Predeparture Barcelona LS 2012

Mediterranean Sea

Sagrada Familia

Casa Milà

El Corte Inglés

Museo Picasso

San Sebastià Beach

BarcelonetaBeach

Parc de la Ciutadella

Universidad de Barcelona

Casa Vicens

Bogatell Beach

Estadi Olimpic

Fundació Joan Miró

Museo Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

Barcelona Sants Railway Station

Park Güell

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 Interna-tional Language

Centers in the USA are accredited by:


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.


in Brisbane and Perth are

members 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 Bournemouth are

members of:

All EF Courses are recognized by Hult

International Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

EF Barcelona

BarcelonaA lively city, Barcelona enjoys an unsurpassed social

scene found in its many sidewalk cafes, tapas bars

and nightclubs. The EF school is located in an

elegant residential quarter, convenient to the most

important sites.

Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de Espanol Balmes 15508008 Barcelona, Spain Phone: + 34 93 202 02 08

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFBarcelona

Section Topic

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

2 .......... Welcome to Spain

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 ........ Spanish culture & living tips

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

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

17 ........ Checklist

Contents - Barcelona

Dear Student

Welcome to Barcelona! Thank you for choosing to

study at EF Escuela Internacional de Español. During

your nine months in sunny Spain, we will do our very

best to make your stay with us enjoyable and easy.

We have a lot to offer you here in Barcelona. The

school is in a good location in a lively area of Bar-

celona with excellent sports facilities nearby. Enjoy

studying with us in this beautiful cosmopolitan city

where we have sunny weather most of the year and

where there is easy access to great beaches.

The school staff and I look forward to meeting you

soon and helping you make the most of your time

in Spain.

Best wishes,

Moira Elena Lawlor, School Director

EF International Language Center,

Barcelona

3 Barcelona, Spain

2. Welcome to Barcelona, SpainBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain,

with over three million inhabitants. Fine public

buildings and lovely shops lend an air of

cosmopolitan sophistication to this prosperous

metropolis. There are many large, tree-lined

boulevards, gardens and fountains.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is

proud of keeping up the Catalonian language

and customs. On weekends and special Fiesta

days, there are typical Catalonian folk dances in

the squares, particularly in the old town. Most

inhabitants of Barcelona speak both speak

both Spanish(Castillian) and Catalan. In fact

recent studies show that there is an increasing

trend towards the exclusive use of Spanish in

the city of Barcelona. They will always speak

Spanish to a foreigner, of course. And at the

EF school, all our teachers are specialised in

teaching only Spanish.

3. Weather WatchBarcelona has a mild climate. Winters are cool

but sunny with a few rainy periods, mainly in

autumn. Summers are usually sunny and hot. Av-

erage temperatures: summer 25 to 30 degrees

Celcius, autumn 15 to 20 degrees Celcius, winter

5 to 15 degrees Celcius, spring 15 to 20 degrees

Celcius. Students should bear in mind that most

buildings are neither air-conditioned nor centrally

heated in Barcelona. Please pack accordingly.

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).

Independent arrival

It is very easy to get to the city from the airport.

There are several methods (please note that

prices are subject to change):

❚ Take a taxi to your homestay or to the Stu-

dent Residence. Taxi fares from the airport

cost from to 25-30€. There is a 1€ charge

for a suitcase and an airport supplement of

3,10€.

❚ If you are travelling light, you can take the train

shuttle into Barcelona-Sants, the main train

station, or Plaza Cataluña. Trains run every

30 minutes until 23:45 and cost 2,60€. From

there, you may take a taxi to your homestay.

It will cost approx. 10-15€. You can also take

the metro for 1,35€.

❚ There is also an airport bus, which will take

you downtown to Plaza Cataluña or Plaza

España. It is a shuttle bus service leaving

every 15 minutes from the front of the arrival

terminal, and costs approximately 5€. From

there you can either take a taxi or use public

transport to go to your homestay.

IMPORTANT: If you are staying in a homestay,

please advise your EF office or your homestay

hosts of your expected arrival time. This will allow

your hosts to plan their day accordingly and to

make sure somebody is there when you arrive.

