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Predeparture Barcelona LS 2012
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Mediterranean Sea
Sagrada Familia
Casa Milà
El Corte Inglés
Museo Picasso
San Sebastià Beach
BarcelonetaBeach
Parc de la Ciutadella
Universidad de Barcelona
Casa Vicens
Bogatell Beach
Estadi Olimpic
Fundació Joan Miró
Museo Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
Barcelona Sants Railway Station
Park Güell
www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above
EF International Language Centers
Accreditations and Memberships
The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,
Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol
and Bournemouth are:
EF Dublin is accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in the USA are members of:
The EF Interna-tional Language
Centers in the USA are accredited by:
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
members of:
The EF International Language Centers in
Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are
accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,
Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are
members of:
All EF Courses are recognized by Hult
International Business School.
Federation of International Youth
Travel Organizations.
EF Barcelona
BarcelonaA lively city, Barcelona enjoys an unsurpassed social
scene found in its many sidewalk cafes, tapas bars
and nightclubs. The EF school is located in an
elegant residential quarter, convenient to the most
important sites.
Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de Espanol Balmes 15508008 Barcelona, Spain Phone: + 34 93 202 02 08
Watch a video
Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFBarcelona
Section Topic
1 .......... Introduction to EF
2 .......... Welcome to Spain
3 .......... Weather watch
4 .......... Travel & transfer service
5 .......... School information
6 .......... Academics
7 .......... Accommodation & meals
8 .......... Money matters
9 .......... Phones, faxes & Internet
10 ........ Health care & insurance
11 ........ School activities & excursions
12 ........ Transportation
13 ........ Expectations
14 ........ Spanish culture & living tips
15 ........ Adjusting to a new culture
16 ........ EF school calendar & holidays
17 ........ Checklist
Contents - Barcelona
Dear Student
Welcome to Barcelona! Thank you for choosing to
study at EF Escuela Internacional de Español. During
your nine months in sunny Spain, we will do our very
best to make your stay with us enjoyable and easy.
We have a lot to offer you here in Barcelona. The
school is in a good location in a lively area of Bar-
celona with excellent sports facilities nearby. Enjoy
studying with us in this beautiful cosmopolitan city
where we have sunny weather most of the year and
where there is easy access to great beaches.
The school staff and I look forward to meeting you
soon and helping you make the most of your time
in Spain.
Best wishes,
Moira Elena Lawlor, School Director
EF International Language Center,
Barcelona
3 Barcelona, Spain
2. Welcome to Barcelona, SpainBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain,
with over three million inhabitants. Fine public
buildings and lovely shops lend an air of
cosmopolitan sophistication to this prosperous
metropolis. There are many large, tree-lined
boulevards, gardens and fountains.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is
proud of keeping up the Catalonian language
and customs. On weekends and special Fiesta
days, there are typical Catalonian folk dances in
the squares, particularly in the old town. Most
inhabitants of Barcelona speak both speak
both Spanish(Castillian) and Catalan. In fact
recent studies show that there is an increasing
trend towards the exclusive use of Spanish in
the city of Barcelona. They will always speak
Spanish to a foreigner, of course. And at the
EF school, all our teachers are specialised in
teaching only Spanish.
3. Weather WatchBarcelona has a mild climate. Winters are cool
but sunny with a few rainy periods, mainly in
autumn. Summers are usually sunny and hot. Av-
erage temperatures: summer 25 to 30 degrees
Celcius, autumn 15 to 20 degrees Celcius, winter
5 to 15 degrees Celcius, spring 15 to 20 degrees
Celcius. Students should bear in mind that most
buildings are neither air-conditioned nor centrally
heated in Barcelona. Please pack accordingly.
4. Travel & Transfer serviceTransfer service
Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be
confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service
from the airport to your accommodation for an
additional fee. We highly recommend that you
take advantage of this service.
At least one month before your arrival, you
must inform the EF Office in your home country
of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight
number, date and time).
