Predeparture ILSU Auckland 2012

Auckland Harbour

Stanley Point

Harbour Bridge

Victoria Park

Bayswater Marina

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Sky Tower

High StreetAlbert Park

Town Hall

Karangahape Road

University of Auckland

Auckland DomainAuckland Zoo

Cross Bay Park

Western Springs Stadium

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.

AucklandAuckland is New Zealand’s sparkling North Island

hub, a friendly waterfront city with a gorgeous har-

bour and unrivaled beaches. EF Auckland provides

students with a contemporary, comfortable learning

environment.

Contact details:10 Turner StreetAucklandNew ZealandTel: +64 9 302 2079

EF Auckland

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFAuckland

Section ....... Topic

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

2 ............ Welcome to New Zealand

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 ............ New Zealand culture & living tips

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

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

17 .......... Checklist

Contents - Auckland

Dear Student,

Kia Ora and welcome, thank you for choosing to study

at EF in Auckland, New Zealand.

The EF Auckland school is located in the heart of the

most dynamic city in what is widely considered to be

one the most beautiful, unspoilt countries in the world.

Whether you are here for serious academic study or to

mix learning with travel, New Zealand will not disappoint.

The school has first class facilities and close links to

world ranked academic institutions, where options for

academic study range from short certificates through to

internationally recognized doctorates.

If travel is your motive, good choice. Visit Lord of the

Rings – ‘Hobbiton’, swim with the dolphins, ski and

scuba dive all on the same day, enjoy beaches to your-

self or just relax in natural hotsprings.

Here at EF Auckland we are passionate about New

Zealand, join us and I am confident you will leave feeling

the same way!

We look forward to meeting you.

Kind regards

Sarah Jung

School Director

EF International Language Center, Auckland

3 Auckland, New Zealand

2. Welcome to Auckland, New ZealandNew Zealand’s multi-cultural society is a result

of migration from all parts of the world, begin-

ning with Maori from the Pacific and, later,

British people in the 18th century. And more

recently increasing numbers of immigrants

from the Asia- Pacific Region. The relationship

between the descendants of original (Maori)

inhabitants and the descendants of early British

settlers forms the primary basis for the eco-

nomic, political and social structure of

New Zealand.

Two founding languages and cultures

The Maori, known as the ‘tangata whenua’

or ‘people of the land’, are the biggest non-

European group. A resurgence of Maori culture

and language over the last few decades has

resulted in a new sense of national identity

based on the idea of bi-culturalism - joint re-

sponsibility for achieving the ideals of the Treaty

of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840.

Kiwi culture has also absorbed some of the

rich elements contributed by people from the

Pacific Islands and Asia who make their home

here, so that weekend markets with Asian and

Polynesian food are common.

English and Maori are the official languages,

but New Zealanders come from many ethnic

backgrounds, from European to African and

South American. Multi-cultural influences are

very much part of indigenous “Kiwi” fashion, art

and music. You may be hosted in a family that

appears to be non-Kiwi but will find that they

speak good English and are very much typical

of New Zealand households.

Getting along together

The various communities live in relative social

harmony, with equal rights for all. There is

legislation prohibiting discrimination based on

gender, race or disability. The Human Rights

Commission and the Office of the Race Rela-

tions Conciliator investigate complaints under

the Human Rights Act. If anybody’s behaviour

or words make you feel uncomfortable, talk

immediately to the staff at your institution. They

are committed to providing a safe environ-

ment for you and are trained to deal with any

difficulties.

History

Archaeological evidence indicates that New

Zealand was populated by fishing and hunting

people of East Polynesian ancestry perhaps

800 years before Europeans arrived. Known to

some scholars as the Moa hunters, they may

have merged with later waves of Polynesians

who, according to Maori tradition, arrived

between 952 and 1150. They were not fisher-

man who had blown off course in a storm.

They came in double-hulled voyaging canoes

(pahi) stocked with the plants and animals on

carefully planned voyages. Some of the Maoris

called their new homeland “Aotearoa,” usually

translated as “land of the long white cloud.”