5. School InformationOur EF Barcelona school lies in the exclu-

sive northwest quadrant of the city, near the

Diagonal. A very competent staff of teachers,

Academic Director the Moira Elena Lawlor as

well as Housing Coordinator, Administrative

Coordinator and Activities Coordinator are all

present to assist with questions and concerns.

1. Introduction to EFEF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and so-cial activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language.

EF students come from diverse backgrounds 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 many years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of our students ap-ply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifi-cations for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills.

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 Barcelona, Spain

Housed in a brand new state of the art

building,the school has a language lab and

300m2 decked terrace.The location is just a 5

minute walk from fashionable Paseo de Gracia

and Gaudis famoius Pedrera.Students can

also eat lunch at the many cafes in pedrestain

boulevard Enrique Granados right round the

corner.

There is spacious student lounge at the school

and our lovely terrace which you can use

outside of class.

Staff

The School Director can help with anything to

do with the general organisation of the course

and will deal with any problems of a serious

nature. He/she can also help with administra-

tive problems such as banking, visas, course

changes and insurance as well as with more

important academic matters such as class

changes and examinations.

If You Need Help

Questions about your course can be answered

most easily if you ask the right people. The

following people are always ready and willing

to help.

❚ The Accommodation Coordinator can help with

homestay problems and financial questions.

❚ The Activities Coordinaor is responsible for

entertainment, sports, travel and other non-

academic events. They can give you sug-

gestions of what to do in your spare time.

❚ Teachers and Course Advisors can help with

any language difficulties or study problems.

❚ Homestay hosts can help with domestic and

general problems about life at home.

6. AcademicsThe EF academic programme gives students

the opportunity to study the Spanish language

and the local culture for as long and with as

much intensity as suits the student and his or

her needs. All students will attend grammar, lis-

tening, speaking, reading and writing classes.

First days at the school

On your first day of school, you will be wel-

comed at 8:40 a.m. by the School Director,

and you will be given a test lasting approxi-

mately 1.5 to 2 hours; this will allow us to al-

locate you to the right level.

Orientation

Orientation is a very important part of your

course. It is when you first meet your class-

mates and where friends are made. It is your

first introduction to the staff. You will also re-

ceive your personalised study timetable, details

on the study centre, recreational activities and

information about Barcelona.

Spanish teaching programmes

Classes will be divided according to levels.

Our teaching staff will make sure that you

are placed at the right level. Please note that

Business and Exam courses are available to

students of an intermediate to advanced level

only. All classes are taught in Spanish. Please

also note that promotions to higher levels are

based on class performance, attendance and

teachers’ comments.

Tests

You will take a placement test on arrival. Your

progress is monitored through, among other

things, a bi-weekly test covering all the skills:

grammer, vocabulary, reading, writing and oral

comprehension.

Official Diploma de Español como Lengua

Extranjera (DELE) exams

Depending on students’ interests and levels,

we offer DELE preparation options. There are

many levels – from A1 to C2. Exam dates are

usually in May and November. Students inter-

ested should contact either their local Spanish

Consulate for details or their local EF office.

Course Certificates

At the end of your course, you will receive a

certificate. You will also receive an academic

record attesting to the progress you have

made. However, please note that these certifi-

cates are only given to students who have at-

tended courses regularly. It is important to note

that in order to be eligible for an EF certificate,

students are expected to participate in class

and must attend at least 80% of all classes.

Special Interest Options

General and Intensive courses include a num-

ber of special interest class options. After the

initial placement test, you will have the chance

to specify your preferences for these special

interest classes. Some of these classes require

intermediate or advanced Spanish proficiency.

Also, a minimum number of participants are

required for each special interest class to take

place. The Director of Studies will discuss

your particular needs and wishes with you. All

General and Intensive courses include special

classes on phonetics and additional Intensive

Language practice.

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.

Lessons

All lessons last 40 minutes and are always

taken in Spanish, including the beginner’s level.

The basic study classes are taken in blocks of

two lessons.

Timetable

The school’s timetable changes during the

year, depending on enrollments. Students will

either have a combination of morning and

afternoon classes during their stay, or a morn-

ing or afternoon schedule only. The applicable

schedule will be confirmed during the orienta-

tion on the first day.

