Predeparture Malta AYA 2012

Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.com

EF Malaga

Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

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:

The EF International Language Cent-

ers 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 Bournemouth are

members of:

All EF Courses are recognized by Hult

International Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

MalagaCapital of Spain’s sun-drenched Costa del Sol,

the port city of Malaga boasts fantastic sandy

beaches, palm-fringed boulevards, an excellent

art scene, world class golf courses and the best

nightlife on the Mediterranean.

Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de Espanol Avda. Juan Sebastian Elcano, 117-29017 Malaga ESPAÑATel: +(34) 952 29 84 81

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFMalaga

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 - Malaga

Dear Student

Welcome to Malaga! You’ve made an excellent

choice in coming to study Spanish at the EF Escuela

Internacional de Español. Our team of teachers and

coordinators can’t wait to help you live and learn in

this beautiful city!

Our school is located in a beautiful Malaga villa just

two blocks from the Mediterranean Sea. On the lively

beachfront you can sample the local catch, or go for

a jog on the sand. The city centre, just 20 minutes

away by bus, offers world-class shopping, bustling

cafés, and the famous Picasso Museum, along with

other big-city attractions.

Best of all, Malaga is the capital of Spain’s Costa del Sol,

with great weather year-round. The locals are friendly

and hospitable, so you’ll be feeling en casa before long.

The staff and I look forward to seeing and meeting you

in the halls, classrooms and gardens of our school.

Hasta pronto,

Liliana López, School Director

EF International Language Center, Malaga

3 Malaga, Spain

2 Welcome to Malaga, Spain Malaga is a city of approximately 600,000

inhabitants located on Spain’s Mediterranean

Coast. The city’s sunny weather, scenic country

side and abundant beaches have long made it

a popular destination for tourists from around

the world. The city also enjoys a vibrant culture

and academic atmosphere, attracting a signifi-

cant population of international students who

wish to learn Spanish.

Malaga’s history goes back nearly 3,000 years

to its founding by the Phoenicians. The city

later experienced Roman and Arabic rule before

being reconquered by Spain’s Catholic Kings in

the 15th century. Evidence of Malaga’s diverse

past is easy to see. The Roman amphitheatre

”El Teatro Romano” and the Arabic fortress “La

Alcazaba” are two of the city’s most striking

attractions. Pablo Picasso’s house is located in

“Plaza del la Merced”, which is a popular excur-

sion destination.

3. Weather WatchThe sun shines more than 320 days a year and

the average annual temperature is about 19°

Celsius.

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).

When you arrive, after you come out of customs

look for an EF representative holding an EF sign

or a sign with your name on it.  Do not exit the

airport until you have found the EF representative. 

If you can’t find him/her, please call the airport

transfer emergency number which will be pro-

vided to you by your EF office prior to departure.

Delayed flights: If your flight is delayed, don’t wor-

ry, the EF representative will know beforehand.

Flight cancellations and missed flights: Please

inform the school or the EF representative

about a missed flight or cancellation and about

the new flight itinerary. Please call the airport

emergency transfer number, which will be

sent to you from your local office before your

departure.

Lost or damaged luggage: In case of lost or

damaged luggage, you will need to call the

airport transfer emergency phone (+34 610 035

004), to let the transfer service know that they

should wait for you while you make a claim at

the lost baggage claims office before you reach

customs.

Independent Arrival

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

There are several methods:

❚ You can take a taxi to your homestay or to

the EF Student Residence. Taxi fares from the

airport cost from to 25 to 30€.

❚ If you are travelling light, you can take the

cercanías train from the airport to the Málaga

María Zambrano train station. Trains run

every 30 minutes, with the latest one depart-

ing at 00:19; the cost is 1.30 €. From there,

a taxi to your homestay will cost between 7€

and 10 €, depending on the part of the city

your homestay is located in.

❚ There is also an airport bus (Bus #19), which

will take you downtown to the main bus sta-

tion. It leaves the airport approximately every

30 minutes from 7:05 to 24:00, and costs 1€.

5. School InformationThe EF Malaga school is located in the resi-

dential neighbourhood of Pedregalejo, running

along the Mediterranean coast. The school

building is a converted villa complete with an

enclosed garden. Among the classrooms,

lounge areas and computer labs are also the

offices of the School Director, the Director of

Studies, Housing Coordinator and Activities

Coordinator, who are all ready to assist you

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 Malaga, Spain

throughout your stay.

There is a language computer lab at the

school, which you can use outside of class for

school projects during limited hours. The com-

puter lab is also available for checking email

during certain times.

Two main bus lines stop just outside the

school gates that will take you into the centre

of Malaga. Cafés, supermarkets and traditional

Spanish markets, shops of all kinds, and of

course – the Mediterranean Sea – are all within

a five-minute walk from the school.

