Predeparture Los Angeles LS 2012

Redondo Beach

Long Beach

Palos Verdes

Pacific Ocean

Manhattan Beach

Venice Beach

Santa Monica

Hollywood

Downtown

Beverly Hills

Marina Del Rey

Pacific CoastHighway

Los Angeles Int’l Airport

South Bay Pavillion

UCLADisney Concert Hall

Getty Center

Los Angeles River

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

LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

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.

EF Los Angeles

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFLosAngeles

Los AngelesRealize your dreams with EF in LA’s South Bay,

known for its beautiful beaches! Within easy reach

of Los Angeles and star-studded Hollywood – true

icons of the American Dream - you will have lots of

time to explore while learning English.

Contact details:1650 South Pacific Coast Hwy.Redondo Beach, CA 90277Tel: +(1) 310 540 2550

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 - Los Angeles

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing EF Los Angeles for your

studies!

We are here to help you to make the most of your

time in the USA - to reach your academic objective,

to explore this fantastic country, to meet friends from

all over the world, and to have fun!

The school location combines the laid-back lifestyle

of a typical Californian beach town with the cosmo-

politan feel of Los Angeles attractions. Beaches and

mountains, nightlife and museums, shopping and

adventure sports – come to experience the exciting

mix this destination has to offer!

The school team and I are looking forward to welcom-

ing you to the USA.

EF Los Angeles can’t wait to meet you!

Best wishes,

Ashlee Mcclelland, School Director

EF International Language Center,

Los Angeles

3 Los Angeles, USA

2. Welcome to Los Angeles, USAWelcome to Redondo Beach - a famous stop

on the professional volleyball circuit. Offering

everything a famous beach town should, while

providing you with the perfect base for excur-

sions to all the major local attractions in the

greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas,

including everything from theme parks to the

allure of Hollywood.

As a suburb of Los Angeles, Redondo Beach

has a great deal to offer in terms of shopping,

dining, and entertainment. For the ultimate

American shopping experience, head to South

Bay Galleria, just a short distance from the

school. It is a three-level shopping center and a

stand-alone entertainment center with 16 movie

theaters! If you’re looking for something unique

then the Riviera Village, located near to the

school, has cozy cafes, art and craft galleries

along with creative boutiques nestled within a

six- block area around the school.

Restaurants in the area provide opportunities

to sample dishes from all over the world: tra-

ditional American fare and Californian cuisine,

Chinese, Greek, Mexican, Indian and Thai

specialties, just to name a few. Opportunities

to attend performing arts events abound, with

opera, orchestra and theater houses located

throughout the city of Los Angeles.

Redondo Beach is a perfect location from

which to set out and explore the numerous at-

tractions of Southern California and the nearby

states. The cities of San Diego and Santa Bar-

bara are located just a few hours away, while

downtown Los Angeles is 20 minutes away

by car. Below are approximate travel times

(in minutes by car) to some favorite Southern

California attractions:

z Whale watching at Redondo Harbor: 5 min

z Beverly Hills: 45 min

z Universal Studios: 45 min

z Malibu Beach: 40 min

z Magic Mountain: 60 min

z Dodger Stadium: 40 min

z Hollywood: 35 min

z LA Music Center (concerts/plays): 40 min

z Santa Monica/Venice Beaches: 20 min

z LA County Museum of Art: 45 min

z Biking/Hiking Trails: 15 min walk from school

Tijuana, Las Vegas, Yosemite, San Francisco,

the Grand Canyon, and the Great American

Southwest are all within a day’s drive from Re-

dondo Beach. In the wintertime, you could ski

at Big Bear in the morning and surf at Venice

Beach in the afternoon. The possibilities

are endless.

3. Weather WatchRedondo Beach and the surrounding area

enjoy a warm, southern Californian climate

almost all year round. In general, Redondo

residents experience warm, sunny days and

mild evenings.

