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Marina SouthCity Park
Little India
Chinatown
Pulau Brani
Clarke Quay
Pearl’s HillCity Park
Esplanade Theatre
Raffles
Singapore Flyer
Orchard Road
Mount Faber Park
Great World City
Tanjong PagarRailway Station
Tiong BahruPark
Far East Plaza
College of Medicine
www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above
EF International Language Centers
Accreditations and Memberships
The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,
Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol
and Bournemouth are:
EF Dublin is accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in the USA are members of:
The EF Internation-al Language Cent-
ers in the USA are accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in
Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:
EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue
Etrangère.
EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.
All EF Courses are certified by Southern
New Hampshire University.
EF Education is an active participant in
the Comité Européen de Normalisation.
The EF International Language Centers
in Brisbane and Perth are mem-
bers of:
The EF International Language Centers in
Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are
accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,
Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bourne-mouth are members of:
All EF Courses are recog-nized by Hult International
Business School.
Federation of International Youth
Travel Organizations.
SingaporeA dynamic city rich in contrast and color, you’ll find
a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and
architecture here. Brimming with unbridled energy,
this little dynamo in Southeast Asia embodies the
finest of both East and West.
Contact details:15 Carpenter StreetSingapore 059904
EF Singapore
Section ...... Topic
1 ............Introduction to EF
2 ............Welcome to Singapore
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 ..........Singapore culture & living tips
15 ..........Adjusting to a new culture
16 ..........EF school calendar & holidays
17 ..........Checklist
Contents - Singapore
Dear Student
Thank you for choosing to study at EF in Singapore.
The EF school in Singapore has only recently opened,
and has some great facilities for you to use, and we’re
in a great location. The school is located right in the
middle of the Quays district in Central Singapore, just
a 5 minute walk from an exciting range of some of
Singapore best attractions, shopping and restaurants.
Whether your stay is for only a few weeks or a few
months – there is never a shortage of things to do
and see, and the staff at the school all look forward to
meeting you and making your stay with us a memo-
rable one.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Best wishes,
Antonio Codinach, School Director
EF International Language Center,
Singapore
3 Singapore
2. Welcome to SingaporeSingapore is a country, a city and a tropical
island all in one destination. It is made up of
not just one island but a main island with 63
surrounding islets. The main island has a total
land area of 682 square km, so it takes less
than an hour to get from one side of the island
to the other.
However, its compact size manages to have
4 million people call Singapore home, and it’s
grown to become one of Asia’s most modern,
cosmopolitan and dynamic cities.
There are endless choices of things to do
outside of your studies. Chill out on the golden
sand beaches of Sentosa Island or go bargain
hunting along world famous Orchard Road.
Soak up the sights and sounds of the cultural
districts, Chinatown, Little India and the Arab
Quarter. Singapore also has some of the best
wildlife attractions in the world, the Singapore
Zoo and its famous Orangutans and White
Tigers, the Bird Park and of course the Night
Safari is not to be missed.
Why not take a weekend to visit our neighbors?
You take can a short 45 minute ferry ride over
to some of the islands of Indonesia, or a bus
will take you up to Malaysia. Alternatively you
can stay in Singapore and jump on board the
Singapore flyer – and on a clear day you can
see these countries in the distance.
3. Weather watchSingapore is a tropical climate, located just north
of the Equator. The Singaporeans like to joke that
they have 3 seasons, hot, hotter and hottest! The
island is warm and humid all year round. This
makes it ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing,
swimming and other water sports. But for those
who do not enjoy the tropical climate, Singapore
is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with
air-conditioning in almost all of its shops, hotels,
office buildings and restaurants.
Rain falls throughout the year, with more con-
sistent rain in November to January. Showers
are usually sudden and heavy, but also brief and
refreshing. Make sure to pack an umbrella for
the rainy days, sunscreen for the tropical sun
and a sweater for the air-conditioned areas.
Average Temperatures range from:
Spring: 24° to 31°C (75° to 88°F)
Summer: 24° to 31°C (75° to 88°F)
Autumn: 23° to 31°C (73° to 88°F)
Winter: 23° to 31°C (73° to 88°F)
Check www.weather.gov.sg for Singapore
weather forecasts.
