

while to process your visa. Sometimes proof of

a recent medical examination and chest X-rays

are also required. If you have any difficulties,

please ask the staff at the EF office for informa-

tion and assistance.

You can also visit the DIMIA website www.

immi.gov.au for further visa information or

10 Sydney, Australia

to apply online. If you receive an electronic

visa, you will not need a visa stamp in your

passport.

Your sales office will inform the school that you

have paid your OSHC fees and the school will

then inform the Medibank office. Your card

will then be sent to the school and you can

pick it up from the student mailbox located in

the school’s reception. The card is used for

refunds of some medical expenses in the same

way that Australians use their card. Students

must pay the doctor and collect the refund

from a Medibank office. Medibank provides

coverage according to a standard schedule

of fees, and therefore does NOT always cover

100% of medical fees incurred. For example, a

doctor’s consultation costs approximately $45

AUD. When you take your card and receipt to

the Medibank office they will refund you ap-

proximately $35 AUD.

In the event that any medical treatment ex-

ceeds the standard fees, the patient is always

responsible for paying the difference. Med-

ibank Private does not cover dentist, physio-

therapist, optician or other medical specialist

fees. For this reason, EF strongly advises all

students wanting to come to Australia to also

buy travel insurance. This is available through

your EF office.

Work permit

You may be legally allowed to have paid work

for up to 20 hours per week. Any person

who is granted a student visa is automatically

granted permission to work. The 20 hour limit

is strictly monitored by the government.

Students’ Personal Information Details

The school may make students’ personal infor-

mation details available to the Commonwealth

and State agencies and the ESOS Assurance

Fund Manager (Section 51 of the National

Code).

Electrical

Electrical sockets in Australia operate on

220/240 volts so, if you come from a country

that operates on a different voltage, you will

need a transformer before you use your equip-

ment. You might also need an adaptor for any

fitted plugs. These can be bought in Australia.

Measurements

Metric systems of weights and measures are

used in Australia.

Australia Post

The mail service in Australia is relatively inexpen-

sive and quite reliable. For best results, be sure to

write the complete address and full postcode.

Postal rates vary with destination and weight.

The local post office will be able to supply you

with stamps and any necessary information.

The nearest Post Office to the EF school is

at 38-40 Pitt Street. It is open from 09:00 to

17:00. Post offices are always closed on public

holidays. Local mail stamps can often also be

bought at newsagents.

You can use red post boxes in the street to

post your letters, but the yellow post boxes are

only for express post within Australia itself.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for taxi drivers and in

restaurants. About 10% of the bill is adequate

for good service. If the service is not good, no

tip is needed.

Shopping

The hours during which shops are open in

Australia are quite variable. Most stores remain

open Monday - Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.

In the suburbs of Sydney, Thursday evening

is late night shopping when shops close at 9

pm and on Friday it is in the city centre. Some

supermarkets and most department stores in

the city centre only are open on Sundays from

midday to 5 pm.

Smoking

In Australia smoking is considered a health

hazard. Therefore, it has become much less

tolerated in Australia compared to other coun-

tries. If you smoke, you will be asked to do so

in certain areas or most of the time, outside. It

is illegal to smoke inside restaurants or cafes in

Australia. Most homestay hosts will not permit

smoking in their home. We kindly ask that you

behave courteously and follow the rules of your

school and your hosts.

Local and national laws

You will be required to abide by all local and

national laws as well as any rules of the EF

school.

National laws

z��you are not to buy, sell, possess or use any

controlled or illegal drug unless prescribed for

you and approved by a doctor

z��you are not to buy or drink alcohol unless you

are over 18 years old

z��you are not allowed to buy cigarettes unless

you are over 18 years old

z��you are not to threaten, commit or take part

in any act of violence

z��you are not to carry or own any illegal weapons

z��you are not to shoplift or steal

Violation of these rules will lead to a verbal

warning and possible disciplinary action by

the School. Any student who ignores a verbal

warning will be given a formal written warning,

a copy of which will be sent, where appropri-

ate, to the parents or sponsor. Any further

breaches of the rules may be followed by your

expulsion from the programme.

In the case of law breaking or serious misbe-

haviour, you will have to return to your home

country at your own expense without a warn-

ing period. You will be required to sign a copy

of these rules prior to your departure, which

will be reviewed at orientation.

Remember that you are legally governed by

the laws of the Australia. If you break these

laws, your consulate cannot offer you free legal

assistance or bail you out of jail. You are con-

sidered responsible for your own actions. The

school will have to report you to the govern-

ment and it is likely your visa will be cancelled

and you will have to return home.

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

11 Sydney, Australia

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 Australia.

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.

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 surround-

ings. Relax, take a deep breath and reflect

back on the days before leaving your home

country when you were excited about your

new adventure.

Try to refocus this former excitement towards

your experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and

changes that take place over the year is to

keep a journal. By recording your experiences

and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able

to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will

have a record of your academic and personal

progress to look back on in days and years to

come. Be sure to note changes in:

z��Language skills

z��School performance and involvement

z��Campus/host adjustment

z��Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some

music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-

cal crafts, it would be good to show other

students, as well as to decorate your room

to make it seem like home. We have seen

costumes and drums from Korea, dancing and

music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas

from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your

friends, family and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

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

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012


Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun


Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

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

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012


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


Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan


Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013


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

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013


Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan



Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013


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

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

The EF International Language Center in Sydney

recognizes the following public holidays when

there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on

one of these dates, please check with the

school staff upon your arrival for an exact orien-

tation schedule.

2012

2 January - for New Year’s Day

26 January - Australia Day

6 April - Good Friday

9 April - Easter Monday

25 April - Anzac Day

11 June - Queen’s Birthday

6 August - NSW Bank Holiday

1 October - Labour Day

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

2013

1 January - New Year’s Day

28 January - Australia Day

29 March - Good Friday

1 April - Easter Monday

25 April - Anzac Day

10 June - Queen’s Birthday

5 August - NSW Bank Holiday

7 October - Labour Day

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where necessary)

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 pass-

port with you while you are in Australia but

you must keep it and your other docu-

ments in a safe place while you are in the

country.

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

with proof of insurance in English, if you

have secured Erika Travel Insurance from

EF, you do not need to have anything

translated.

■ Basic medical supplies, any medication

you take regularly and a spare pair of con-

tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■ An International Driving License if you are

planning on hiring or buying a car.

■ Local currency for first week and for any

learning materials that are not included in

the cost of the course.

■ Money in the form of an ATM card

(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards

and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring

large amounts of cash in any currency!).

■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-

ances you plan to bring with you.

■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■ Personal sports equipment.

■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):

________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number:

________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

+61 2 9247 7668________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+61 4 1543 6158________________________________________

predeparture sidney aya 2012

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