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 13° to 22°C (55° to 72°F)

Summer: 15° to 36°C (59° to 97°F)

Autumn: 13° to 22°C (55° to 72°F)

Winter: 5° to 20°C (41° 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 Los Angeles Int’l Airport to

Redondo Beach for an additional fee. For your

convenience we recommend you take advan-

tage 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).

Arriving into Los Angeles Int’l Airport (LAX)

When you arrive at Los Angeles International

Airport, you will be met by an EF Greeter outside

of the “baggage claim” area. He or she will be

wearing an EF T-shirt and/or carrying an EF sign.

If you are on a U.S. domestic flight, he or she will

be looking for you in the baggage claim of your

domestic flight. If you are arriving on an interna-

tional flight, the greeter will be awaiting your arrival

after you have passed through U.S. Customs

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 Los Angeles, USA

and Immigration inspection in the public greeting

area. If your international flight arrives into Tom

Bradley International Terminal, the greeter will be

in Arrival Area “B,” which is in the center of that

terminal. Please be sure to display an EF logo if

you do not locate the Greeter right away.

In case your flight is changed, you miss a con-

nection, or you cannot locate the EF greeter,

please call the emergency number. Please

note: you will receive this number and other

important contact information from your local

EF office prior to departure.

Please be aware that many EF students will

be arriving the same day and you may have to

wait up to an hour for other students to arrive

before you leave the airport.

Students arriving independently

If you choose not to use the EF transfer ser-

vice, you must notify the EF office in your home

country or the EF Redondo Beach school of

the anticipated arrival time, so that we can

know when to expect you. Plan to arrive be-

tween 10:00 am. and 8:00 pm.

5. School InformationThe EF International School of English makes

its home in a modern building with a beautiful

Riviera front in central Redondo Beach, just a

two-minute walk from the beach. The bright

classrooms are designed for face-to-face

group learning with our EF Efekta™ System.

The school’s modern facilities include a cozy

student lounge, iLab language learning facili-

ties, library, and quiet study rooms alongside

Wi-Fi wireless Internet throughout the whole

school. Most students find it very convenient to

bring their own laptop in order to take advan-

tage of our free wireless service.

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

throughout the course. Assessment is based

on attendance, 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

complement and reinforce classroom learning

in an interactive 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.

The EF Internship Program

EF Redondo Beach offers a unique business

internship program to showcase your vocational

talents or discover new ones while learning

5 Los Angeles, USA

American business culture. Participants in the

internship program go through a formal applica-

tion and interview process before being matched

with a compatible company. However, no guar-

antees can be made regarding a specific com-

pany or field. Students must also reach a certain

language level to be considered. Students are

required to dress professionally and follow the

rules and regulations set by the company.

Most students contribute at least 6-8 hours

per week to their internship and gain valuable

knowledge and experience. Successful intern-

ships can often lead to a better future for you

when you return home. Previous Los Angeles

students have held internships in fields such

as the entertainment industry, hotels, hospitals,

travel agencies, schools and investment and

accounting firms. (Intern positions are non-

salaried and by federal law cannot lead to

offers of permanent employment). Some fields,

such as investment, accounting and banking

now require fingerprinting and a background

check due to increased security measures.

Students who are in Level 5 or higher are eligible

to enroll in the Internship program. See the Pro-

gram Director for more information if you would

like to enroll in the optional Internship Program.

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 & MealsAll EF students at Redondo Beach will live in

a welcoming local homestay or in one of our

many student residence complexes, each with

its own character and flair.

Making yourself at home

The Housing Coordinator is available to assist

you with all of your housing matters. You will

not be able to change your accommodation

type once you arrive in Redondo Beach. Keep

in mind that your first few weeks in the United

States will be filled with new experiences and

challenges. We encourage you to have pa-

tience and a sense of humor with your hosts,

your new roommates and with yourself. It is

perfectly normal to feel a little uncomfortable at

first in your new surrounding. Relax and try giv-

ing yourself at least three weeks of adjustment.

The staff is there to help you if you have any

questions or concerns.

Housing deposit

During the orientation meeting on the first

day of your course, you will be asked to pay

a $100.00 key and damage deposit. This will

be refunded to you at the end of the program,

less any charges for a dirty or damaged room

or a lost key. Excess damages will result in

additional charges.