4. Travel & transfer serviceTransfer service
If you have booked our transfer service from
the airport to your accommodation, you must
inform the EF Office in your home country of
the exact details of your flight (airline, flight
number, date and time) at least one month
before your arrival.
When you arrive at the Singapore airport,
please go to the pre-established meeting point
in your arrival letter. Look for the EF greeter
who will be holding up an EF sign. If after wait-
ing for 30 minutes you still haven’t found the
greeter, please call the transfer number (+65
9113 3467). 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. When calling from Singapore, re-
member to omit the zero between the country
code and city code.
Students Arriving Independently
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 host
family. Your family will be expecting you shortly
after your plane arrives. There are three main
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 Singapore
methods of transportation from the airport into
the city:
z Public Bus: Public bus service 36 goes to
the city. The first bus arrives at around 0600
hr and the last leaves at midnight. A single
fare costs below $2 SGD and takes about an
hour. Bus stops are located under Terminals
1, 2 or 3. Please prepare the exact fare as no
change will be given.
z Train (MRT): The Changi Airport MRT Station
is located under Terminals 2 and 3, and is
linked to the arrivals and departures by esca-
lators and lifts. The first train arrives at around
0530hr and the last leaves at 2318hr. A
single fare to the city costs about $2.70 SGD
(inclusive of $1 SGD refundable deposit) and
takes approximately 25 - 30 minutes. Tickets
are available at the station.
z Taxi: Taxi rides from Singapore Changi
International Airport to our host communities,
range anywhere from $10 to $40 SGD. 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. All taxis in Singapore
charge their fares based on the meter, it is
illegal to offer a set price for a journey.
5. School InformationThe EF school’s central location puts students
in the heart of this spectacular city. The school
is located in the heart of the Quays district off
the Singapore River, walking distance to Clarke
Quay, Boat Quay, Chinatown, the Heritage
quarter and a huge range of local sights and
attractions.
EF Singapore has been totally refurbished
recently following the new EF corporate design
code. Classrooms are air conditioned, spa-
cious and well equipped, with new furniture
and audio/visual equipment. The school also
boasts a large 17-seat computer lab, and a
separate self-access center where students
have use of additional computers for personal
email or self-study.
On our 5th floor we have a spacious student
lounge equipped with a study area, student
library, table football, table tennis, 42” plasma
screen, Nintendo Wii console and sofa area.
Our roof terrace over looks the city landscape
and is the perfect place to enjoy the sun, join
an EF BBQ and relax with friends.
Most students spend their free time enjoying
Singapore’s warm weather at the cafés at Boat
or Clarke Quay, relaxing at Fort Canning Park,
exploring China Town and Little India or shop-
ping at some of the best shopping areas and
malls in the world.
The staff
The staff is looking forward to meeting you
on arriv al and welcoming you to the school.
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 measure
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. When you arrive
at the school, you will receive your schedule as
part of your orientation as well as further activi-
ties and information.
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.
Please note: lessons are arranged in blocks and
you may have alternate morning and afternoon
classes. All students will receive 2 consecutive
days off – usually on the weekends.
Orientation
When you arrive at the school you will take the
EF Level Placement test, if you have not done
so already. You will also have an orientation that
will acquaint you with the school, the accom-
modation and life in Singapore. You will receive
your class schedule, a map of Singapore and
other important information about the school
and 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 local area and the city to help
familiarize you with local banks, post offices,
shops, restaurants, and snack bars.
General English Classes
General English classes focus on the develop-
ment of the four skills of speaking, listening,
reading and writing. They also include work on
grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
Special Interest Classes
Depending on your course type you may also
select a number of special interest (SPIN)
classes. SPINs allow you to improve your
English through the study of a wide range of
subject options. Admission to some of these
will depend on academic and linguistic level
and availability of places. The selection of SPIN
classes varies throughout the year and a stu-
dent may not be able to repeat the same SPIN
class. Each lesson is 40 minutes in length.
Class size
The average class size is 14 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
90% of all classes.
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.
5 Singapore
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 offers a University Placement Service (UPS)
that provides guaranteed admission into a
university or college 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 & mealsHomestay and student residence accom-
modations are available at the school. Every
effort will be made to match you with another
student who does not speak your language.
The Director of Housing is available to help you
with your housing needs.
You are expected to keep your rooms clean
and free of damage. You will be charged a fee
for any damages that occur during your stay.