Independent arrival
It is very easy to get to the city from the airport.
There are several methods (please note that
prices are subject to change):
❚ Take a taxi to your homestay or to the Stu-
dent Residence. Taxi fares from the airport
cost from to 25-30€. There is a 1€ charge
for a suitcase and an airport supplement of
3,10€.
❚ If you are travelling light, you can take the train
shuttle into Barcelona-Sants, the main train
station, or Plaza Cataluña. Trains run every
30 minutes until 23:45 and cost 2,60€. From
there, you may take a taxi to your homestay.
It will cost approx. 10-15€. You can also take
the metro for 1,35€.
❚ There is also an airport bus, which will take
you downtown to Plaza Cataluña or Plaza
España. It is a shuttle bus service leaving
every 15 minutes from the front of the arrival
terminal, and costs approximately 5€. From
there you can either take a taxi or use public
transport to go to your homestay.
IMPORTANT: If you are staying in a homestay,
please advise your EF office or your homestay
hosts of your expected arrival time. This will allow
your hosts to plan their day accordingly and to
make sure somebody is there when you arrive.
5. School InformationOur EF Barcelona school lies in the exclu-
sive northwest quadrant of the city, near the
Diagonal. A very competent staff of teachers,
Academic Director the Moira Elena Lawlor as
well as Housing Coordinator, Administrative
Coordinator and Activities Coordinator are all
present to assist with questions and concerns.
1. Introduction to EFEF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and so-cial activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language.
EF students come from diverse backgrounds and like you, they have chosen a program to enhance their language skills as part of their academic or career plan. Many have planned for many years to take advantage of this opportunity.
A large percentage of our students ap-ply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifi-cations for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills.
A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission - breaking down barriers of language and culture.
4 Barcelona, Spain
Housed in a brand new state of the art
building,the school has a language lab and
300m2 decked terrace.The location is just a 5
minute walk from fashionable Paseo de Gracia
and Gaudis famoius Pedrera.Students can
also eat lunch at the many cafes in pedrestain
boulevard Enrique Granados right round the
corner.
There is spacious student lounge at the school
and our lovely terrace which you can use
outside of class.
Staff
The School Director can help with anything to
do with the general organisation of the course
and will deal with any problems of a serious
nature. He/she can also help with administra-
tive problems such as banking, visas, course
changes and insurance as well as with more
important academic matters such as class
changes and examinations.
If You Need Help
Questions about your course can be answered
most easily if you ask the right people. The
following people are always ready and willing
to help.
❚ The Accommodation Coordinator can help with
homestay problems and financial questions.
❚ The Activities Coordinaor is responsible for
entertainment, sports, travel and other non-
academic events. They can give you sug-
gestions of what to do in your spare time.
❚ Teachers and Course Advisors can help with
any language difficulties or study problems.
❚ Homestay hosts can help with domestic and
general problems about life at home.
6. AcademicsThe EF academic programme gives students
the opportunity to study the Spanish language
and the local culture for as long and with as
much intensity as suits the student and his or
her needs. All students will attend grammar, lis-
tening, speaking, reading and writing classes.
First days at the school
On your first day of school, you will be wel-
comed at 8:40 a.m. by the School Director,
and you will be given a test lasting approxi-
mately 1.5 to 2 hours; this will allow us to al-
locate you to the right level.
Orientation
Orientation is a very important part of your
course. It is when you first meet your class-
mates and where friends are made. It is your
first introduction to the staff. You will also re-
ceive your personalised study timetable, details
on the study centre, recreational activities and
information about Barcelona.
Spanish teaching programmes
Classes will be divided according to levels.
Our teaching staff will make sure that you
are placed at the right level. Please note that
Business and Exam courses are available to
students of an intermediate to advanced level
only. All classes are taught in Spanish. Please
also note that promotions to higher levels are
based on class performance, attendance and
teachers’ comments.
