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 Abroad For adults and Students aged 16 & above EF International Language Centers www.ef.com EF Miami Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change. Miami Beach Study English in Miami Beach where an ideal cli- mate, sandy beaches and a stylish culture make it a popular destination. The EF school is primely located on the beach, on the picture-perfect boardwalk in trendy South Beach. Contact details: 2469 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA Tel: +(1) 305 538 8581 Watch a video Or visit us at Facebook.com/ EFMiamiBeach
Transcript
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 Miami
Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
Miami BeachStudy English in Miami Beach where an ideal cli-
mate, sandy beaches and a stylish culture make it a
popular destination. The EF school is primely located
English. The staff and I are looking forward to meeting
you. We will introduce you to the school, the city of
Miami Beach and help you make this the experience
of your lifetime!
The mild weather of South Florida provides an enjoy-
able atmosphere to study and to participate in all
kinds of outdoor activities. EF is located in the cos-
mopolitan city of Miami Beach. You can get a sun tan
at its famous beautiful beaches, tour the historic and
colorful Art Deco district, dine at an Ocean Drive café,
shop at trendy boutiques, or watch a fashion shoot -
all just a few blocks from the school.
We look forward to meeting you in Miami Beach.
Best wishes,
Ana VanGilst, School Director
EF International Language Center,
Miami Beach
3 Miami, USA
2. Welcome to Miami Beach, USASouth Florida is famous all over the world for
its sunshine, blue skies and beautiful beaches.
The city of Miami Beach offers a cosmopoli-
tan atmosphere. Located at the southern tip
of Florida, it is a very vibrant and colorful city
with cultural, ethnic, musical, culinary and art
festivals happening almost every weekend.
The famous Art Deco District is a two-block
walk from the school and is filled with shops,
restaurants and live entertainment. Beachfront
sidewalk cafes and Lummus Park are located
along Ocean Drive, just ten blocks away - a
perfect place to “people-watch”, roller blade or
play volleyball.
The almost perfect climate of the area makes
it a great place to be outdoors. Besides all of
the traditional outdoor sports such as baseball,
basketball, volleyball, rollerblading and running,
Miami also offers a wide selection of water
sports, including windsurfing, diving, snorkeling,
waterskiing and boating. The famous Miami
Seaquarium and Metro Zoo combine outdoor
exhibits with interesting daytime excitement.
The proximity to many Caribbean islands also
makes Miami the “Cruise Capital” of the world
and a perfect jumping off point for weekend
island get-a-ways.
The EF school is located on Miami Beach, an
island off the coast of the city of Miami. It is
connected to the mainland by numerous bridg-
es. By car the school is about ten minutes from
downtown Miami, 15 minutes from the airport
and 40 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. Many
attractions in South Beach are within walking
distance from the school. There are six public
bus routes that stop in front of the school. The
free bus stops on 17th street, just eight blocks
from the school. Miami Beach also boasts a
nationally famous symphony orchestra, ‘The
New World Symphony’, and ballet company, a
Performing Arts Theater, art museums, a public
library - all within 15 minutes walking distance
from the EF school!
3. Weather WatchWith a subtropical climate, Florida is an ideal
location for outdoor sports, activities and rec-
reation - sunshine prevails all year round! The
summer months (June-October) are character-
ized by afternoon rain showers followed by
good weather. Make sure to pack an umbrella
for the rainy days, sunscreen for the tropical
sun and a sweater for the air conditioned areas.
Temperatures range from:
Spring: 20° to 30°C (68° to 86°F)
Summer: 24° to 32°C (75° to 90°F)
Autumn: 19° to 27°C (66° to 81°F)
Winter: 15° to 26°C (59° to 79°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 Miami International Airport to the School
for an additional fee. It is strongly recommend-
ed that you take advantage of this service.
At least one month before your arrival, you
must inform the EF office in your country of the
exact details of your flight (date, arrival time,
airline, flight number). This assists us in prepar-
ing for your arrival.
Before you leave your home country, you
should put EF baggage tags on each piece
of luggage (including your carry-on baggage)
indicating your home address and the address
of the EF school. This will help in the location
and recovery of your luggage in case it is lost or
misdirected during your travel.
If you have paid for an EF transfer, please follow
the instructions below. If you have arranged for
an EF transfer and take a taxi instead, EF will
not be able to reimburse you later.
