Predeparture Quito AYA 2012

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.

Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFQuito

QuitoOne of South America’s most stunning cities, Quito

offers students of Spanish an exotic experience.

Enjoy Quito’s mix of traditional and modern styles

while taking classes at EF’s contemporary, highly

individualised school.

Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de EspañolQuito Catalina Aldaz 363 y PortugalQuito, EcuadorTel: +(593) 22 271 140

EF Quito

Section ..Topic

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

2 ........ Welcome to Ecuador

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 ...... Ecuadorian culture & living tips

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

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

17 ...... Checklist

Contents - Quito

Dear Student

Welcome to the EF International School of Spanish! Your

time abroad will certainly be memorable. You will learn

and grow in many ways, as your academic experience

at EF will be coupled with a linguistic, cultural and

social experience.

Your time with us will be full of new challenges, adven-

tures and opportunities. From the time you arrive at the

airport, a new language and culture will surround you.

You will adopt a new primary language of communica-

tion as you make friends and share your own culture

with classmates, and with your new Ecuadorian friends.

Everyone here at EF is looking forward to welcoming

you to Ecuador, and we will be there to share in your

adventure and help ensure that your stay is an unforget-

table experience!

Kind regards

Isabel Reyes, School Director

EF International Language Center, Quito

3 Quito, Ecuador

2. Welcome to Quito, EcuadorQuito, the capital of Ecuador, lies beneath a

range of volcanoes that rise up into the blue

Andean sky. As the equator is just kilometres

to the north, the sun’s rays fall perpendicularly

in this region, and therefore visitors are advised

to wear sunglasses and sunscreen at the

brightest times of day. The city is on the same

site as the ancient capital of the Shyris, who

fought against the invading Incas for seventeen

years. Located on the slopes of the volcano

Pichincha, Quito was built in an architectural

setting of outstanding baroque beauty. To this

day, churches, convents, cloisters, houses and

squares are still places full of art and history.

UNESCO declared this city part of the Cultural

Heritage of Mankind in 1978.

Discovering Quito is an adventure that doesn’t

end in its historical centre. The artistic and

cultural expressions have spread northwards,

becoming one with the skyscrapers, charm-

ing scenery, theatres, cafes, handicraft shops,

parks, museums, bars and discos in the

northern modern part of the city. Ecuador is a

country that is still developing. In Quito, you will

find modern office buildings, shopping malls,

fancy restaurants, new cars, a well-developed

communication infrastructure with, but at the

same time, you will at times experience power

failures, water shortages, and problems with

telephone and fax lines. When you come to

Quito, please be flexible and be prepared to

adjust your expectations, as you will not always

have access to the same conveniences as

at home.

Country facts at a glance

❚ Area: 275.830 Km

❚ Population: approx. 12 million inhabitants,

60% located in rural areas

❚ Capital City: Quito, approx. 1.8 million inhabit-

ants. The commercial centre is Guayaquil,

with approx. 2.5 million inhabitants.

❚ Language: Official language is Spanish

Other languages: Quichua and other local

dialects.

❚ Government Organization: Republic, divided

in 21 provinces. The President, elected for a

4-year period, is the head of the government.

❚ Religion: 95% Catholic

❚ Borders: to the north, Colombia; to the

south and east, Peru; to the west, the Pacific

Ocean.

❚ Highest Mountains: Chimborazo 6310 m

Highest Volcano: Cotopaxi 5897m.

❚ Main Rivers: Napo 855 km, Pastaza 645km,

Aguarico 600 km.

❚ Islands: Galapagos

3. Weather WatchThe climate forms part of the highly original

landscape of Quito: spring-like mornings

when the sun lights up the snow on the top of

Cotopaxi, Cayambe or Antisana, and then cool,

rainy afternoons. The temperature can vary be-

tween 8°C and 20°C in a matter of hours, and

there are varying amounts of rainfall depending

on the time of year. From October to February,

you will have low temperatures, so please be

sure you bring warm clothes.

The equator runs right through Ecuador, so

most of the country is located in the tropics.

However, due to altitude differences, each

region has its own climate and vegetation. In

the Andes (where Quito is located), tempera-

tures vary from pleasant and mild to cold and

raw in its very high altitude 2,800 meters (9,000

feet). The rainy season is from October to May,

with almost daily rain showers, especially in the

afternoons. The rest of the year has less rainfall.