Homestay
Arriving in a new country and living with a new
family can often be a strange experience but
you should settle in once you have adjusted
to the Singapore way of life. Homestay ac-
commodation not only helps students with
their English study, but also enhances your
enjoyment of your stay by giving you a real
Singaporean experience. Remember, you are
not staying in a hotel; you should have com-
mitment, flexibility, a sense of responsibility, an
open mind and willingness to share.
Families choose to host international stu-
dents 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 family will respect
the student. As you get an in-depth look at
Singapore life, you will realize that Singaporean
culture is not the same as your culture, and
therefore, family 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.
There is no stereotypical family. Host families
may consist of 1) mother and father without
children, 2) single mother with children, 3)
mother, father and children, 4) retired couple,
5) widowed woman, or 6) single father with
children.
Unless you have paid the single supplement
and a single placement has been confirmed
to you by EF, you will be placed in a twin room
with another student. You are responsible for
all transportation costs to and from the host’s
home. You may be placed up to one hour away
from the school. At the homestay, all long dis-
tance calls should be made using a calling card.
Prepaid cards are available at local shops.
The host will provide bed linens and towels.
You will need to provide your own personal
toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, tissues,
etc.) You will be responsible for keeping your
room clean, doing your own laundry, and
completing light housework as a member of
the household.
EF carefully chooses appropriate homestays
for its students and requires a long-term com-
mitment from hosts. Therefore, changing hosts
is considered a very serious matter and will
only be considered by the Housing Coordina-
tor as a last resort.
Meals in a homestay
Students staying in a homestay will have break-
fast and dinner every day of the week provided
by the host. Students are responsible for buying
their own lunch during the week, Monday
through Friday. All meals for homestay students
will be provided at home on the weekends.
Student Residence
Residential accommodation is offered in our se-
lection of International Student Residences and
Hostels located a short distance on public trans-
port to the school. All residences offer excellent
facilities, which are available to all residents
including: a personal study area or desk, Internet
6 Singapore
access, community facilities and TV lounge.
All students will be required to pay a non-
refundable administration fee upon arrival ($50-
$55) and a security deposit on arrival which will
be refunded on departure if the room is left in a
clean and undamaged condition.
z Student International Campus $300 deposit
& $53.50 administration fee
z Radius International City Lodge $150 (up to 3
weeks) or $400 (4 weeks or more) deposit &
$50 administration fee
z Vinga International Student Hostel $100
deposit per week & $30 administration fee
Linen will be provided and washed on a regular
basis for you. Students will be responsible for
keeping their rooms clean and tidy. Smoking is
not allowed in any part of the building or in the
residence grounds.
Meals in a student residence
At Vinga International Student Hostel there is a
small stove to prepare your own meals, though
cooking utensils are not provided. There are
no meals available for purchase at Singapore
International Campus and Radius International
City Lodge, and no self catering facilities are
provided. There are good and affordable res-
taurants and cafés located a short walk from
all three residences.
8. Money MattersCurrency
The Singapore dollar (SGD$) is the basic mon-
etary unit in Singapore. Paper currency comes
in denominations (values) of $2, $5, $10, $50,
$100 and $1000 and $10,000. Coins come in
denominations of $.01, $.05, $.10, $.20 and
$.50 and $1.
Banking
If you are here for 6months or longer you
should open a bank account at the start of your
course. During orientation, the EF staff will be
on hand to help you open one with a local bank.
Money for expenses
Just like in any other big city, you should not
carry a large amount of cash around with you in
Singapore. 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
traveler’s checks. You will need about $200-
$300 SGD a week to spend, especially if you
want to take part in excursions and trips.
There are a number of banks near the school
where you can change money and cash
traveler’s checks; they are normally open from
9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Saturday, but it’s
a good idea to cash some traveler’s checks at
the airport when you first arrive.
You will also need to take money for learning
materials used in class and for any language
proficiency exams you plan to take.
Credit cards
We strongly recommend that students travel
with either a Visa or Master Card. Credit cards
enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms, pay
for exams and do various activities which may
be more difficult with cash or traveler’s checks.
If you want to use your credit card to withdraw
Singaporean money from an automatic teller
machine, you should only use machines in
Singapore that are attached to a bank. If the
machine is attached to a bank and the ma-
chine 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.