When you arrive at Miami International Airport
on an international flight, look for the EF Greeter
in the Customs Lobby after you pass through
customs. He or she will be wearing an EF T-
shirt and/or carrying an EF sign. If you arrive on
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 Miami, USA
a domestic flight, the EF Greeter will meet you
in the baggage claim area of your flight. Please
do not go far from this area – this is where the
EF Greeter will be looking for you!
If, however, you cannot find the Greeter, go
to the Information Booth on the second floor
of the airport in Concourse “E.” Have the EF
Representative paged (called-out over the
loudspeakers) and wait close to the informa-
tion booth. It may take up to 30 minutes for
a greeter to locate you. If you have waited
longer than 30 minutes, call the EF emergency
service (you will receive this number and other
important contact information from your local
EF office prior to departure). Please see below
for instructions.
If you have missed one of your flights, arrive
on a different flight or date, or you are lost, you
should go to the nearest pay telephone and
call the EF Miami Beach school. If you are not
able to communicate with the school, then
you should call the EF emergency number
(you will receive this number from your local EF
office prior to departure). Please see below for
instructions.
When calling the EF emergency number:
The answering service will ask you several
questions. Be prepared to state your name,
the school (Miami) you will attend and the air-
line and flight number you arrived on at Miami
International Airport. If you call from Miami In-
ternational Airport, be prepared to state where
you are located in the airport. The answering
service will call the EF staff to assist you.
Traveling as an “unaccompanied minor”
If you are traveling as an “Unaccompanied
Minor”, please advise the school and tell your
airline that you will be picked up by the transfer
company of EF Miami Beach.
Students arriving independently
If you are arriving by private car you should
arrive at the EF student residence between
12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. An RA will be wait-
ing to welcome you and show you to
your room.
If you would like to take a taxi, follow the signs
from the baggage claim area outside the taxi
stand. A taxi ride to the campus will take 15-
30 minutes and the cost will be approximately
$28 to $33 plus tip.
5. School InformationThe Facility
Even though the Miami Beach school is
minutes away from the activity of South
Beach, our school is located in a quiet upscale
residential section of South Beach – very
conducive for studying. The school is located
right on the beach. Students have the luxury
of walking along the ocean boardwalk or sun-
bathing on the beach or by the outdoor pool.
There is a student activities center located in
the lobby where students can relax, chat with
new friends or play games.
The building has central air conditioning and
individual units in the bedrooms. Classrooms
boast ocean front views and there are two
computer labs for classroom use.
Residence students will have classes, eat
meals and live in the same building. The indoor
dining hall and outdoor dining terrace overlook
the pool and ocean. The school also provides
facilities on most living floors for students to
prepare drinks or quick meals.
Staff
The School Director is assisted by very
competent academic staff, a Facilities Director,
a Director of Student Services, Housing
Coordinator and an Activities Coordinator. The
Activities Coordinator organizes social events,
games, excursions and can assist students in
arranging travel plans.
EF has several staff members who live in the
dormitories and will help you get settled into
the dorm when you arrive. These Resident
Assistants (RAs) oversee student life in the
residence and are also available in case of an
emergency.
Mail sent to the school
Letters sent to you at the school should be
addressed as follows:
Your Name (very important)
c/o EF International School of English
2469 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33140
USA
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.
5 Miami, USA
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.
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 & MealsStudent residence
Student residence accommodation is available
at the EF Miami Beach school. All housing
matters during your stay should be directed to
the Housing Coordinator.
All students must pay a $100 key and dam-
age deposit upon arrival. The deposit will be
returned to you at the end of the program, less
any charges for a dirty or damaged room, lost
key or other outstanding costs incurred while
at the school. Lost keys cost $50.00.
Check-in begins at 12 pm.
Students living in the dormitory will be matched
with other EF students to share a room.
Students will be accommodated in quadruple
rooms. Twin rooms are very limited and require
a supplemental fee. Handicapped accessible
rooms are available.
Each room has an en-suite bathroom complete
with a shower, toilet and sink. It is furnished
with a bed, desk and chair for each student.
The closets and dressers in each room are
shared among all roommates. Students may
make internal and local calls free of charge
from their rooms and from the lobby.
Each residence room is cleaned once a week.
You and your roommates are responsible for
keeping the room clean and emptying the
trash. Cleaning equipment is available from the
Resident Advisor. Bed linens and towels will be
provided upon arrival. There are coin operated
washing machines and dryers in the building.