7. Accommodation & MealsFor your comfort and safety, please observe

the following rules in your homestay accom-

modation:

❚ The taking of drugs is strictly forbidden.

Students not respecting this rule will be sent

home immediately at their own expense.

❚ No animals are allowed in the rooms.

❚ No open flames (candles, cookers, etc.) are

allowed in the rooms.

❚ No alcohol is allowed in the rooms.

Homestay accommodation

If you are staying in one of our carefully chosen

homestays you should arrive at your hosts

home between 17.00 and 19.00. If you cannot

arrive at this time please inform your hosts of

your arrival time so that someone will be there

when you arrive. Any special requests for ar-

ranging additional nights should be confirmed

5 Barcelona, Spain

with your home office prior to departure. In a

city as large as Barcelona, homestays can be

up to one hour’s travelling time from the school.

Meals: Homestay accommodation includes

breakfast and dinner at home seven days a

week and all meals on the weekends. You are

not allowed to use the kitchen to cook. How-

ever, you can put food, water or sodas in the

refrigerator. You will have meals with your hosts

at their set meal times. 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.

Please also respect your host’s privacy at

lunchtime by eating before returning to their

home after school.

Note: Lunch and dinner times are very late

in Spain compared with the rest of Europe.

Lunch is generally after 14.00 and dinner after

21.00. During school days it is usual to have

a second breakfast/snack at the 11.30 break

in order to keep you going until lunchtime. For

lunch you can buy a something and eat it on

our lovely terrace.

Room: Generally you will share your room

with an EF student of a different nationality, al-

though we are not able to guarantee this. You

will be provided with a bed, bed linens, closet

space, and towels for home use. You will also

have access to a desk or table which may be

in another room.

Bathroom: You will use the your host’s bath-

room facilities. Please be considerate of your

host’s habits when using the bathroom.

Laundry: Your homestay hosts will wash your

sheets and towels. However, they are not

responsible for doing your personal laundry

(although some families may offer to do this for

you anyway). An information sheet will be given

to you at the school with a list of launderettes

that you can; the price per wash ranges from

4-6€. Please do not wash any clothes in the

bathroom and dry them in your bedroom,

instead, please ask your hosts where their

laundry room is.

Note: Most homes in Spain are not air-condi-

tioned or centrally heated; our homestays are

no exception.

Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before

you invite friends to their home. Please do

not expect your hosts to serve meals to your

friends.

Damages: Should you cause any damages to

your host’s property, please inform them imme-

diately and settle the matter directly with them.

EF acts only as a mediator between student

and hosts and cannot assume responsibility

for any damages caused by you.

Telephone: Do not use your host’s telephone

without asking them first. If you want to make

a call to your own country, try to reverse the

charges (in Spain this is called a “llamada a

cobro revertido”), or ask your family to call you.

Keys: You will most likely be given a key to

your host’s home. Please keep it in a safe

place. If you lose it, you may have to pay for a

new lock, which can be very expensive!

Accommodation Questions: Should you feel

unhappy with your homestay, please try to

discuss any problems with them. You may suf-

fer from “Culture Shock” because the Spanish

may have different ways from what you are

used to at home. However, if you have any se-

rious problems and are still unhappy after the

first week, you should contact our EF staff who

may be able to find another homestay for you.

Should you wish to change your accommoda-

tion in any way during the course you must

give the EF staff seven days notice. If you do

not respect this notice period, you may be

subject to a penalty fee.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The currency in Spain is the Euro. The symbol

for this currency is €. The euro is divided into

100 cents (sometimes referred to as euro-

cents, especially when distinguishing them

from other currencies).

Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10,

€20, €50, €100. They will each be a different

color to allow you to tell them apart more eas-

ily. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c,

10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2.

Spending money

We advise you to take about 100 to 125€ per

week in spending money, although this truly

depends on what you choose to do during

your leisure time. You should bring most of your

money in traveller’s cheques, as well as about

60€ in cash for when you first arrive, including,

some small change for telephones, lockers and

bus tickets. 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 that thieves exist everywhere

in the world! The safest way to carry money is

traveller’s cheques. Many places also accept

major credit cards.

Changing money

Foreign money cannot be changed at the school,

6 Barcelona, Spain

but please ask staff where you are able to change

money or traveller’s cheques.