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

and wants. All students will attend grammar,

listening, speaking, reading and writing classes.

The first day of school

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

comed at 09:00 by a member of the academic

staff, and you will be given a test lasting ap-

proximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This test will allow

us to put you in the right language level. You

will also receive details about Malaga, the

study centre, and recreational activities that will

be available to you during your stay. On your

first day of class, you will receive your person-

alised study timetable.

Spanish teaching programmes

There will be General and Intensive courses

on certain set intake dates throughout the

whole year. Classes will be divided accord-

ing to levels. Our teaching staff will make sure

that you are placed at the right level. Business

and Exam courses are available to students

of an intermediate to advanced level only. All

classes are taught in Spanish. Promotions to

higher levels are based on class performance,

attendance and teachers’ comments.

Exams and tests

You will take a placement test on arrival. Your

progress is monitored through, among other

things, a bi-weekly test covering reading, writ-

ing, and comprehension.

Official Diploma de Español como Lengua

Extranjera (DELE) exams

Depending on students’ interests and levels,

we offer D.E.L.E. preparation options. There

are three levels – from Lower Intermediate to

Advanced. Exam dates are usually in May, No-

vember, and August (only in Spain.) Students

interested should contact either their local

Spanish Consulate for details or their EF office

or check the official website from the Instituto

Cervantes.

Course Certificates

At the end of your course, you will receive a

certificate. If you have stayed at the school for

four or more weeks, you will also receive an

academic record attesting to the progress you

have made. However, please note that these

certificates are only given to students who have

attended 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 Classes

General and Intensive courses include a number

of Special Interest options. After the initial place-

ment test, you will have the chance to specify

your preferences for special interest classes.

Some special interest classes require intermedi-

ate or advanced Spanish proficiency. Also, a

minimum number of participants are required

for each special interest class. 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 beginners’ level.

Language Computer Lab

The school has a fully equipped language

computer lab, however, due to the number of

lab stations available per session, General and

Intensive students will sometimes have one ad-

ditional General Language lesson substituted

for one Language Lab lesson.

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 morning or afternoon schedule only. The

applicable schedule will be confirmed during

the orientation on the first day. The general

language study classes are taken in blocks of

two lessons.

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

the following rules in either accommodation

option:

❚ 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 with one of our carefully

chosen host families, you should arrive at their

home on the Sunday before your course starts

and stay until the Saturday immediately after

your course ends. You should arrive between

17:00 and 19:00. If you cannot arrive at this

time, please inform the family or your EF office

of your arrival time, so that someone will be

there when you arrive. Any special requests

for arranging additional nights should be con-

firmed with your home office prior to departure.

Room: Generally you will share your room with

an EF student of a different nationality, allowing

you to practice Spanish outside of class. There

will be a bed, bed linens, closet space, towels

for home use. You will also have access to a

desk or table, which may be in another room

of the house.

Most homes in Spain are not air-conditioned

or centrally heated; our homestays are no

exception.

Bathroom: Please be considerate of the

5 Malaga, Spain

family’s habits when using the bathroom. In

many houses and apartments, the supply of

hot water is limited - therefore, please do not

use an excessive amount of hot water.

Laundry: Your homestay hosts will wash your

sheets and towels. However, they are not

responsible for doing your personal laundry

( some families may offer to do this for you

anyway either for free or for a small charge.) 

The school will provide you with information

about launderettes that you can use near the

school upon request. Please do not wash any

clothes in the bathroom and dry them in your

bedroom. All host families have a laundry room

- please ask them where it is.

Inviting friends: Please ask your homestay

hosts before you invite friends to the 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

immediately and settle the matter directly with

them. EF acts only as a mediator between a

student and the homestay if necessary 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 phone 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

can also buy a pre-paid phone card or a Span-

ish SIM card if you already have a cell phone

from your home country. 

Keys: You will most likely be given a key to

your host’s home. Please keep it safe. If you

lose it, you may have to pay for a new lock

which can be very expensive!

Meals: Included in your course fees are break-

fast and dinner provided by your homestay

hosts. You will have your meals, breakfast and

dinner, together with the family at their set meal

times. You are not allowed to use the kitchen

to cook. However, you can put food, water or

sodas in the refrigerator.

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.

Usually during school days you will have a

second breakfast at the 11:30 break in order to

keep you going until lunchtime. For lunch you

can buy a snack/sandwich. Please respect the

family’s privacy at lunchtime by eating before

returning to their home after school.

Problem solving: Should you feel unhappy with

your homestay, please try to discuss any prob-

lems with them. You may suffer from “Culture

Shock” because the Spanish may do things

differently from what you are used to at home.

However, if you have any serious problems and

are still unhappy after the first week you should

contact our EF staff who will guide you and may

find another homestay for you if necessary.