Tests
You will take a placement test on arrival. Your
progress is monitored through, among other
things, a bi-weekly test covering all the skills:
grammer, vocabulary, reading, writing and oral
comprehension.
Official Diploma de Español como Lengua
Extranjera (DELE) exams
Depending on students’ interests and levels,
we offer DELE preparation options. There are
many levels – from A1 to C2. Exam dates are
usually in May and November. Students inter-
ested should contact either their local Spanish
Consulate for details or their local EF office.
Course Certificates
At the end of your course, you will receive a
certificate. You will also receive an academic
record attesting to the progress you have
made. However, please note that these certifi-
cates are only given to students who have at-
tended courses regularly. It is important to note
that in order to be eligible for an EF certificate,
students are expected to participate in class
and must attend at least 80% of all classes.
Special Interest Options
General and Intensive courses include a num-
ber of special interest class options. After the
initial placement test, you will have the chance
to specify your preferences for these special
interest classes. Some of these classes require
intermediate or advanced Spanish proficiency.
Also, a minimum number of participants are
required for each special interest class to take
place. The Director of Studies will discuss
your particular needs and wishes with you. All
General and Intensive courses include special
classes on phonetics and additional Intensive
Language practice.
Course books
As part of your academic program, you’ll be
expected to buy the books and classroom
materials that you will use in class. The exact
number of books that you’ll need is determined
by your academic level, progress and choice of
special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-
ditional books you may need more money. The
books you buy are yours to keep, write in and
take home with you for future reference.
Lessons
All lessons last 40 minutes and are always
taken in Spanish, including the beginner’s level.
The basic study classes are taken in blocks of
two lessons.
Timetable
The school’s timetable changes during the
year, depending on enrollments. Students will
either have a combination of morning and
afternoon classes during their stay, or a morn-
ing or afternoon schedule only. The applicable
schedule will be confirmed during the orienta-
tion on the first day.
7. Accommodation & MealsFor your comfort and safety, please observe
the following rules in your homestay accom-
modation:
❚ The taking of drugs is strictly forbidden.
Students not respecting this rule will be sent
home immediately at their own expense.
❚ No animals are allowed in the rooms.
❚ No open flames (candles, cookers, etc.) are
allowed in the rooms.
❚ No alcohol is allowed in the rooms.
Homestay accommodation
If you are staying in one of our carefully chosen
homestays you should arrive at your hosts
home between 17.00 and 19.00. If you cannot
arrive at this time please inform your hosts of
your arrival time so that someone will be there
when you arrive. Any special requests for ar-
ranging additional nights should be confirmed
5 Barcelona, Spain
with your home office prior to departure. In a
city as large as Barcelona, homestays can be
up to one hour’s travelling time from the school.
Meals: Homestay accommodation includes
breakfast and dinner at home seven days a
week and all meals on the weekends. You are
not allowed to use the kitchen to cook. How-
ever, you can put food, water or sodas in the
refrigerator. You will have meals with your hosts
at their set meal times. Please be sure to call
your hosts if you are going to be late or if you
are not going to be home for a meal.
Please also respect your host’s privacy at
lunchtime by eating before returning to their
home after school.
Note: Lunch and dinner times are very late
in Spain compared with the rest of Europe.
Lunch is generally after 14.00 and dinner after
21.00. During school days it is usual to have
a second breakfast/snack at the 11.30 break
in order to keep you going until lunchtime. For
lunch you can buy a something and eat it on
our lovely terrace.
Room: Generally you will share your room
with an EF student of a different nationality, al-
though we are not able to guarantee this. You
will be provided with a bed, bed linens, closet
space, and towels for home use. You will also
have access to a desk or table which may be
in another room.
Bathroom: You will use the your host’s bath-
room facilities. Please be considerate of your
host’s habits when using the bathroom.