Credit cards

We strongly recommend 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.

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

On your first day at the school, you’ll get instruc-

tions on how to use a payphone and how to

telephone your home country. We remind you

that you should not use your homestay host’s

telephone to call your family, as there is no way

of checking the total cost of the call. Depending

on the length of your stay we highly recommend

buying a local Spanish mobile phone. You will

receive information about this on arrival.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct busi-

ness. You can send and receive faxes from this

machine. There is no charge for receiving faxes.

The price for sending faxes is 2€ per page. When

you receive mail or faxes at the school, these will

be kept at the front desk for you until you pick

them up.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless Inter-

net. Students are highly encouraged to bring their

personal laptop computers for email and Internet

use on the wireless network.

Students are also able to access the Internet and

email in the computer centre according to the

timetable set by the school.

10. Health Care & InsuranceWe strongly recommend that you take out a

comprehensive health insurance policy before

leaving for Barcelona. An insurance policy will

cover you in case of illness while away from your

home country is available through your local EF

office. If you have any health problems during

your stay, please alert your homestay hosts or the

EF staff at the school, either one can put you in

touch with a doctor.

If you do have to see a doctor during your stay,

you should:

❚ Keep copies of all bills

❚ Keep all prescriptions or make copies

❚ Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you have

purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms avail-

able upon request at the school).

Mutual Health Insurance Agreement

Students from Austria, Iceland, Norway, Belgium,

Israel, Poland, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Finland,

Liechtenstein, Sweden, France, Luxemburg,

Switzerland, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, Greece,

Netherlands, United Kingdom, Former Yugoslavia

have a mutual health insurance agreement with

Spain. We recommend that students ask their

health insurance in their home country for an E

-111, -106 or -109 form.

Even students from the above countries should

consider purchasing a supplementary insurance,

since this mutual agreement covers them only

for basic treatment by the first available doctor. A

supplementary private insurance like Erika Travel

Insurance entitles the student to a wider choice

of treatments, doctors, health services avail-

able more quickly, and preferential conditions for

hospital stays.

Third Party Liability Insurance

Please make sure that you have third party liability

insurance. Particularly for long-term students, this

is a condition for obtaining your visa from the local

authorities.

Please inquire at your local EF office prior to

departure, as this type of coverage may already

be included in your policy IF you have purchased

student travel insurance through EF.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with

Erika Travel Insurance, an international insurance

expert. The policy protects you against expenses

incurred through accident or illness, and provides

coverage for loss or theft of baggage and per-

sonal 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

Spanish in real situations and familiarize yourself

with the Spanish culture.

Activity Programme

You will have the chance to take part in a

programme of sports, activities and excursions.

They are organised by the Activity Director at a

minimum cost to the student.

Barcelona offers a tremendous range of cultural

and recreational activities. At the beginning of

every second week you will be informed of the

programme planned two weeks ahead. This

programme will include activities and suggestions

on how best to spend free time. Please note that

most excursions and activities require a contribu-

tion from the students and a minimum number of

participants to run.

Some examples:

❚ Visits within the city of Barcelona: 5-7€.

(Examples: Pablo Picasso Museum, Sagrada

Familia, Cathedral, Joan Miró Museum)

❚ Full-day excursions: 30-35€. (Examples: Dalí

Museum, Tarragona, Costa Brava)

❚ Two-day excursions: 200-230€. (Examples:

Madrid, Mallorca, Rafting, Skiing)

Sports

EF students are able to use the sports facilities of

the University of Barcelona which include: indoor

and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, squash,

football, athletics, and a gym.

Membership Fees: 89€ (two month membership

fee) The fees get progressively cheaper the lon-

ger you sign up but the minimum is two months.

You can sign up at the University Sports

Complex, and you should bring money and

a photograph. The above membership fee

entitles you to use the sports facilities as

mentioned above. If you want to take lessons

in any sport there is an additional fee, the

amount depends on the sport. You can

7 Barcelona, Spain

find out more information once you are in

Barcelona.