Homestay

Some students will choose EF homestay

accommodation. Here, you will have an oppor-

tunity to experience daily life while living with

an American family. Unless you have paid the

single supplement, you will be accommodated

in a double room with another EF student. You

are responsible for all transportation costs to

and from the host family. We suggest that stu-

dents staying in a homestay buy a car, as pub-

lic transportation is not always available. Bed

linens and towels will be provided by the family,

however you will be responsible for doing your

own laundry. You will be responsible for light

housework and keeping your room clean.

Meals in a homestay

Students who are living in a homestay will

have breakfast and dinner Monday through

Friday and all meals on the weekend with their

families. For daily lunches, there are many eco-

nomical cafes and restaurant options available

near the school. Depending on the family’s

meal schedule, you may find that sometimes

your evening meals are prepared ahead of time

and you can help yourself to dinner.

Residences

If you have booked a residence accommoda-

tion you will live in the following location:

Avenue G

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

It is an apartment-style residence with one

or two bedrooms, a living room, dining area,

kitchen with stove, and shared bathrooms. The

spacious bedrooms can accommodate triple

or quad occupancy. It is 5-10 minute walk

to the EF school, the beach and shopping. It

has an on-site pool and laundry facilities. Bed

linens will be provided, however you need

to bring your own towels, as these are not

provided.

Meals in a student residence

Students have two choices when living in the

student residence regarding meals.

z Option 1: self-catering. For students who

choose the self-catering option, a kitchen is

6 Los Angeles, USA

available in the student residence for

preparing meals.

z Option 2: EF Meal Plan. For students who

purchase the optional meal plan, two meals

per day (breakfast and lunch or dinner) are

included seven days a week. The meal plans

are available at various diners near the EF

school and residences. Students will be given

vouchers upon arrival, which will be good

for two meals per day. The diners are only

minutes away by foot from the school.

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, EF staff will advise you about

how to open a bank account with a local bank.

We recommend that you bring approximately

$100 in cash for expenses upon arrival and the

rest of your spending money in traveler’s checks.

General expenses

We recommend that you have approximately

$100 in cash for expenses upon arrival, with

the rest of your spending money in traveler’s

checks. Depending on how much traveling,

shopping and eating in restaurants you plan to

do during your visit to California, we recom-

mend that you budget from $100 – $300 per

month (excluding excursions).

You will also need to take money for learning

materials used in class and for any language

proficiency exams you plan to take.

Wire transfers

To transfer money internationally, please

contact Western Union, an international money

wiring company. Their website is www.wester-

nunion.com.

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,

pay for TOEFL exams and do various activi-

ties which may be more difficult with cash or

traveler’s checks.

9. Phones, faxes & InternetTelephone

All long distance calls should be made using a

calling card. We recommend that students ex-

pecting to stay for a long period of time come

with or purchase a mobile phone.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. You can send and receive faxes from

this machine for a small fee, although you are

encouraged to limit the use.

Internet

There is Wi-Fi wireless Internet throughout the

whole school. Most students find it very conve-

nient to bring their own laptop in order to take

advantage of our free wireless service.

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

and doctors offices if you need medical atten-

tion. Please ask the EF staff for assistance, if

you need medical attention.

Immunizations

EF requires that all students attending an EF

school in the United States carry proof that he

or she has been immunized against measles I

and II, polio, TBC, mumps, rubella, diphtheria

and tetanus. Please note that it is not sufficient

to have had the diseases as a child. If you do

not bring this documentation with you, you will

be required upon arrival at the school to obtain

the immunizations at an area hospital. The cost

to students is approximately $50 (this amount

is not covered by insurance).

Insurance

All students traveling to the USA are required

to have medical and accident insurance upon

starting their program of study.

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 & ExcursionsThe EF Activities Coordinator arranges a

regular schedule of sports, local activities, day-

trips, and weekend excursions to area attrac-

tions. The cost of these trips is not included in

the tuition.