The Auckland Museum houses a wonderful

display of Maori and Polynesian artifacts provid-

ing a fascinating insight into Migration within

the Pacific and early life in New Zealand prior to

European settlement.

The first recorded European to sight New

Zealand was the Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman

who sighted the South Island’s West Coast, on

December 13, 1642. He mapped a part of the

coastline and gave the country, which he be-

lieved was a continent, the name Staten land.

When the mistake was discovered the country

was given a new name, Nieuw Zeeland. In the

late 18th and early 19th centuries, lumber-

ing, seal hunting, and whaling attracted a few

European settlers to New Zealand.

On October 7, 1769 English Captain James

Cook traveled to the country. In 1840, the

United Kingdom established British sovereignty

through the Treaty of Waitangi signed that year

with Maori chiefs. In the same year, selected

groups from the UK began the colonization

processes. Expanding European settlement

led to conflict with Maoris, most notably in the

Maori land wars of the 1860s. British and co-

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 Auckland, New Zealand

lonial forces eventually overcame determined

Maori resistance.

Constitutional government began to develop in

the 1850s. In 1867, Maoris won the right to a

certain number of reserved seats in parlia-

ment. During this period, the livestock industry

began to expand, and the foundations of New

Zealand’s modern economy took shape.

By the end of the 19th century, improved

transportation facilities made possible a great

overseas trade in wool, meat, and dairy prod-

ucts. By the 1890s, parliamentary government

along democratic lines was well established,

and New Zealand’s social institutions assumed

their present form. Women received the right

to vote in national elections in 1893. The turn

of the century brought sweeping social reforms

that built the foundation for New Zealand’s ver-

sion of the welfare state.

Maoris gradually recovered from population

decline and, through interaction and intermar-

riage with settlers and missionaries, adopted

much of European culture. In recent decades,

Maoris have become increasingly urbanized

and have become more politically active and

culturally assertive.

Today New Zealand is a country of interest-

ing contrast – socially and geographically. You

will find a modern and innovative business

community alongside poorly developed public

transport systems. An economy that continues

to rely heavily on agriculture (farming, crops

and orchards) is also developing strongly on

tourism and “export education” enterprises.

It is a café culture with sophisticated dining

and nightclubs, alongside the unspoilt natural

beauty of undeveloped beaches, mountains,

rivers, and lakes. And in Auckland especially,

you will discover markets, shops, restaurants,

art, crafts and entertainment from a multitude

of different cultures often side-by-side with our

own unique Kiwi offerings.

General Information about Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city- more

than 30% of New Zealand calls Auckland

home. The City of Sails is built around Wait-

emata Harbour to the North and on Mankau

Harbour to the south. It is a modern city and

is New Zealand’s business capital. About one

and a half million people live in Greater Auck-

land’s three cities and four districts: Auckland

City, Manukau City (south), North Shore City,

Waitakere City (West), Rodney District (North

Shore) Papakura and Franklin Districts are

south of Manukau City. Auckland is an isth-

mus, a narrow strip of land which separates

two bodies of water: the South Pacific on the

East and the Tasman Sea on the West.

3. Weather WatchIn New Zealand, the seasons are opposite

to those in the Northern Hemisphere and the

weather in Auckland is generally mild.

Summer is from December to February and it

is warm to hot (and sometimes humid). Tem-

peratures rarely go above 25 degrees Celsius

in summer. Autumn is from March to May and

it is generally warm during the day and cool at

night. Winter is from June to August and the

days and nights are cool. It does not freeze in

Auckland: the winter daily minimum tempera-

ture seldom drops below 8 degrees Celsius.

Spring is from September to November when

the days are warm and the nights are cool. It

is wise to bring a sweater to Auckland, and a

leather jacket or windbreaker and raincoat, as

the nights can be chilly, even in summer, and

to carry an umbrella as the weather is quite

changeable, particularly in the summer months

and the rainfall in the region is quite high.