EF students can join DiR Gyms at a 10%

discount. DiR Gym is the most prevalent gym

chain in Barcelona, there are many in all the

different districts of Barcelona

Our students have the opportunity to take

sailing courses at The Real Club Nautico de

Barcelona for very low rates starting at 75€ per

month.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The public transport system in Barcelona is very

good. A detailed bus and metro map will be

given to you upon arrival. The EF staff will also

inform you on ticket prices. The best course of

action for the first week is to buy a card with ten

single trips (T-10) at a reduced price of 7,70€.

The closest metro stop to the school is

PROVENZA (L6, S1, S2, S5, S55.) There are

also several bus stops nearby, while taxis are

inexpensive and generally always available.

Cars

We do not recommend that you bring your

own car to Barcelona. It is a very large city with

dense traffic and parking is limited.

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of a new expe-

rience. Remember that many of your expecta-

tions 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:

❚ Supportive staff available for guidance and

encouragement.

❚ A language programme which combines lan-

guage, special interest, and culture-oriented

classes.

❚ A full programme of local activities and excur-

sions at special EF rates.

❚ Accommodation in a homestay.

❚ All designated meals.

❚ EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for

Academic Year Abroad students with 80%

attendance per term and good academic

standing and academic records

❚ EF Course Certificate for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and

good academic standing.

❚ Preparation classes and/or materials for ap-

propriate standardised language exams

What EF expects of you:

❚ To develop a greater understanding of the

world around you.

❚ To attend at least 80% of all classes and to

do your best in class at all times.

❚ To be respectful of your homestay hosts,

your classmates, your teachers, and your

community.

❚ To keep your room and shared areas clean.

❚ To speak Spanish at all times.

❚ To abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of

your host country and school.

❚ As a representative of your country, com-

munity and school, the highest standards of

responsibility and behaviour are expected

What you can expect from your homestay hosts:

❚ A comfortable, clean place to live.

❚ Prepared meals or accessibility to food to pre-

pare yourself according to the meal plan.

❚ Access to the school in approximately one hour

by public transportation. All transportation costs

are your responsibility.

What your homestay hosts expect of you:

❚ Treat the family members of your homestay and

their property with respect.

❚ You will be responsible for a reasonable amount

of chores/housework

❚ No refunds will be granted for students who

choose to leave their homestay for

personal reasons

❚ You must observe “quiet hours” if and when

they are established by your homestay hosts

❚ You must abide by all rules listed in the home-

stay contract (where applicable)

Rules and regulations

You will be required to abide by all local and

national laws as well as any rules of the EF

school. Violation of these rules will lead to a verbal

warning and possible disciplinary action by the

School Director. Any student who ignores a verbal

warning will be given a formal written warning, a

copy of which will be sent, when appropriate, to

the formal legal guardian. Any further breaches of

the rules may be followed by expulsion from the

programme. In the case of serious misbehaviour,

you will have to return to your home country at

your own expense. You will be required to sign a

copy of these rules prior to your departure, which

will be explained again at orientation.

National laws

❚ Everyone must carry identification at all times

❚ Drinking and purchase of hard liquor is prohib-

ited under the age of 18

❚ Under the current visa legislation, non-EU stu-

dents are not permitted to undertake employ-

ment in Spain

❚ Students under the age of 16 may not enter

discos. Those under 18 may enter, but must

leave before midnight

❚ Remember that you are legally governed by

the laws of Spain. 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.

8 Barcelona, Spain

EF International Language Center Rules

❚ In accordance with immigration regulations,

non-EC students may not accept paid

employment

❚ If you leave the programme during the

course of the year, EF International Language

Centers have the right to revoke your student

visa and advise you to return home

❚ You must notify the School Director and your

homestay hosts if you plan to travel indepen-

dently of EF and if you will be away overnight

14. Spanish culture & living tipsPassport and visa issues

You will need a valid passport. In addition,

you may need a student visa, depending on

the length of your stay. Please check with the

Spanish Embassy in your country.

The Schengen Visa (very important for non-

EU students on the Multi-Language Year

Programme or any non-EU students intending

to travel after or during their programme in the

Schengen states).

The following European Countries participate in

the Schengen programme: Austria, Germany,

Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece,

Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal,

Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands.