On the Pacific coast and throughout the jungle

to the east, the weather is warm and humid -

very different from the climate in Quito.

Average temperatures in Ecuador

❚ Guayaquil 5m/coastal

Average temperature in January: 27°C

Average temperature in July: 25°C

❚ Esmeraldas 5m/coastal


Average temperature in June: 22°C

❚ Cuenca 2530m/mountain



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 Quito, Ecuador

❚ Quito 2850m



Temperature conversion

Celsius to Fahrenheit (15 °C x 1.8) + 32 = 59 °F

Fahrenheit to Celsius (54 °F - 32) / 1.8 = 12,2 °C

4. Travel & TransferTransfer Service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can

be confusing. For this reason, EF offers one-

way transfer service, for an additional fee, from

Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito to

your homestay or residence depending on the

time of your arrival. We 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 of arrival).

When you arrive at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre

International Airport, you will have to first go

through customs. You will then pick your lug-

gage up and go through the area where you

should look for the EF Greeter. He or she will

be wearing an EF T-shirt and/or carrying an EF

sign. If for some reason you cannot find the

EF Greeter, after 20 minutes please go to a

telephone and call the EF school office. After

office hours, call the school emergency mobile

phone. *Please note you will receive these im-

portant contact numbers before your departure

from your local EF office.

If none of the solutions above work. Take a taxi

from the airport and give them your homestay

address. The airport is in the city very close

to the school, and is in a safe area. You might

also try to call your homestay hosts.

Arriving independently

If you would like to take a taxi to the school,

follow the signs from the baggage claim area

outside to the taxi stand. Be sure to get into an

authorised yellow taxi. A taxi ride to the school

will take approx imately 10 minutes and will cost

about USD$8. The school offices are open from

9 am to 6 pm.

5. School InformationThe EF International School of Spanish can be

found in the beautiful residential part of town

in the heart of the northern and modern part

of Quito. It is 15 minutes from the old Colonial

centre and is surrounded by Quito’s largest

park where you can walk, play basketball,

tennis, soccer, or simply relax and enjoy the

mountainous scenery.

The school facilities are located in the lovely EF

building, boasting bright, modern classrooms

and a multimedia room which you can be used

outside of your class time, during specific posted

hours, simply ask the administrative staff.

Once classes are finished for the day, students

may enjoy student common areas to meet and

practice the day’s Spanish lesson with friends,

watch TV, play video games on our flat screen,

play volleyball, soccer in our soccer field or just

relax. There is also a student cafe where students

and staff can purchase refreshments and an

English school for the local Ecuadorians. You

will have the opportunity to interact with these

Ecuadorians on a daily basis in the school by

taking part in our Language Partner Programme,

Life Club activities or even by studying English

(additional cost).

EF staff

A staff consisting of an Administrative Coordi-

nator, an Academic Coordinator and qualified

teachers of Spanish as a Second Language,

assist the School Director. There is also an

Activities Coordinator who helps students with

personal travel plans and organises EF activi-

ties and excursions.

6. AcademicsThe EF academic programme gives students

the opportunity to study the Spanish language

and the Ecuadorian culture for as long and with

as much intensity as suits the student and

his or her needs. Intensive, Exam Prepara-

tion, General and Basic courses of study are

available at EF Ecuador. All students will attend

grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writ-

ing classes.

Special Interest Courses

Depending on your course type you may also

select a number of special interest (SPIN)

classes. The selection of SPIN classes varies

throughout the year and a student may not

be able to repeat the same SPIN class. Each

lesson is 40 minutes in length, and two lessons

are combined into one eighty-minute teaching

period.

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.

Attendance

It is important to note that in order to be eligi-

ble for an EF certificate, students are expected

to participate in class and must attend at least

80% of all classes.

7. Accommodation & MealsAll housing matters during your stay should

be directed to the Administrative Coordina-

tor. When you arrive at the school, you will be

asked to pay a security deposit of USD$50.

This will be refunded to you at the end of your

programme, less any charges for damages

you caused to your room or to the school, lost

keys or linens, or outstanding bills.

Homestay

Homestay accommodation is available at the

EF school, and is a wonderful way to boost

your classroom learning, by practicing your

Spanish in the evening with your Ecuador-

ian host. Unless you have paid the single

supplement and a single placement has been

confirmed to you by EF, you will be accommo-

dated in a double room with another student.