Laundry: Your homestay hosts will wash your
sheets and towels. However, they are not
responsible for doing your personal laundry
(although some families may offer to do this for
you anyway). An information sheet will be given
to you at the school with a list of launderettes
that you can; the price per wash ranges from
4-6€. Please do not wash any clothes in the
bathroom and dry them in your bedroom,
instead, please ask your hosts where their
laundry room is.
Note: Most homes in Spain are not air-condi-
tioned or centrally heated; our homestays are
no exception.
Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before
you invite friends to their home. Please do
not expect your hosts to serve meals to your
friends.
Damages: Should you cause any damages to
your host’s property, please inform them imme-
diately and settle the matter directly with them.
EF acts only as a mediator between student
and hosts and cannot assume responsibility
for any damages caused by you.
Telephone: Do not use your host’s telephone
without asking them first. If you want to make
a call to your own country, try to reverse the
charges (in Spain this is called a “llamada a
cobro revertido”), or ask your family to call you.
Keys: You will most likely be given a key to
your host’s home. Please keep it in a safe
place. If you lose it, you may have to pay for a
new lock, which can be very expensive!
Accommodation Questions: Should you feel
unhappy with your homestay, please try to
discuss any problems with them. You may suf-
fer from “Culture Shock” because the Spanish
may have different ways from what you are
used to at home. However, if you have any se-
rious problems and are still unhappy after the
first week, you should contact our EF staff who
may be able to find another homestay for you.
Should you wish to change your accommoda-
tion in any way during the course you must
give the EF staff seven days notice. If you do
not respect this notice period, you may be
subject to a penalty fee.
8. Money MattersCurrency
The currency in Spain is the Euro. The symbol
for this currency is €. The euro is divided into
100 cents (sometimes referred to as euro-
cents, especially when distinguishing them
from other currencies).
Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10,
€20, €50, €100. They will each be a different
color to allow you to tell them apart more eas-
ily. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c,
10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2.
Spending money
We advise you to take about 100 to 125€ per
week in spending money, although this truly
depends on what you choose to do during
your leisure time. You should bring most of your
money in traveller’s cheques, as well as about
60€ in cash for when you first arrive, including,
some small change for telephones, lockers and
bus tickets. You will also need to take money
for learning materials used in class and for any
language proficiency exams you plan to take.
Only carry as much money as you need for one
day – remember that thieves exist everywhere
in the world! The safest way to carry money is
traveller’s cheques. Many places also accept
major credit cards.
Changing money
Foreign money cannot be changed at the school,
6 Barcelona, Spain
but please ask staff where you are able to change
money or traveller’s cheques.
Credit cards
We strongly recommend that students travel with
either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards enable
you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms, and do
various activities, which may be more difficult with
cash or traveller’s cheques.
9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone
On your first day at the school, you’ll get instruc-
tions on how to use a payphone and how to
telephone your home country. We remind you
that you should not use your homestay host’s
telephone to call your family, as there is no way
of checking the total cost of the call. Depending
on the length of your stay we highly recommend
buying a local Spanish mobile phone. You will
receive information about this on arrival.
Fax
All EF schools use fax machines to conduct busi-
ness. You can send and receive faxes from this
machine. There is no charge for receiving faxes.
The price for sending faxes is 2€ per page. When
you receive mail or faxes at the school, these will
be kept at the front desk for you until you pick
them up.
Internet
The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless Inter-
net. Students are highly encouraged to bring their
personal laptop computers for email and Internet
use on the wireless network.
Students are also able to access the Internet and
email in the computer centre according to the
timetable set by the school.
10. Health Care & InsuranceWe strongly recommend that you take out a
comprehensive health insurance policy before
leaving for Barcelona. An insurance policy will
cover you in case of illness while away from your
home country is available through your local EF
office. If you have any health problems during
your stay, please alert your homestay hosts or the
EF staff at the school, either one can put you in
touch with a doctor.