Weekly and daily activities

EF organizes movie nights, sport nights,

evening socials and various trips to profes-

sional sporting events, including ice hockey,

basketball, and American college football. We

will promote special activities in the local com-

munity such as street festivals, music concerts,

coffee house nights, cultural showcases and

holiday events, allowing you to take advantage

of all that Redondo Beach has to offer.

Weekend excursions

Redondo Beach is surrounded by one of the

largest cities in the world, Los Angeles. The

LA area offers an enormous range of cultural

activities and entertainment. Weekend excur-

sions and day trips to local attractions will be

open to all students. The following prices are

an estimate to help you to plan your trip. Exact

information will be available at the school and

these prices may vary, based on the number

of students who participate in each trip. Excur-

sions can be paid for in cash, with traveler’s

checks, or credit cards.

7 Los Angeles, USA

Typical Excursions:

z Hollywood tour $39

z San Francisco $290

z Las Vegas $270

z Disneyland $110

z Universal Studios $75

z Los Angeles Zoo $35

z Outlet shopping trip $25

z Magic Mountain $89

z Ski Trips, prices vary

Prices include transportation. Hotel accom-

modation is included for overnight trips. All

prices are subject to change without notice

and depend on seasonal availability.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

Bus schedules can be found on the Los Ange-

les transit system website, www.mta.net. Fares

start at $1.50 each way. Public transportation

is not as well-developed in California because

most Californians drive cars.

Car rentals

Distances between attractions are great in

California and public transportation is not as

well developed as in other parts of the U.S. or

in other countries. Therefore, many students

choose to rent cars on weekends and during

vacation breaks. The cost is approximately $50

per day or $350 per week, which includes full

insurance. You can either make your own ar-

rangements or ask the EF Activities Coordinator

for help. Another alternative is to make your ar-

rangements 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.

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. 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.

Buying a car

Many previous students have recommended

that future students buy a car for the duration of

the program. If you plan to buy a used car, you

should budget $3,000-6,000, depending on

the make and year of the car you intend to buy.

Additional costs in car ownership include sales

tax, registration fees, license plate fees, state

registration and smog inspection fees, insur-

ance fees and driver’s license fees. Every car,

whether rented or owned, must be insured.

Bicycles

Many shopping, recreational, and entertain-

ment facilities are within a comfortable biking

distance in Redondo Beach. You can buy

a bicycle if you do not rent or buy a car. A

bike will give you much better access to the

surrounding area. There is also a bike path

running along the coast which links Redondo

Beach with the surrounding beach towns of

Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches.

You can purchase a good bike for $60-150.

The staff will be happy to help you locate a reli-

able, inexpensive bicycle when you arrive.

Flights

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

serves Redondo Beach. L.A. is a large air

travel hub, which is served by most major

airlines. The EF Administrative Coordinator and

the Activities Coordinator can help you with

your flight arrangements within the U.S.

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 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.

8 Los Angeles, USA

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

expected to show identification (driver’s license

or passport) when purchasing alcohol in a

liquor store or bar. Many nightclubs 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. No alcohol is allowed on

the EF campus or the EF residences.

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-Ameri-

can 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 appli-

ances. Hairdryers and radios can be purchased

very inexpensively in the U.S. so it may be bet-

ter 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

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 Los Angeles)

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 Elementary

school textbook about U.S Geography,

recommended for students who have very

limited English skills.

z Travels with Charley and The Grapes of

Wrath by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck, origi-

nally from Salinas, California 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

9 Los Angeles, USA

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 mem-

bers 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

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

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

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






November 28 - Thanksgiving


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

+1 310 540 2550________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number

+1 818 687 7733________________________________________

Ch

eckl

ist

Important telephone numbers

16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool 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






November 22 and 23 - Thanksgiving


2013






November 28 - Thanksgiving


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:

+1 310 540 2550_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+1 818 687 7733_________________________________________

Additional notes or numbers:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address

_________________________________________

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

_________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number

_________________________________________

Predeparture Los Angeles LS 2012

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