9. Phones, faxes & InternetTelephone
Public payphones are available and calls
may be made with coins, a credit card or a
telephone card. Instructions are given in each
telephone box. Local shops sell phone cards,
which are a very cheap and convenient way
of phoning overseas from public and private
phones in Singapore. Please use these phone
cards when phoning from your homestay or ask
your parents/friends to call you. We recommend
that students expecting to stay for a long period
of time come with or purchase a mobile phone.
Telephone numbers in Singapore generally
consist of 8 numbers. Due to the small size
of Singapore, there are no long distance calls
within Singapore. Most mobile phone numbers
will start with the numbers 8 or 9.
How to dial
For local calls you don’t need to dial the area
code - just the subscriber’s number.
For international calls, you need to dial 001 fol-
lowed 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 8000-111-
111 or 8000-112-112 t0 speak with 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.
Directory Inquiries
If you don’t know the number you need to call,
you should dial 100 for the local Operator, and
104 for the international Operator assistance.
Fax
All EF schools use fax machines to conduct
business. You can send faxes from the school
at a cost of $5 SGD per page. The school can
receive faxes for you and does not charge for
this service.
Internet
There is a fully equipped iLab computer suite
and two Internet kiosks located on the 2nd and
3rd floor. There is also Wi-Fi access throughout
the school. Students may bring their laptops
and are able to use the free wireless internet
access in the student lounge areas.
You can also set up a hotmail, gmail or yahoo
account via the school’s student computer
center, in order to send and receive emails
during your stay. It is a good idea to bring the
email addresses of your family and friends with
you so that you can send them your new email
address. If you already have an existing web
email account, you should be able to access
your existing account from Singapore.
10. Health Care & InsuranceIf you feel ill while you are in Singapore, talk to
your homestay hosts or the EF staff. They will
arrange for you to see a doctor. We strongly
advise you to get travel insurance before you
leave. If you have any personal problems,
there is always someone who you can talk to
confidentially.
7 Singapore
Immunizations
EF requires that all students attending EF
Singapore carry proof that he or she has been
immunized against measles I and II, polio,
TBC, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus
if necessary. 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
may be required upon arrival in Singapore to
obtain the immunizations at a local hospital or
be refused entry to the country (this amount is
not covered by insurance).
Insurance
All students traveling to Singapore are encour-
aged to have travel and medical insurance
upon starting their program of study.
Read your insurance policy document carefully
before you leave home and bring all relevant
documents with you when you come to
Singapore.
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 & ExcursionsActivity 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 cost of
the course.
Weekly activities
There is a weekly program of activities at EF
Singapore – BBQ’s, visits to the Singapore
Flyer, China Town, the National Museum of
Singapore, the Asian Civilization Museum,
cinema nights, sports and more - at either no
cost or minimal cost. The Activities Coordinator
will also organise sports games, Wii tourna-
ments and excursions depending on student
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. Some of these
excursions will be free of charge while others
will be at an additional cost. The number of trips
and the cost depend upon the time of year and
the number of students wishing to participate.
Other activities in the area include:
z Nature walks through the Botanic Gardens or
Nature reserves
z Bike rentals along the East Coast Parkway
z Shopping along the World-famous Orchard
road
z Martial Arts classes
12. TransportationPublic transportation
The public transport in Singapore is excel-
lent, frequent and air-conditioned! There are
currently 4 Underground MRT Train lines, and
a wide ranges of buses to all destinations, and
a light rail system on the North of the island.
Taxis are also cheap and plentiful. To travel
on public transport simply purchase an ezlink
travel card for $15 (including $10 of travel
credit). You can then top this card up with ad-
ditional funds at any MRT station.
All forms of transportation are a short walk
from the EF school. The Clarke Quay MRT train
station is two-minute walk from the school;
buses pick up passengers on the next block.
The weekly cost of travel from school to home
will cost between $15 and $25 SGD. Ask your
host family to advise you on the best way to
travel to and from the school.
13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a
new experience. Remember that many of your
expectations may have been formed by the
unreal world of TV and movies. Arrive at your
course center with an open mind!