If you do have to see a doctor during your stay,
you should:
❚ Keep copies of all bills
❚ Keep all prescriptions or make copies
❚ Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you have
purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms avail-
able upon request at the school).
Mutual Health Insurance Agreement
Students from Austria, Iceland, Norway, Belgium,
Israel, Poland, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Finland,
Liechtenstein, Sweden, France, Luxemburg,
Switzerland, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, Greece,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, Former Yugoslavia
have a mutual health insurance agreement with
Spain. We recommend that students ask their
health insurance in their home country for an E
-111, -106 or -109 form.
Even students from the above countries should
consider purchasing a supplementary insurance,
since this mutual agreement covers them only
for basic treatment by the first available doctor. A
supplementary private insurance like Erika Travel
Insurance entitles the student to a wider choice
of treatments, doctors, health services avail-
able more quickly, and preferential conditions for
hospital stays.
Third Party Liability Insurance
Please make sure that you have third party liability
insurance. Particularly for long-term students, this
is a condition for obtaining your visa from the local
authorities.
Please inquire at your local EF office prior to
departure, as this type of coverage may already
be included in your policy IF you have purchased
student travel insurance through EF.
Erika Travel Insurance
Because security is EF’s number one priority, we
have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made
travel insurance package for EF students with
Erika Travel Insurance, an international insurance
expert. The policy protects you against expenses
incurred through accident or illness, and provides
coverage for loss or theft of baggage and per-
sonal effects. It also provides coverage against
interruption of your EF program due to illness as
well as liability and legal expenses.
The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika
Travel Insurance questions and claims. When you
are sick or injured the last thing you want to do is
deal with such issues. Let us help you!
11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to your
social and academic success. They not only help
you to relax after a day studying, they also provide
you with an opportunity to meet and make friends
from other classes, other countries and other
cultures. Your school’s activities and trips give you
the opportunity to apply your life skills, practice
Spanish in real situations and familiarize yourself
with the Spanish culture.
Activity Programme
You will have the chance to take part in a
programme of sports, activities and excursions.
They are organised by the Activity Director at a
minimum cost to the student.
Barcelona offers a tremendous range of cultural
and recreational activities. At the beginning of
every second week you will be informed of the
programme planned two weeks ahead. This
programme will include activities and suggestions
on how best to spend free time. Please note that
most excursions and activities require a contribu-
tion from the students and a minimum number of
participants to run.
Some examples:
❚ Visits within the city of Barcelona: 5-7€.
(Examples: Pablo Picasso Museum, Sagrada
Familia, Cathedral, Joan Miró Museum)
❚ Full-day excursions: 30-35€. (Examples: Dalí
Museum, Tarragona, Costa Brava)
❚ Two-day excursions: 200-230€. (Examples:
Madrid, Mallorca, Rafting, Skiing)
Sports
EF students are able to use the sports facilities of
the University of Barcelona which include: indoor
and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, squash,
football, athletics, and a gym.
Membership Fees: 89€ (two month membership
fee) The fees get progressively cheaper the lon-
ger you sign up but the minimum is two months.
You can sign up at the University Sports
Complex, and you should bring money and
a photograph. The above membership fee
entitles you to use the sports facilities as
mentioned above. If you want to take lessons
in any sport there is an additional fee, the
amount depends on the sport. You can
7 Barcelona, Spain
find out more information once you are in
Barcelona.
EF students can join DiR Gyms at a 10%
discount. DiR Gym is the most prevalent gym
chain in Barcelona, there are many in all the
different districts of Barcelona
Our students have the opportunity to take
sailing courses at The Real Club Nautico de
Barcelona for very low rates starting at 75€ per
month.
12. TransportationPublic transportation
The public transport system in Barcelona is very
good. A detailed bus and metro map will be
given to you upon arrival. The EF staff will also
inform you on ticket prices. The best course of
action for the first week is to buy a card with ten
single trips (T-10) at a reduced price of 7,70€.