The host will wash your clothes once a week;

if you need to do laundry more frequently, you

may ask the family. You are responsible for all

transportation costs to and from the host’s

home. Your hosts will provide bed linens and

towels. Please note that you may be respon-

sible for light housework as a member of the

household and you should keep your room

clean. Generally there will be a maid to do the

major housework.

5 Quito, Ecuador

EF carefully chooses appropriate homestays

for its students and requires a long-term

commitment from hosts. Therefore, changing

hosts is considered a serious matter, and will

only be considered after speaking with the

School Director.

Student Residence

Students who have selected to live in one of

our two EF residences will experience more

independence and flexibility.

All meals will be home cooked. You will be

matched with another EF student to share a

room, or if you have paid the single supple-

ment and availability has been confirmed to

you by EF, you will be provided a single room.

There are single, double and triple bedrooms

in the residence, and each room has its own

bathroom. Rooms are furnished with a bed,

desk and chair. There is also a pool and a stu-

dent lounge in one of the residences. Smoking

is not permitted in the residence.

Meals

Students staying in homestays and in the resi-

dence will have breakfast and dinner Monday

through Friday, and three meals per day on the

weekends. Students are responsible for buying

their own lunch during the school week.

Homestay hosts will only provide your meals

when you are home to participate. Please be

sure to call your hosts if you do not plan to be

home for dinner. There will be no refund for

meals not taken at home with your family. The

cost of a typical lunch is USD$4.00. In a nice

restaurant, lunch costs between USD$8 and

USD$15.

Drinking Water

You should always drink bottled water while

in Ecuador. Tap water should be boiled for 20

minutes before drinking. Even if some bever-

ages look tempting in markets – don’t try

them. During the first days you should be care-

ful with everything you eat. Due to hygiene,

don’t drink in markets, and don’t buy food

from street vendors.

Dietary Restrictions

Rice, meat and potatoes are the most com-

mon meals in Ecuador. If you are vegetarian or

if you have special dietary requirements, you

should have already notified your sales offices

so that our Administrative Coordinator in Quito

can make the necessary arrangements with

your homestay or residence accommodation.

Culinary Specialities

Some of the Ecuadorian culinary specialties

that you may encounter during your time here

are listed below:

❚ Locro de papas – potato soup with avocado

and cheese

❚ Caldo de patas – cattle hoof soup

❚ Yahuarlocro – potato soup with blood

sausage

❚ Timbushca – meat soup with cabbage and

potato

❚ Sopa de bolas de verde – soup of plantain

balls with peas

❚ Ceviche – cold soup of different sea foods

❚ Viche – fish soup with plantain

❚ Fritada – well cooked spiced pork

❚ Empanadas de morocho – fried corn turn-

overs filled with meat

❚ Quimbolitos – sweet cake made out of maize

flour

❚ Tamal – combination of corn flour and meat

wrapped and baked in large leaves

❚ Colada morada– blackberry beverage served

during holy days

Special foods served during Easter

❚ Fanesca – thick soup of various grains & fish

❚ Seco de chivo – lamb meat stewed with

potato and rice

8. Money MattersCurrency

Ecuador has been using US dollars since June

2000. It is advisable to bring traveller’s cheques

with you and some US dollars in cash.

Spending money

We recommend that you have approximately

USD$200 in cash for expenses upon arrival,

and the rest of your spending money in travel-

ler’s cheques. These can be cashed for a fee in

Money Exchange Offices.

Depending on your lifestyle, we recommend

that you take between USD$75 and USD$100

per week in spending money or traveller’s

cheques for miscellaneous expenses not in-

cluding excursion expenses. Your spending will

depend on how much travelling, shopping and

eating in restaurants you plan to do during your

visit and on what you choose to do in your

leisure time, most students travel extensively

during their stay in Ecuador.

You will also need to take money for learning

materials used in class and for any language

proficiency exams you plan to take.

Credit Cards

In large cities it is possible to pay with major

credit cards. Debit cash cards from major in-

ternational networks are also strongly advised.

We strongly recommend that students travel

with a Visa Card, MasterCard or Diners card.

These credit cards will enable you to rent cars,

reserve hotel rooms, and do various activi-

ties, which may be more difficult with cash

or traveller’s cheques. Please note: that at

times students have had temporary problems

6 Quito, Ecuador

withdrawing money. We therefore recommend

that you don’t leave withdrawals to the last

minute, especially when you need to pay for an

expensive trip that day.