4. Travel & Transfer serviceTransfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can

be confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer ser-

vice 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 paid for an Airport Transfer you

will need to fully exit the arrivals area – do not

turn left to the shuttle bus and taxi area, but

instead proceed right through to the main

airport waiting area. Look for the driver – he

or she will have an EF sign. If you cannot find

the driver then go to the McDonalds on the left

as you enter the main Arrivals area and wait

there – the driver should come to find you. If

you have waited for more than 30 minutes and

the driver has not located you, please call the

airport transfer company (+64 27 4453778) or

the school emergency phone number – there

are airport officials who will assist you if you

give them the number to ring for you. You will

receive these numbers and other important

contact information from your local EF office

prior to departure.

Students arriving independently

Even if you do not want to take the airport

transfer service, you must still inform EF of

when you plan to arrive, especially if you will be

staying in a homestay, as they will be waiting

for you at home. Please go straight from the

airport to your homestay and do any sightsee-

ing after that. The family will be expecting you

shortly after your plane arrives.

If you have not paid for an Airport Transfer here

are some options for getting to your accom-

modation. There are three main methods of

transportation from the airport into the city.

Option 1: Air Bus

The Air Bus (a big, blue city bus) leaves from

the International Airport approximately every

20 minutes, and stops at various points in

central Auckland. Tickets are approximately

NZ$16.00. If you are considering a taxi from

one of the downtown stations to your home-

stay, 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 sta-

tions in relation to our host communities.

Option 2: Taxi

Taxi rides from Auckland’s International Airport

to our host communities cost from NZ$50 to

NZ$75. There are 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.

Option 3: Supershuttle

Shuttle busses are shared transport in mini-

busses that will take students right to your ac-

commodation, but may make several stops on

5 Auckland, New Zealand

the way. Depending on the location of your

accommodation the fares range from NZ$20

(Inner City areas) up to NZ$50 (Albany area).

This is a great option if there are 2 or more

going to the same location, as each extra per-

son to the same address is just NZ$5 more.

These leave every 15 minutes and are located

immediately outside the airport terminal via the

group arrivals area.

5. EF School InformationThe EF school is located in the heart of Auck-

land’s Central Business District (CBD), which

is where many other language schools are

located. Turner Street is very close to of the

University of Auckland campus and adjacent

to the Auckland University of Technology and

the University of Otago Auckland campus,

as well as being surrounded by a number of

student-oriented restaurants and services. The

Edge, Auckland’s entertainment area, is two

blocks away. Ferries and other transport for

sightseeing and commuting are at the end of

Queen Street- a ten-minute walk.

The school is housed in a stand-alone, two-story

building and has been recently renovated to ac-

commodate several classrooms, language labs

(computer rooms), a student lounge and a café.

There are two i-Labs (language lab computer

rooms) at the school, which are primarily for your

i-Lab lessons and self-study tutorials. When not

in use for a class these are available for students

to use the Internet. The school is also equipped

with Wi-Fi wireless internet. We encourage you

to bring your personal laptop computer for email

and internet use on the wireless network.

EF has a student lounge for studying and relax-

ing with friends. Snack food and drinks are avail-

able from vending machines in the café area,

and there are many places nearby where cheap

and delicious food can be purchased for lunch.

Most students spend their free time enjoying

Auckland’s harbour and bustling Queen Street

with their new friends at the cafés in the CBD

or in Parnell, Ponsonby or other fashionable

districts close to the city centre.

School Accreditation

The school has been accredited by the NZQA

and is a signatory to the NZ Ministry of Educa-

tion’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of

International Students.

The school is a member of English New Zea-

land, the professional association for English

language schools in New Zealand.

Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of

International Students

EF Auckland has agreed to observe and be

bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral

Care of International Students published by the

Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are

available on request from this institution or from

the New Zealand Ministry of Education website

at: http://www.minedu.govt.nz. A summary of

the Code of Practice appears at the end of this

document.

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 ac-

quaint you with the school, the accommoda-

tion and life in Auckland. You will receive a map

of Auckland and additional information to help

you get to know the city. Information about

New Zealand’s driving laws will also be given

as well as information on the Code of Practice

for the Pastoral Care of International Students

and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Students will also be required to pay for their

books on their first day (please see section 17

for prices and further information).

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.

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

6 Auckland, New Zealand

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 among many others are:

Drama, Current Events, New Zealand Culture,

English Through Music, Business English.