Check-outs are Saturdays before 10 am.
Seasonal Residences
Students who book a course in the summer
between the end of June to the end of August
may either be housed in the school resi-
dence or in one of a number of nearby hotel
residences. If your stay goes beyond the last
weeks of August you may be moved back into
the school for those remaining weeks. While it
6 Miami, USA
is possible to request to be in the school, EF
cannot guarantee this as we prioritize bookings
by the date the reservation is confirmed. All
hotels have an EF representative (Resident
Advisor) living there and the hotels are all within
walking distance of the school varying from
between 5 to 20 minutes walking distance.
Since we try to choose those hotels located
closest to the school, there may be a variance
in the facilities offered by each hotel. i.e. not
all hotels have a pool or free wireless Internet,
however all offer twin rooms, en suite bath-
rooms, housekeeping at least once a week
and linen exchange.
Students will still take their classes and meals
at the school and of course have access to all
school facilities. You will be informed at least
two weeks before departure of where you are
accommodated, but if you do not receive this
information from the sales office, please con-
tact them prior to departure in order to know
where you have been housed.
Meals
Residence students will eat at the school in the
dining hall. Included in your course fees are a
breakfast and dinner, Monday through Friday,
and brunch and dinner on the weekends
and holidays.
In addition to hot entrees and side dishes, the
deli bar (cold cuts and cheese for sandwiches)
and a salad bar are available at lunch and
dinner. There are also vending machines where
students can purchase soda and snacks at
all hours.
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 (val-
ues) 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
You should open a bank account at the start
of your course. During orientation, a local bank
representative will be at the school to help you
with this. Depending on your needs, you can
have a checking or savings account or both.
These types of accounts allow you to have a
24-hour ATM card.
Money for expenses
We recommend that you bring approximately
$100 in cash for expenses upon arrival and
the rest of your spending money in trav-
eler’s checks. We recommend that you take
between $75 and $150 per week, excluding
excursions, depending on how much traveling,
shopping and eating in restaurants you plan to
do during your visit to the Miami area.
You will also need to take money for learning
materials used in class and for any language
proficiency exams you plan to take
Please note: It is expensive and inconvenient
to exchange foreign currency in Miami.
Wiring money
If you need to have money wired to you dur-
ing your stay in Miami Beach, have it wired
to Western Union. There are nine locations in
Miami Beach.
The nearest location is:
Western Union
1300 Lincoln Rd.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
1-305-534-2006
You will be charged a fee for receiving wire
transfers. Please inquire with Western Union
before sending your money.
Credit cards
We strongly recommend that students bring
either a Visa or Master Card. Credit cards en-
able you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms, and
participate in various activities and excursions
which may be more difficult with cash or travel-
ers’ checks. Credit cards are also useful in an
emergency. Please note, the school is not able
to accept credit cards.
9. Telephones, faxes & InternetPhone calls
Please tell your friends and family to call you
at +(1) 305 538 8581. They will be greeted by
an answering machine instructing them to dial
“7” plus your room number. When you arrive,
please be sure to call your parents or send
them an email to tell them your room number.
Each room also has its own direct number,
which can be found on the door inside your
room. In case they don’t know your room
number, there will be a receptionist to assist
them from 8:30 am until 11:00 pm.
Students may make internal and local calls free
of charge from their residence rooms and from
the lobby.
In order to place a long-distance call outside
the school, a student must have a phone card,
which is available for purchase at the activities
office or a local convenience store. You must
dial “9” for an outside line and then the “305”
or “786” number on the card, followed by the
pin number. To dial out of the country dial 011+
the country code + the number you are calling.
Faxes
Faxes can be received at +(1) 305 672 0350.
There is no charge for receiving up to 4 pages
at this number. If you receive over 8 pages, the
cost is $1 per page. Sending faxes: Interna-
tional - $3 per page
Internet
There is one computer lab that is open at spe-
cific times for students to access the Internet.
The building is also equipped with a Wi-Fi
Internet system so students can bring their
laptops. There are a limited number of wireless
Internet cards, which may be borrowed from
the school for a $100 deposit. This provides
Internet access 24 hours/7 days a week from
anywhere in the building.
10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend local hospitals
and doctors offices if you need medical atten-
tion. For non-emergencies you will need to pay
immediately in cash or by credit card for any
medical service. You will be reimbursed by your
insurance company. Please ask the EF staff for
assistance if you need medical attention.