The closest metro stop to the school is
PROVENZA (L6, S1, S2, S5, S55.) There are
also several bus stops nearby, while taxis are
inexpensive and generally always available.
Cars
We do not recommend that you bring your
own car to Barcelona. It is a very large city with
dense traffic and parking is limited.
13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of a new expe-
rience. Remember that many of your expecta-
tions may have been formed by the unreal
world of TV and movies. Arrive at your course
centre with an open mind!
What you can expect from EF:
❚ Supportive staff available for guidance and
encouragement.
❚ A language programme which combines lan-
guage, special interest, and culture-oriented
classes.
❚ A full programme of local activities and excur-
sions at special EF rates.
❚ Accommodation in a homestay.
❚ All designated meals.
❚ EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for
Academic Year Abroad students with 80%
attendance per term and good academic
standing and academic records
❚ EF Course Certificate for International Lan-
guage Students with 80% attendance and
good academic standing.
❚ Preparation classes and/or materials for ap-
propriate standardised language exams
What EF expects of you:
❚ To develop a greater understanding of the
world around you.
❚ To attend at least 80% of all classes and to
do your best in class at all times.
❚ To be respectful of your homestay hosts,
your classmates, your teachers, and your
community.
❚ To keep your room and shared areas clean.
❚ To speak Spanish at all times.
❚ To abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of
your host country and school.
❚ As a representative of your country, com-
munity and school, the highest standards of
responsibility and behaviour are expected
What you can expect from your homestay hosts:
❚ A comfortable, clean place to live.
❚ Prepared meals or accessibility to food to pre-
pare yourself according to the meal plan.
❚ Access to the school in approximately one hour
by public transportation. All transportation costs
are your responsibility.
What your homestay hosts expect of you:
❚ Treat the family members of your homestay and
their property with respect.
❚ You will be responsible for a reasonable amount
of chores/housework
❚ No refunds will be granted for students who
choose to leave their homestay for
personal reasons
❚ You must observe “quiet hours” if and when
they are established by your homestay hosts
❚ You must abide by all rules listed in the home-
stay contract (where applicable)
Rules and regulations
You will be required to abide by all local and
national laws as well as any rules of the EF
school. Violation of these rules will lead to a verbal
warning and possible disciplinary action by the
School Director. Any student who ignores a verbal
warning will be given a formal written warning, a
copy of which will be sent, when appropriate, to
the formal legal guardian. Any further breaches of
the rules may be followed by expulsion from the
programme. In the case of serious misbehaviour,
you will have to return to your home country at
your own expense. You will be required to sign a
copy of these rules prior to your departure, which
will be explained again at orientation.
National laws
❚ Everyone must carry identification at all times
❚ Drinking and purchase of hard liquor is prohib-
ited under the age of 18
❚ Under the current visa legislation, non-EU stu-
dents are not permitted to undertake employ-
ment in Spain
❚ Students under the age of 16 may not enter
discos. Those under 18 may enter, but must
leave before midnight
❚ Remember that you are legally governed by
the laws of Spain. If you break these laws,
your consulate cannot offer you free legal
assistance or bail you out of jail. You are con-
sidered responsible for your own actions.
8 Barcelona, Spain
EF International Language Center Rules
❚ In accordance with immigration regulations,
non-EC students may not accept paid
employment
❚ If you leave the programme during the
course of the year, EF International Language
Centers have the right to revoke your student
visa and advise you to return home
❚ You must notify the School Director and your
homestay hosts if you plan to travel indepen-
dently of EF and if you will be away overnight
14. Spanish culture & living tipsPassport and visa issues
You will need a valid passport. In addition,
you may need a student visa, depending on
the length of your stay. Please check with the
Spanish Embassy in your country.
The Schengen Visa (very important for non-
EU students on the Multi-Language Year
Programme or any non-EU students intending
to travel after or during their programme in the
Schengen states).