If applicable, a Schengen Visa issued by a

consulate of one of the countries mentioned

above allows the holder to travel freely through

all of the countries. For any non-EU students

who are not normally required to hold a visa

for individual stays of up to 90 days in one

Schengen country, but who will be staying for

a consecutive period of more than 90 days in

the Schengen countries collectively, either a

Schengen visa or a valid visa from each of the

countries to be visited is required. In either

case, the visa application(s) must be complet-

ed before you leave your home country, and

cannot be applied for through the consulate

in one of your host countries. In other words,

you will not be eligible to apply for a visa from

outside your home country, and would need to

return home in order to obtain the appropriate

visa in person.

❚ If you intend to visit only one Schengen

country, you must apply at the consulate of

that specific country.

❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen coun-

tries, you must apply at the consulate of the

country, which is your main destination.

❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen

countries, but do not have a main destination

or you will be staying the same amount of

time in each of them, you must apply at the

consulate of the country you will enter first.

❚ If you do not need a visa for the Schengen

country which is your main destination,

please note that a visa may be required for

other Schengen countries. You should then

apply for a visa at the consulate of the coun-

try you will enter first.

To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need:

❚ To appear in person at the visa office of the

Consulate General closest to you. You must

submit the application form, available through

the consulate, and a recent passport-size

photograph. Please inquire with your local

consulate to see if more than one copy of the

application form, or multiple photos will be

necessary in your particular case, which may

vary depending on the countries you intend

to visit during your stay.

❚ To present to the visa office your passport

which must be valid at least 90 days over

your expected stay, proof of residency in

your consular jurisdiction, a valid round trip

ticket for transportation, and proof of financial

means to support yourself during your stay.

You should also bring the acceptance letters

from each of the schools you will be attend-

ing in the Schengen countries, specifying

dates of attendance. If you will be travelling

to another destination following your stay in

the Schengen countries for which you are

required to hold a separate visa, you will also

need to present this visa when applying for

your Schengen visa. Further documentation

may be requested from you by the consulate,

particular to your application. *Fees will vary,

please inquire at the time of your application.

EU citizens who will be staying for a con-

secutive period of more than 90 days in Spain

must sign up in the local police station. Once

arrived, school staff will explain how to do this

easy procedure.

15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of

students who have come together to learn

Spanish. It is also a multi-cultural group of

young adults who are eager to share their

own culture and learn the culture of their host

country and fellow classmates.

One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts,

traditions and practices of a specific community

or population. Our culture affects how we view

ourselves, how we relate to others and what we

value as important in life. We are often unaware

of how much our culture affects our lives.

You may have already had some exposure to

the new culture you are about to experience.

You may have seen television shows, read

books, or studied in school about Spain. 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:

❚ 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.

❚ Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.

EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to

9 Barcelona, Spain

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

❚ 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 Spanish at all times.

❚ 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:

❚ Language skills

❚ School performance and involvement

❚ Campus/host adjustment

❚ 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, music from

Austria and traditional dress from France.

Please bring pictures of your friends, family

and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

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

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012


Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun


Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

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

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012


Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 3: (Year) Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Feb

Departure: 9 Feb 2013

September 2012


Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan


Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013


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

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013


Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan



Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013


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

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

The EF International Language Center in Bar-

celona 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 - Año Nuevo

6 January - Dia de los tres Reyes

6 April - Viernes Santo

9 April - Lunes de Pascua

1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo

24 June - Día de San Juan

15 August - La Asunción

11 September - Fiesta Nacional de Cataluña

12 October - La Hispanidad

1 November - Todos los Santos

6 December - Día de la Constitución

8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción

25 December - Navidad

2013



29 March - Viernes Santo











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 Spain

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

■ 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 renting 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:

+34 93 202 02 08________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+34 60 682 1078________________________________________

Important telephone numbers

C

hec

klis

t

16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays

The EF International Language Center in Bar-

celona 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



6 April - Viernes Santo











2013



29 March - Viernes Santo











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 Spain

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

■ 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 renting 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:

+34 93 202 02 08_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+34 60 682 1078 _________________________________________

Additional notes or numbers:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address

_________________________________________

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

_________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number

_________________________________________

Predeparture Barcelona LS 2012

Documents

ef courses

ef nice

ef dublin

ef escuela internacional

ef school calendar holidays17

school staff

school information6

school activities excursions12