Changing homestays: Should you wish to

change your accommodation 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.

EF Residence Accommodation

As an alternative to staying in a homestay, EF

offers the option of residence accommodation,

located in the same building as the school (class-

rooms are on the ground floor, and residences are

above on the first floor). Residence accommoda-

tion is generally in triple or quad rooms. A limited

number of singles are also available upon request

and for a supplemental fee.

EF School Malaga and the on site residence

are very beautiful, old colonial buildings from the

19th century. On the ground floor there are class-

rooms, a student lounge, cafeteria, computer

room, offices and laundry room. On the first floor

there are 11 student rooms. The school and other

areas have Wi-Fi. All bedrooms are furnished with

a bathroom, air conditioning, heater, TV, fridge

and desk. There is a another small building with

the remaining bedrooms. Gardens surround the

big house and all buildings are within five minutes

walk from the beach.

Residence deposit

On arrival at the residence you will be required

to pay a 60€ room deposit. This deposit cov-

ers such things as lost keys, damage or fines.

Any deductions from this deposit will be noti-

fied to you at the time. If there are no deduc-

tions made the whole amount will be refunded

at the end of your programme.

General advice for residence living

❚ As a typical Student Residence, it can-

not be compared to a hotel, so please do

not expect daily maid service and other

conveniences that only a hotel provide. The

big advantage is that you will find yourself

in a generally young, international, student

atmosphere.

❚ By staying at the Residence, you will share

in the daily life of the other students staying

there. Please be considerate and avoid

making unnecessary noise after 23:00. NO

GUESTS ARE ALLOWED IN ROOMS AFTER

23:00.

❚ Your accommodation includes breakfast only

6 Malaga, Spain

(no other meals).

❚ There will be an EF Resident Advisor living at

the Residence to whom you may speak to if

you have any problems during your stay.

❚ Generally, you will share a room with EF stu-

dents of other nationalities. Single rooms are

available, but their number is limited.

❚ Your room is reserved for you from Sunday

noon before your course starts through the

Saturday morning immediately following the

end of your course. Each room is furnished

simply, but comfortably, and you will have a

bed, chair, table and a closet. All rooms have

private bathroom facilities.

❚ Sheets, blankets, and towels are provided.

Towels cannot be taken to the beach or

swimming pool.

❚ Rooms will be cleaned once a week. You

are expected to make your own bed, and to

keep your room tidy.

❚ You will be responsible for any damages

caused by you to the residence or for lost

keys. You will be asked to provide a deposit

upon arrival that will be returned to you be-

fore your departure and after a room check.

❚ There is a laundry room at the residence that

may be used once per week. You will be

charged a fee of 2€ per load.

❚ Incoming calls and letters: Once you get your

room number, have your family and friends

always specify your room number.

❚ If you leave valuables in your room, please

lock them in your suitcase. You are respon-

sible for your own belongings.

Meals in the student residence

Breakfast hours in the residence are as follows:

Monday through Friday: 8:00 until 10:00.

Check with the school staff for lunch and din-

ner suggestions.

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 recommend that you bring about 60€ for

your first days in Spain to cover costs such as

travel to school, lunch and telephone calls.

We recommend that you bring 100-150€ for

each week you plan to stay in Spain. This

will cover lunches, laundry, travel to and from

school, and leisure activities. The amount will

vary depending on what you choose to do

in your spare time, for weekend excursions,

shopping and presents you will need more!

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 every-

where 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, but please ask staff where you are able

to change money or traveller’s cheques.

Credit Cards

We strongly recommend that students bring 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 of school, you will receive

instructions on how to use a payphone and how

to telephone your home country. Phone cards

are the best way to make calls from a payphone.

You can currently purchase phone cards at local

news stands and tobacconist shops (“estancos”)

in two credit values: 6€ and 12€. 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.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. You can send and receive faxes from

this machine.

Internet

Students are able to use the Internet and

check their E-mail at the school free of charge.

Usage is limited to open lab times.

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

comprehensive health insurance policy before

leaving for Malaga. An insurance policy spe-

cifically geared to 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, your accommodation

manager or any staff member at the school,

they 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

❚ Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you

have purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms

available upon request at the school).

Mutual Health Insurance Agreement

Students from Austria, Iceland, Norway, Bel-

gium, Israel, Poland, Denmark, Italy, Portugal,

Finland, Liechtenstein, Sweden, France,

Luxemburg, Switzerland, Germany, Morocco,

Tunisia, Greece, Netherlands, United Kingdom,

Former Yugoslavia have a mutual health insur-

ance 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 avail-

able doctor. A supplementary private insurance

like Erika Travel Insurance entitles the student

to a wider choice of treatments and doctors,

health services available to them 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

with your 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.