Internationally-recognised credit card compa-

nies can arrange a transfer or advance funds

much more quickly than a normal bank wire

transfer. Such transfers and advances are

provided for a fee.

Money transfers (wire transfers)

Most students work with Banco del Pichincha

for wire transfers. It is very important that the wire

transfer is designated with a bank account num-

ber, and that your name and passport number

are listed as the beneficiary. A transfer usually

takes two to three working days to clear, but can

take a week or more. You need to check with

the bank two days after making the transfer from

your home country. Students must claim their

money within 3 days of the bank receiving the

wire. Another alternative which is more expen-

sive, but much quicker, is to use Western Union

DHL. This takes about 15 minutes to arrive.

Local bank information

Banco del Pichincha

Avenida 6 de Diciembre y Portugal Esquina

Quito, Ecuador

Telephone (++593)-2- 2452-167

Information needed to wire money

Swift Code of Banco del Pichincha PICHECEQ

Credit to: ABA Code of Banco del Pichincha

066012867

Beneficiary

Student name and Passport number

Reference: Student at EF International School

of Spanish in Quito

Catalina Aldaz N 34-267 y Portugal

Telephone: (++593 -2) 2457-289 /

2259-584/ 2465-335

Fax: 2466-833

International Banks that work with the

Pichincha Bank, Quito, Ecuador

USA: Citibank, N.Y.

Japan: The Bank of Tokyo, Ltd.

Belgium: Banque Bruxelles Lambert

France: Credit Commercial de France

Switzerland: Swiss Bank Corp

Germany: Deutsche Bank

England: National Westminster Bank

Western Union

Av. De la Republica 396 y Almagro

Tel: (++5932) 2565059/2554177

Student’s name

Student’s address and phone number in Quito

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

All international calls must be made from a

public phone using a phone card. Students

may make local calls from their homestay,

provided they are brief. Students must ask

for permission in advance to use the host or

residence telephone if they are making inter-

national calls and should reimburse the host/

residence for all calls made immediately after

the call. (These calls need to be made via the

operator to confirm the cost of the call).

Telephone bills in Ecuador are itemised by call;

each toll call will appear on your host’s bill by

date, location, telephone number called and

duration of the call. Please remember that

outgoing international calls on normal phones

from Ecuador are extremely expensive, usu-

ally more than twice the cost as an interna-

tional call from your home country to Ecuador.

However, if you go to an Internet café you can

make a phone call through Skype. Quito has a

well developed communications infrastructure;

internet service is abundant and economic.

Fax and photocopy service

Students can send faxes from the school. The

Administrative Coordinator can assist students

with sending faxes. The costs are predeter-

mined according to the destination and the time

it takes to send the fax over the phone lines:

❚ Fax to USA: USD$2

❚ Fax to Europe: USD$3

❚ Fax to Asia: USD$3.20

❚ Fax to Australia: USD$4

The Administrative Coordinator will also make

photo copies for students upon request for a fee.

❚ Copy price: 4 cents per page

Email and Internet Service

The EF School has a computer lab with Inter-

net access. Students can bring their personal

laptop to use the school’s Wi-Fi service.

10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend nearby hospitals

and doctors offices if you need medical atten-

tion. For non-emergencies you will need to pay

imme diately in cash or by credit card for any

medical service; you will be reimbursed later

by your insurance company.

Medicine and immunisations

The following Immunisations are advisable:

Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, Malaria, Poliomy-

elitis, Tetanus, and Hepatitis. Don’t forget your

own prescription medicine. For the coastal

region and jungle, a malaria prophylaxis is advis-

able, although it is not necessary in Quito. Be-

fore your trip we recommend that you consult

your personal physician for a general check-up

and medical advice for your stay in Ecuador.

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 Spanish in real situations and

familiarize yourself with the Ecuadorian culture.

Activity Programme

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regular

schedule of local activities, day-trips and week-

end excursions to nearby attractions. These

trips explore the different regions of Ecuador

ranging from the jungle, Highland Sierra and the

7 Quito, Ecuador

coast. The trips give the students an oppor-

tunity to develop relationships with the other

students and local Ecuadorians. Promoting

adventure and cultural exploration, these trips

are organised for all EF students, both long

and short-term. *Note: most activities depend

on a minimum number of participants.