Class size

The average class size is 15 students with a

maximum of 17 students.

Class Schedule

Classes will be scheduled between 8:40 am

and 5:50 pm Monday through Friday and may

be in the morning or the afternoon.

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. Please note:

New Zealand immigration regulations require

you to attend 80% of all your 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.

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 and TOEIC 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 sev-

eral months in advance. Advice as to the most

appropriate examination to sit for will be given

to you by the Director of Studies. You will be

responsible for the cost of all exam registration

fees which cannot be paid at the sales office.

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 offers a

University Placement Service (UPS) that pro-

vides advice and assistance for students who

want to study at a university in New Zealand or

enrol in a university preparation programme. 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 Auckland 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

opportunity to experience New Zealand life

and also have the chance to practice their new

language skills with fluent English speakers.

Students who choose homestay accommoda-

tion 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 be-

cause 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 New Zealand life,

you will realize that New Zealand 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.

Internet

Not all of our host families have internet ac-

cess available. If the family does allow internet

access to the student they will usually ask for

NZD10 per week to cover this cost.

Auckland is a very multi-cultural city and made

up of many different ethnic groups: European,

Maori, Pacific Islander, Asian, Indian and

many, many more. EF expects its students

to respect the customs and culture of all New

Zealanders as much as it expects EF home-

stay hosts and staff to respect the customs

and culture of its students.

Homestay families are not necessarily made

up of father, mother and children. They can

be made up of two parents with children living

at home or away, a man or woman with one

or more children, or a single person. It is also

very common for a woman to go out to work

as well as a man.

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.

7 Auckland, New Zealand

Transportation

You are responsible for all transportation costs

to and from the host’s home. Many homestays

are located in residential areas to the south of

the Central Business District (CBD). All home-

stay are within 30-60 minutes travel time from

the school by public transport (usually two bus

stages and/or a ferry ride). You may find that

you have a short walk to the bus stop from

your homestay and/or from the school.

Laundry and Facilities

Many New Zealand families have their own

washing 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 New

Zealanders 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

EF Auckland’s main student residence is Empire

Apartments. A modern, recently refurbished

student residence, it is within easy walking dis-

tance of the school. Please note: students must

be 18 years or older to stay at Empire.

Address: 21 Whittaker Place

Telephone: +6499509000

Empire offers the following:

z Units have 3 individual bedrooms and shared

kitchen and bathroom facilities

z Internet connection available

z Housekeeping every fortnight

z Direct dial telephone in every unit

z Friendly, multilingual staff to serve the tenants

z 2 restaurants onsite

z TV lounge and movie-screening room

z Laundry facilities

z Gym

Empire requires a NZ$400 deposit from each

student. This will be refunded at the end of

the student’s stay if there is no damage to

the rooms. NZ$60 will be retained from each

deposit as a cleaning fee.

Changing accommodation

There are three ways in which you may decide

to change your accommodation:

Change from your current homestay to

another homestay

You should speak with the Accommodation

Coordinator if you have problems in your cur-

rent homestay. In the event that the situation is

extreme and the Coordinator agrees that you

should move immediately (or as soon as pos-

sible) she will make necessary arrangements

for you to be moved as soon as practicable.

You may need to pay for the costs of transfer

(i.e. a shuttle bus or taxi fare to move your be-

longings to the new location). In all other situ-

ations you must give four weeks notice to the

homestay via the Accommodation Coordinator.

Change from a homestay to residence

Unless there is an extreme situation you are

required to give four weeks notice of change.

The Accommodation coordinator will make the

booking at the residence. There is a surcharge

(i.e. additional weekly fee for the residence)

and you will receive an invoice for this addi-

tional charge from your Sales Office.

Cancellation of accommodation

This is where you choose to find your own ac-

commodation. In all cases you must give four

weeks notice to your homestay and Accom-

modation Coordinator. You will receive a refund

from your Sales Office, if appropriate. You

should check your eligibility for a refund and

the amount before you cancel your accom-

modation. Please do not rely on the refund to

pay for your alternative accommodation while

in Auckland.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The currency in New Zealand is the New

Zealand Dollar. The symbol for this currency is

$ or NZ$. 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 denominations of 10c, 20c,

50c, $1 and $2.