7 Malaga, Spain

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority,

we have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-

made travel insurance package for EF students

with Erika Travel Insurance, an international

insurance expert. The policy protects you

against expenses incurred through accident

or illness, and provides coverage for loss or

theft of baggage and personal effects. It also

provides coverage against interruption of your

EF program due to illness as well as liability and

legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When

you are sick or injured the last thing you want

to do is deal with such issues. Let us help you!

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to your

social and academic success. They not only help

you to relax after a day studying, they also pro-

vide 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

Malaga offers a great number of cultural and

recreational activities. Every Thursday afternoon

throughout the year there are tours that feature

the city’s heritage, organised by the Tourist

Board. Please note that most excursions and

activities require a contribution from the stu-

dents and a minimum number of participants.

Some examples:

❚ Tour of Moorish Malaga: visiting the “Al-

cazaba,” a fortified Moorish palace built

in the 11th Century, and the 14th Century

“Gibralfaro” fortification.

❚ Tour of Holy Malaga: visiting the city’s Gothic

cathedral with its magnificent interior, and the

Sanctuary of Victoria’s ancient baroque crypt.

❚ Tour of Green Malaga: visiting the historical

botanical gardens “Jardin Historico-Botanico

de la Concepcion”, an impressive collection

of tropical and Mediterranean flora.

❚ Tour of Malaga’s People: visiting the “Casa

Natal de Picasso”- Picasso’s birthplace and

the “Museo de Artes Populares”.

❚ Historic Malaga: there are Flamenco dance

classes where you can learn the typical dances

such as the “Verdiales” and the lively “Malague-

ñas”, before moving on to “Sevillanas”.

Full-day Trips

Day excursions visit such exceptional cities

as Ronda, Marbella, Puerto Banus, Córdoba,

Granada, and Seville. The average participation

fee for such excursions ranges between 30-

40€. All of this is made possible by Malaga’s

excellent location.

Two-day Excursions

For students looking to experience Spain

beyond Malaga we also offer weekend excur-

sions to places further a field such as Madrid,

Barcelona, and even Morocco! Such trips have

an average participation fee of 150-160€.

Parties

Welcome parties, farewell parties, barbecues on

the beach, paellas in the school’s garden patio

and more! Our Activities Director is dedicated

to making your time with us fun and relaxing by

planning various social events each week.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The public transport system consists of a

network of bus lines that run frequently. There

are two bus lines (11 and 34) that stop just

outside the school’s gates every 15 minutes,

and take you to the city centre (20-25 minutes

travel time). The EF staff will inform you about

bus prices. Taxis are also an inexpensive way

of transport and are readily available.

Cars

We recommend that you do not bring your

own car to Malaga, as the city is a large tourist

destination with dense traffic and limited park-

ing. Also, foreign cars are frequently broken

into as they seem to attract the thieves.

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 that 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

8 Malaga, Spain

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

prepare yourself according to the meal plan.

❚ Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transporta-

tion costs are your responsibility.

14. Spanish culture & living tips Passport 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

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 the countries mentioned above al-

lows the holder to travel freely in these 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 completed

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) stating the reason for request-

ing a visa and the expected length of stay

in the first Schengen state you will visit, 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 par-

ticular 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 application.

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 lan-

guage, 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

9 Malaga, Spain

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

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 remind you that cul-

ture shock is 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

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

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

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

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

Departure: 9 Feb 2013

September 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 2: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar

Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013

Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar

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

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan

Term 1: Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Mar

Holiday: Sat 9 Mar - Sun 24 Mar

Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013

Holiday: Sat 8 Jun - Sun 16 Jun

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

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

The EF International Language Center in Malaga

recognizes the following public holidays when

there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on

one of these dates, please check with the

school staff upon your arrival for an exact orien-

tation schedule.

2012

28 February – Day of Andalucia

5 April – Holy Thursday (Holy Week)

6 April – Holy Friday (Holy Week)

1 May – International Workers Day

15 August – Assumption of Mary

19 August – Patron saint of Malaga

8 September – Our Lady Victoria

12 October – Hispanic Day

1 November – All Saints

6 December – Spanish Constitution

8 December – Immaculate Conception

25 December – Christmas Day

2013

1 January – New Year’s Day

6 January – Celebration of the Biblical Magi

28 February – Day of Andalucia

28 March – Holy Thursday (Holy Week)

29 March – Holy Friday (Holy Week)

1 May – International Workers Day

15 August – Assumption of Mary

8 September – Our Lady Victoria

12 October – Hispanic Day

1 November – All Saints

6 December – Spanish Constitution

8 December – Immaculate Conception

25 December – Christmas Day

17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-

sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of

these and pack them in your suitcase

just in case. You don’t need to carry your

passport with you while you are in 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) 952 29 84 81 ________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+34 680 13 5235________________________________________