7 Miami, USA
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 activity staff at the EF school are here to
help you make the most of Miami and Florida.
The Activity Coordinator can help you plan
your free time by organizing a variety of events
and excursions, including:
Day Excursions – the Miami Seaquarium, Ever-
glades Alligator Farm, Kennedy Space Center,
shopping, windsurfing, snorkeling, Parrot
Jungle, Monkey Jungle, and more...
Night excursions – hot spots around Miami
including South Beach, Coconut Grove, and Ft.
Lauderdale where there are outstanding evening
activities, events, professional sports team, and
dance clubs.
Weekend excursions – the world famous Disney
World and Universal Studios complexes, the
Southernmost point in the USA, Key West and
Explore Florida tours, which include other major
cities and attractions such as the Tampa/St.
Petersburg area and Busch Gardens.
Social and Cultural Events - parties, BBQs, dance
lessons, fitness and aerobics classes, movie
nights, club activities with the staff, art deco tours,
international days, and holiday festivals all take
place around the school.
Sports - beach volleyball, pool, basketball, tennis,
American touch football, ping-pong, swimming
and more. You are free to use any of the equip-
ment we own at EF anytime the activities office is
open or an RA can get something for you - just
be ready to leave your ID card so we can keep
track!
Many activities in or around the school are free,
such as sports tournaments, holiday parties and
dances, pool parties and club activities. Excur-
sions beyond EF and their costs depend upon
the time of year and the number of students
involved. Our schedule of activities and exact
prices, as well as cut off dates for signing up
for activities, will be posted weekly around the
school.
The following prices are estimations to help you
budget your trip - exact prices will be available
when you arrive at the school:
Day Excursions - generally average $40 for sites
around Miami such as the Everglades Alligator
Farm, the Seaquarium and the Parrot Jungle.
City tours cost $30. Longer day trips such as the
Kennedy Space Center costs $90, and sporting
events are in the
$20 - $100 range.
Weekend Excursions - the costs of weekend
excursions vary greatly depending on the trip, the
season and the numbers of students. Two-day
trips to Orlando/Disney World cost $250. Two
days in Key West cost $220.
Costs for longer distance trips and cruises can
be discussed when you arrive, since Miami is in
close proximity to glamorous Caribbean destina-
tions, as well as a major destination for cruise
ships traveling within the Caribbean. For example,
a three-day trip to the Bahamas from Miami will
cost about $400.
All EF weekend excursions include transportation,
accommodations & admission fees. Although
some trips may include some meals, you should
expect to pay for meals when traveling with EF.
In addition to our program of excursions, we are
more than happy to help individual students or
small groups plan their time and activities to make
the most of their trips to Miami, Southern Florida
and beyond.
8 Miami, USA
Please Note: Students intending to travel outside
of the United States, whether on an EF excursion
or independently should obtain tourist visas be-
fore travel. It is highly recommended to apply for
these visas before departure. To be able to travel
outside the US and return, students must obtain
a valid multiple entry visa from the US embassy.
For help with visas after you arrive, please see
activities or the student services coordinator.
Sports and Games facilities in EF Miami
z��Outdoor swimming pool
z���Beach sports such as Frisbee, running, beach
soccer and volleyball
z��Ping Pong (table tennis) in the student lounge
Other activities in the area (fees may apply)
Within a 5-10 minute bus or taxi ride from school
z��Fitness clubs
z���18-hole public golf course with Par 3 course
and driving range
z���Jet-skiing (available across the street from the
school - 2 minute walk!)
z��Swimming
z��Tennis
z��Basketball
Available at Flamingo Park - public recreation area
- 10 minute bus or taxi ride from school
z��Soccer fields
z��Basketball courts
z��Baseball courts
z��Tennis courts
Available in Key Biscayne and other parts of
Greater Miami (within 30 minutes by car)
z��Sailing
z��Snorkeling
z��Water skiing
z��Scuba diving
12. TransportationMetro Miami buses
There are six metro Miami buses that pass in
front of the school on their regular routes each
day from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. The buses pass
about every 15 minutes. They cost $1.50 per ride,
and a ticket to transfer to any other form of public
transportation in the city costs $.25 extra.
Monthly passes are also available. These passes
must be purchased in advance at the end of
each month. See activities if you are interested in
purchasing a bus pass.