What you can expect from EF:
z Supportive staff, available for guidance and
encouragement.
z An academic program which combines
language, special interest, and culture-
oriented classes.
z Full program of local activities and excursions
at special EF rates.
z Accommodation in either homestay or stu-
dent residence.
z All designated meals.
z EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for
Academic Year Abroad students with 80%
attendance per term and good academic
standing and academic records
z EF Course Certificate for International
Language Students with 90% 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 90% 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 meal plan;
breakfast and dinner at home Monday-Friday
and all meals on the weekends.
z Access to the school in approximately one
hour by public transportation. All transporta-
tion costs are your responsibility.
14. Singapore culture & living tipsPassport and Visa requirements
Everyone entering Singapore needs to hold a
8 Singapore
current passport and when necessary, an appro-
priate visa. Students coming to study on an Eng-
lish course of 4 weeks or fewer can usually enter
Singapore on a Tourist Visa. Students coming for
longer courses will need to enter on a Student
Visa and will have to be a full-time student.
Student’s Personal Information
The school may make student’s personal
information details available to the Ministry of
Education and the Immigration Checkpoint
Authority and the Consumer Affairs Association
as required.
Food
The multi-ethnic nature of the Singaporean
culture is perhaps best exhibited in the variety
of food enjoyed by Singaporeans. Their food is
influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, In-
dian and Western cuisines. You can’t go home
without trying the famous Chilli crab, Singapore
noodles and Laksa Soup! Experience the
traditional local Hawker stalls and Hawker food
centers that are prominent around the city and
offer unbelievable value and great food!
Mail (Singpost)
The mail service in Singapore is relatively
inexpensive 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:
133 New Bridge Road,
Chinatown Point
Singapore 059413
Hours
Mon - Fri: 9.30 am - 6.00 pm
Sat: 9.30 am - 2.00 pm
Sun & all public holidays: Closed
Alcohol
The legal age for purchase and/or consump-
tion of alcohol is 18years old. You will be
expected to show identification (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. There are also very
strict rules regarding “driving under the influ-
ence” of alcohol.
Smoking
Over the past few years, smoking is consid-
ered more and more a health hazard to those
who smoke and those people around smok-
ers. 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. EF
Singapore is 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. You must be 18
to buy tobacco products in Singapore.
Appliances
Electrical sockets in Singapore operate on 230
volts so, if you come from a country, which
operates on a different voltage, you will need
a transformer before you use your equipment.
You might also need an adaptor for any fitted
plugs. These can be bought in Singapore.
Tipping
Tipping is not overly common in Singapore,
and the government actually does not encour-
age tipping, so it’s not always expected. If you
have taken a longer taxi ride, you can round
up to the nearest dollar if the driver has been
good – but again these is usually no expecta-
tion of a tip. Major shops charge a 5% Goods
and Services Tax, with an additional 10%
service charge in restaurants, and 1% govern-
ment tax added to hotel bills.
Sales Tax
Expect to pay 7% sales tax on your purchases.
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
In general, the following rules apply:
z Department stores and shopping malls:
Monday to Saturday 10am to 11pm in the big
department stores.
Sunday 10pm to 10pm
z Supermarkets: Monday to Saturday 9am to 11pm
Sunday 9am to 9pm some 24 hours.
z Small retail stores and grocery stores may
close every night at 6pm, not open on
Sunday
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 com-
munity 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.
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
yourself with things that are familiar to you,
9 Singapore
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.
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.
C
hec
klis
t
Important telephone numbers
16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays
The EF International Language Center in Sin-
gapore 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
orientation schedule.
2012
1 January - New Year’s Day
23-24 January - Chinese New Year
6 April - Good Friday
1 May - Labour Day
6 May - Vesak Day
9 August - National Day
19 August - Hari Raya Puasa
26 October - Hari Raya Haji
13 November - Deepavali
25 December - Christmas Day
2013
1 January - New Year’s Day
11-12 February - Chinese New Year
29 March - Good Friday
1 May - Labour Day
25 May - Vesak Day
9 August - National Day
TBD - Hari Raya Puasa
TBD - Hari Raya Haji
4 November - Deepavali
25 December - 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
Singapore but you must keep it and your
other documents in a safe place while you
are in the country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
with proof of insurance in English, if you
have secured Erika Travel Insurance from
EF, you do not need to have anything
translated.
■ Immunization documents with a copy of
them in English
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on hiring or buying a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number:
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number:
_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+65 9113 3467 _________________________________________
Additional notes or numbers:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number
_________________________________________