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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
z Stays of up to 6 months: $177.00 AUD
z Stays of up to 9 months: $256.50 AUD
z Stays of up to 12 months: $354.00 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
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
June 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun
Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep
Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec
Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012
Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan
Term 3: (Year) Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Feb
Departure: 9 Feb 2013
September 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep
Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec
Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan
Term 2: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar
Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013
Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar
Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May
Departure: 1 June 2013
January 2013
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan
Term 1: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar
Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar
Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun
Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013
Holiday: Sat 8 Jun - Sun 16 Jun
Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug
Departure: 17 Aug 2013
Please note: there will be no classes on
public holidays.
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________________________________________