Banking

There are a number of banks near the school

where students can change money and cash

traveller’s cheques. Banks are normally open

from 9.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday only,

so it’s a good idea to cash some travelers’

cheques at the airport when you first arrive.

There are many ATM (automatic teller ma-

chines) throughout the city and New Zealand

which will welcome most recognized

bank cards.

8 Auckland, New Zealand

To open a bank account, you will need two

forms of identification – a letter from the

school, a minimum deposit and be intending to

stay in New Zealand for more than 12 weeks.

Spending money

Just like in any other big city, you should not

carry a large amount of cash around with you

in Auckland. If it is lost or stolen, it is very

unlikely that it will be covered by an insurance

policy. It is much safer to carry money in the

form of travellers’ cheques or International

debit card.

Students will need about NZ$250-300 per

week to cover the cost of activities, travel,

weekday lunches, sports and entertainment.

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 bank or credit card to

withdraw New Zealand money from an (ATM),

you should only use machines in New Zealand

that are attached to a bank. If the machine is

attached to a bank and the machine takes the

card, you can easily get the card back again

by going inside the bank and asking for it. You

cannot get the card back if the machine that

has taken it is not attached to a bank.

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. Phone

cards are a very cheap and convenient way

of phoning overseas from public and private

phones in New Zealand, you can purchase

these at he school reception. Please use these

phone cards when phoning from your home-

stay or ask parents/friends to call you. Always

ask permission before using your homestay

host’s telephone.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. You can send faxes from the school

but you may be required to pay NZ$5 per

page. The school can receive faxes for stu-

dents and does not charge for this service.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless

Internet and there are countless internet

cafes throughout the city. 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.

Eligibility for Health Services

Most international students are not entitled to

publicly funded health services while in New Zea-

land. If you receive medical treatment during your

visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that

treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-

funded health services are available through the

Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their

website at http://www.moh.govt.nz

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation pro-

vides accident insurance for all New Zealand

citizens, residents and temporary visitors to

New Zealand, but you may still be liable for

all other medical and related costs. Further

information can be viewed on the ACC website

at www.acc.co.nz

Insurance

All students traveling to New Zealand are re-

quired 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 famil-

iarize yourself with New Zealand 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 at either no cost or minimal cost.

The Activities Coordinator will also organize

sports games and tournaments, depending on

student interest and participation.These will be

during the evenings and in weekends. Some

will be free of charge others at cost price

for students.

Examples of Activities & Excursions

z A tour of the Waitemata Harbour Islands

z Bungee Jumping from the Harbour Bridge

z Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World Aquarium

z Shopping in New Market

z Touring the yachts at Viaduct Harbour

New Zealand is a place of great natural beauty.

There are abundant beaches right within Auck-

land’s city limits. There are walking and cycling

9 Auckland, New Zealand

tracks and plenty of outdoor activities to suit

all levels and interests. The activities coordina-

tor at EF Auckland and all of the teachers and

staff will help you to discover more about this

wonderful, beautiful and friendly city.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The Link and other public busses are only a

few minutes walk from the EF school. Informa-

tion about Auckland’s public transport can be

found on www.rideline.co.nz

Buses and Trains

The public bus system in Auckland is reason-

ably efficient. A monthly bus pass from will cost

approximately NZ$110-170.

There is also a free city bus which runs in a

loop through the City Centre (CBD).

The Link is a public bus which makes a con-

tinuous loop of the greater Auckland area every

10 to 15 minutes. It costs NZ$1.60. There is a

Link stop at the corner of Turner Street.

Although the commuter train is not very popu-

lar with Aucklanders, major improvements and

widening of service have taken place. The train

serves many of EF’s homestay communities.

Ferry

There is a very efficient and reasonably priced

ferry system. The ferry building is a ten-minute

walk to the bottom of Queen Street from the

school. Tickets usually include bus trans-

port. A combined bus and ferry pass will cost

around NZ$300 per month.