The following European Countries participate in
the Schengen programme: Austria, Germany,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands.
If applicable, a Schengen Visa issued by a
consulate of one of the countries mentioned
above allows the holder to travel freely through
all of the countries. For any non-EU students
who are not normally required to hold a visa
for individual stays of up to 90 days in one
Schengen country, but who will be staying for
a consecutive period of more than 90 days in
the Schengen countries collectively, either a
Schengen visa or a valid visa from each of the
countries to be visited is required. In either
case, the visa application(s) must be complet-
ed before you leave your home country, and
cannot be applied for through the consulate
in one of your host countries. In other words,
you will not be eligible to apply for a visa from
outside your home country, and would need to
return home in order to obtain the appropriate
visa in person.
❚ If you intend to visit only one Schengen
country, you must apply at the consulate of
that specific country.
❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen coun-
tries, you must apply at the consulate of the
country, which is your main destination.
❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen
countries, but do not have a main destination
or you will be staying the same amount of
time in each of them, you must apply at the
consulate of the country you will enter first.
❚ If you do not need a visa for the Schengen
country which is your main destination,
please note that a visa may be required for
other Schengen countries. You should then
apply for a visa at the consulate of the coun-
try you will enter first.
To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need:
❚ To appear in person at the visa office of the
Consulate General closest to you. You must
submit the application form, available through
the consulate, and a recent passport-size
photograph. Please inquire with your local
consulate to see if more than one copy of the
application form, or multiple photos will be
necessary in your particular case, which may
vary depending on the countries you intend
to visit during your stay.
❚ To present to the visa office your passport
which must be valid at least 90 days over
your expected stay, proof of residency in
your consular jurisdiction, a valid round trip
ticket for transportation, and proof of financial
means to support yourself during your stay.
You should also bring the acceptance letters
from each of the schools you will be attend-
ing in the Schengen countries, specifying
dates of attendance. If you will be travelling
to another destination following your stay in
the Schengen countries for which you are
required to hold a separate visa, you will also
need to present this visa when applying for
your Schengen visa. Further documentation
may be requested from you by the consulate,
particular to your application. *Fees will vary,
please inquire at the time of your application.
EU citizens who will be staying for a con-
secutive period of more than 90 days in Spain
must sign up in the local police station. Once
arrived, school staff will explain how to do this
easy procedure.
15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of
students who have come together to learn
Spanish. It is also a multi-cultural group of
young adults who are eager to share their
own culture and learn the culture of their host
country and fellow classmates.
One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts,
traditions and practices of a specific community
or population. Our culture affects how we view
ourselves, how we relate to others and what we
value as important in life. We are often unaware
of how much our culture affects our lives.
You may have already had some exposure to
the new culture you are about to experience.
You may have seen television shows, read
books, or studied in school about Spain. While
some parts of this culture may already seem
familiar to you, experiencing a new culture first-
hand will prove exciting. You will be meeting
students from all over the world who, like you,
are looking forward to spending a year learning
and living a language, both inside and outside
the classroom.
As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience
periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are
uncomfortable. Culture shock is what some-
times happens when we try to meet challenges
of our new culture by using the values, beliefs,
and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to
a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-
ences are merely different - not right or wrong.
It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from
your culture to share with other students and
your host to teach them about your country.
Tips on coping with change
Remember that change does not come with-
out some effort! We humans need a certain
amount of stress to motivate us to learn new
ways of being. Learning always involves some
form of change. You should try the following:
❚ While you might be tempted to surround
yourself with things that are familiar to you, try
not to isolate yourself by being only with others
from your home country. Keep reaching out to
your host, roommates and other students.
❚ Put off making major decisions such as an
accommodation change, until you feel more
“at home” with the culture in general.
❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.
EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to
9 Barcelona, Spain
know about any problem you may have so
that we can help you.