Shuttle bus
On South Beach we also have a shuttle bus
called the South Beach Local, which runs
between 17th and 5th streets, up and down
Washington Avenue, which is one of the main
streets for shopping, working out, eating out and
clubbing. It also provides easy access to Ocean
Drive, just two blocks from Washington and paral-
lel to it. This shuttle bus costs $0.25 US.
Taxis and limousine services
Transportation by taxi is also an excellent way
to get around Miami. Up to five people can ride
in one taxi, all at the same rate, which makes
getting around Miami relatively cheap. From the
school to anywhere on South Beach is $8 or less,
to downtown around $15, and to the airport or
Coconut Grove, $30 plus tip.
For special nights out, activities can also help you
hire a limousine service for up to 12 people at a
flat rate of $100 per hour, or for pick-up and drop-
off from different locations around the city.
Car rentals
There is no student parking available at the
school. Some students choose to rent a car on
weekends for private excursions. Most rental car
agencies will only rent to people who are 25 years
or older. All agencies require a credit card. Some
agencies will rent cars to students over 21 years
but the rates are higher. EF does not recommend
that younger students rent cars. EF recommends
that anyone renting a car (even for short trips)
purchase full comprehensive insurance coverage.
The only person authorized to drive the car is the
one whose name is on the contract. Do not rent
cars for your friends!
Flights
The Miami area is serviced by the Miami Inter-
national Airport located 10 miles from the school
- 15 minutes by car or taxi. The EF Student Ser-
vices Coordinator is available to help you change
a ticket purchased through EF, as well as to help
with any other flight arrangements.
13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a
new experience. Remember that many of your
expectations may have been formed by the un-
real 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.
What you can expect from your EF Residence:
z��A comfortable, clean place to live.
z��Breakfast and dinner every day.
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
9 Miami, USA
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 reliable.
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 consumption
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.
Smoking
Over the past few years, smoking is considered
more and more a health hazard to those who
smoke and those people around smokers.
Therefore, it has become much less tolerated
in the U.S. compared to other countries. If you
smoke, you will be asked to do so in certain 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 courteously 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.
Refrigerators are available to rent and have in
your dorm room for a monthly fee. These are
available through local companies and can be
arranged once on campus.
If you plan to buy a television while in the US,
a small one costs about $150-$200 and is a
great way to practice listening comprehension.
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 Miami) is a 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.
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 experi-
ence periods of fatigue and discomfort when
you are uncomfortable. Culture shock is what
sometimes happens when we try to meet chal-
lenges of our new culture by using the values,
beliefs, and attitudes of our own culture. As
visitors to a new culture, we must learn that
cultural differences are merely different - not
right or wrong.
It is a good idea to bring traditional objects
from your culture to share with other students
and your host to teach them about
your country.
Tips on coping with change
Remember that change does not come with-
out some effort! We humans need a certain
amount of stress to motivate us to learn new
ways of being. Learning always involves some
form of change. You should try the following:
z��While you might be tempted to surround
10 Miami, USA
yourself with things that are familiar to you,
try not to isolate yourself by being only with
others from your home country. Keep reach-
ing 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
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr
Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun
Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun
Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep
Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012
Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 3: (Year) Mon 24 Sep - Fri 30 Nov
Departure: 1 Dec 2012
September 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec
Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan
Term 2: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar
Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013
Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar
Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May
Departure: 1 June 2013
January 2013
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan
Term 1: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar
Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar
Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun
Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013
Holiday: Sat 8 Jun - Sun 16 Jun
Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug
Departure: 17 Aug 2013
School holidays
The EF International Language Centers in North
America recognize the following public holidays
when there will be no classes. If your arrival
falls on one of these dates, please check with
the school staff upon your arrival for an exact
orientation schedule.
2012
January 1 - New Year’s Day
February 20 - President’s Day
May 28 - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
September 3 - Labor Day
November 22 and 23 - Thanksgiving
December 25 - Christmas Day
2013
January 1 - New Year’s Day
February 18 - President’s Day
May 27 - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
September 2 - Labor Day
November 28 - Thanksgiving
December 25 - Christmas Day
17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-
sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of
these and pack them in your suitcase
just in case. You don’t need to carry your
passport with you while you are in the
USA but you must keep it and your other
documents in a safe place while you are in
the country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
with proof of insurance in English, if you
have secured Erika Travel Insurance from
EF, you do not need to have anything
translated.
■ Immunization documents with a copy of
them in English
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on hiring or buying a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name
________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address
________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)