Transportation from accommodation to school

You should ask your homestay hosts to advise

you on the best travel pass to buy for 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 centre with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

z Supportive staff, available for guidance

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 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. New Zealand culture and living tipsImmigration

Full details of visa and permit requirements, ad-

vice on rights to employment in New Zealand

while studying and reporting requirements are

available through the New Zealand Immigration

Service, and can be viewed on their website

at: www.immigration.govt.nz/forms

Passport and Visa requirements

Everyone entering New Zealand needs to hold

a current passport and, where necessary, an

appropriate visa. Students coming to study on

an English course of 12 weeks or fewer can

usually enter New Zealand on a Visitor’s Permit

(please see the list of countries attached which

do NOT require a visa for entry). Students

coming for courses longer than 12 weeks will

require a permit and will need to enter on a

Student Visa. It is best to contact the nearest

New Zealand Embassy or Consulate fordetails.

The requirements for students coming for

courses longer than twelve weeks are:

z Students must qualify as a full-time student

(i.e. no less than 20 hours per week) for the

duration of the course.

z Complete NZ Immigration Student permit/

visa application including financial undertak-

ing.

z Proof of pre-paid English language course

which will include an offer-letter from EF

Auckland and a guarantee of appropriate ac-

commodation (this information wll be included

in the offer-letter that the school issues.

Please see the following website for up-to-date

information and forms:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/forms/pdf/

nzis1012.pdf

If you extend your course once you are in

Auckland and you will then be here for more

than 12 weeks you will need to apply for a

Study Visa. To do this you will need:

z Letter from the School to show that you have

paid for the course and accommodation in

full for the whole time you will be studying;

z a bank statement in English and with an

official bank stamp or a financial undertaking

form signed by someone who is willing to

guarantee your support while you are here.

This must also have a bank statement in

English and with and official bank stamp.

z and of course your passport!

Going out in New Zealand

In order to be allowed into nightclubs and pubs

students have to be 18 years of age and carry

a valid ID. Official valid IDs include: a passport,

NZ driver’s license or an 18+ card.

Post

Auckland’s main Post Office is located on

Victoria Street about ten minutes’ walk from

the EF school. Students can use red/white/

black post boxes in the street to post letters.

The blue post boxes are only for express post

within New Zealand itself.

Recommended website

z www.aucklandnz.com/index.html

10 Auckland, New Zealand

14. 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, tradition

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 experi-

ence. You may have seen television shows,

read books, or studied in school about New

Zealand. While some parts of this culture may

already seem familiar to you, experiencing a

new culture firsthand 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 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 reach-

ing out to your host, dorm-mates, 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 they 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 the goal that you

will speak only English with fellow students.)

z Remind yourself that you came to this coun-

try 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.

Keep 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 experi-

ences and feelings on a regular basis (daily or

weekly), 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 interesting Items from home!

Each spring students present an International

Fair to the staff, students and community. We

have seen costumes and drums from Korea,

dancing and music from Austria, a piñata

and tortillas from Mexico. If you have room in

your suitcases for some music, a costume,

pictures, some typical crafts it will be good to

show other students and will decorate your

room to make it seem like home.

15. Working in New ZealandStudents can apply for a Variation of Condi-

tions to their Student Visa allowing them to

work 20 hours per week if they are in a full-

time study course lasting at least six months.

Immigration New Zealand has to be satisfied

that the main purpose of your course is to

develop English language skills and you have

an International English Language Testing

System (IELTS) overall band score of 5.0 or

above (General or Academic Module)

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Important telephone numbers

16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays

The EF International Language Center in Auck-

land 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

2 January - Day after New Year’s Day

30 January - Auckland Anniversary Day

6 February - Waitangi Day

6 April - Good Friday

9 April - Easter Monday

25 April - Anzac Day

4 June - Queen’s Birthday

22 October - Labour Day

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

2013

1 January - New Year’s Day

2 January - Day after New Year’s Day

28 January - Auckland Anniversary Day

6 February - Waitangi Day

29 March - Good Friday

1 April - Easter Monday

25 April - Anzac Day

3 June - Queen’s Birthday

28 October - Labour Day

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing 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 New

Zealand 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.

■ 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:

+64 9 302 2079_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+64 2 156 7599_________________________________________

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

_________________________________________