❚ Set goals, no matter how big or small, and
accomplish them! You will feel good about
yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the
negative feelings associated with culture
shock. For example, set a goal that you will
speak Spanish at all times.
❚ Remind yourself that you came to this
country to experience a new culture, to meet
others and to explore your new surroundings.
Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on
the days before leaving your home country
when you were excited about your new ad-
venture. Try to refocus this former excitement
towards your experience.
Keeping a journal
One way to keep track of emotions and
changes that take place over the year is to
keep a journal. By recording your experiences
and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able
to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will
have a record of your academic and personal
progress to look back on in days and years to
come. Be sure to note changes in:
❚ Language skills
❚ School performance and involvement
❚ Campus/host adjustment
❚ Individual learning and growth
Keeping a journal will help to remind you that
culture shock is truly a temporary phase
of adjustment.
Bring pictures and items from home
If you have room in your suitcases for some
music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-
cal crafts, it would be good to show other
students, as well as to decorate your room
to make it seem like home. We have seen
costumes and drums from Korea, music from
Austria and traditional dress from France.
Please bring pictures of your friends, family
and surrounding area.
Important telephone numbers
16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule
The Academic Year is divided into three terms.
(See the applicable start date below for your
program’s specific term and break schedule).
January 2012
Academic Year and Semester Program
Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan
Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar
Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar
Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun
Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012
Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun
Term 3: (Year) Mon 11 Jun - Fri 17 Aug
Departure: 18 Aug 2012
April 2012
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 Bar-
celona recognizes the following public holidays
when there will be no classes. If your arrival
falls on one of these dates, please check with
the school staff upon your arrival for an exact
orientation schedule.
2012
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Dia de los tres Reyes
6 April - Viernes Santo
9 April - Lunes de Pascua
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
24 June - Día de San Juan
15 August - La Asunción
11 September - Fiesta Nacional de Cataluña
12 October - La Hispanidad
1 November - Todos los Santos
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December - Navidad
2013
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Dia de los tres Reyes
29 March - Viernes Santo
1 April - Lunes de Pascua
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
24 June - Día de San Juan
15 August - La Asunción
11 September - Fiesta Nacional de Cataluña
12 October - La Hispanidad
1 November - Todos los Santos
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December - Navidad
17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-
sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of
these and pack them in your suitcase
just in case. You don’t need to carry your
passport with you while you are in Spain
but you must keep it and your other docu-
ments in a safe place while you are in
the country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on renting a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name:
________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address:
________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number:
________________________________________
EF School telephone number:
+34 93 202 02 08________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+34 60 682 1078________________________________________
Important telephone numbers
C
hec
klis
t
16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays
The EF International Language Center in Bar-
celona recognizes the following public holidays
when there will be no classes. If your arrival
falls on one of these dates, please check with
the school staff upon your arrival for an exact
orientation schedule.
2012
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Dia de los tres Reyes
6 April - Viernes Santo
9 April - Lunes de Pascua
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
24 June - Día de San Juan
15 August - La Asunción
11 September - Fiesta Nacional de Cataluña
12 October - La Hispanidad
1 November - Todos los Santos
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December - Navidad
2013
1 January - Año Nuevo
6 January - Dia de los tres Reyes
29 March - Viernes Santo
1 April - Lunes de Pascua
1 May - Fiesta del Trabajo
24 June - Día de San Juan
15 August - La Asunción
11 September - Fiesta Nacional de Cataluña
12 October - La Hispanidad
1 November - Todos los Santos
6 December - Día de la Constitución
8 December - Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December - Navidad
17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-
sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of
these and pack them in your suitcase
just in case. You don’t need to carry your
passport with you while you are in Spain
but you must keep it and your other docu-
ments in a safe place while you are in the
country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on renting a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number:
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number:
+34 93 202 02 08_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+34 60 682 1078 _________________________________________
Additional notes or numbers:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number
_________________________________________