Weekly activities

We have a regular schedule of weekly activities

that include sporting events, museum visits,

fiestas, and other activities in and around the

city. These activities are constantly changing

to suit a variety of interests. The Activities

Coordinator works together with the students

to create an exciting and dynamic schedule.

Weekend excursions

EF arranges weekend excursions and day trips

to local attractions. We encourage students to

take part in the weekend activities as they are a

great way to get to know Ecuador and practice

Spanish. The trips vary each month and will

depend on the number of students that enroll

which also affects the cost of the excursions.

Sample excursions & approximate prices

❚ One-day excursions

❚ City tour, first day (free)

❚ Visit to the equator $9

❚ Papallacta hot springs $15

❚ Full-day Otavalo 8-10 hrs $35

❚ Bike ride down Cotopaxi Volcano $35

❚ White water rafting (2-day trip) $50-75

❚ Two-day tours

❚ Mindo cloud forest $68

❚ Chilcapamba Indigenous community $70

❚ Nariz del Diablo Mountain train $35

❚ Mountain horse back riding $75

❚ Three-day or longer trips

❚ The Amazonian jungle adventure $150

❚ Cuyabeno National Park $200

❚ Montañita surfing trip $130

❚ Baños adventure trip $75

These prices are based on a minimum of five

participants. The trips typically include trans-

portation, accommodation, meals, activity

and guides.

Sport facilities The EF school is a five-minute walk to Quito’s

largest and most beautiful park, where students

can enjoy the following public sporting facilities:

❚ Tennis courts

❚ Jogging paths

❚ Soccer fields

❚ Basketball and Volleyball courts

12. TransportationPublic transportation

Public transportation to downtown Quito is

very inexpensive and convenient from the EF

school. It is a simple five-minute walk to the

bus stop on Avenida 6 de Diciembre.

Buses and Trolleys

The typical way to travel between the different

regions and within every city is by bus. They

are very inexpensive and run frequently, but

they are not always the model of comfort and

modern technology. Always pay attention to

your belongings and your surroundings. Pick

pocketing is common.

Different types of buses and trolleys that serve

Quito and the surrounding area.

❚ Bus Especial: The cost for a one way trip is

25 cents (USD).

❚ Trolley Bus: The cost for a one-way trip is 25

cents (USD)

Taxis

Taxis are also an easy and relatively inexpen-

sive way to get around. You can hail one down

in the street or phone for one. A three-mile ride

will cost you approximately USD$2.50. Prices

are higher after 8:00 p.m. when taxi metres

are not used. Remember to agree on the price

before you get into the cab at night; prices

are negotiable and if it’s too high you can hail

another cab very easily.

Trains

There are two railroad trips in Ecuador (Quito-

Ibarra-San Lorenzo and Quito-Riobamba-

Guayaquil) that make for interesting adven-

tures. Be prepared for some delays due to

the condition of the tracks - railroads can

sometimes be out of order for several days. An

adventurous recommended trip is the stretch

from Guayaquil to Alausi.

Airplane

More expensive, but the quickest way to travel

is by plane. There are daily flights between

Quito and Guayaquil.

Car rentals

Your passport and/or your credit card is

needed as a security deposit and guarantee.

Check the gas tank first, as it may be possible

that your first drive will be to the gas station!

Rental car prices will vary according to the

model of the car and the company. The follow-

ing companies rent cars:

❚ Quito: Avis, Budget, Carritos Diligentes, Dol-

lar, Expo, Hertz

❚ Guayaquil: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Ecuacars,

Hertz

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!

8 Quito, Ecuador

What you can expect from EF:

❚ Supportive staff available for guidance and

encouragement.

❚ A programme that combines language, spe-

cial 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

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. Tips for Life in EcuadorImmigration regulations

Long-term EF students need to obtain a Stu-

dent visa 12V in their home country. You should

get the visa for one year. EF and your local sales

office will help you with your application and

provide you with the documents you need.

Note: To enter the country you must have a

valid passport. You will also need to register

your visa shortly after your arrival in Quito. To

register your visa you will need to pay $14 USD

and give the immigration office two recent pho-

tos of yourself you will then be given an Ecua-

dorian ID card. Foreigners should always carry

their Ecuadorian ID card, since regular inspec-

tions are carried out along roads. Long delays

and even temporary imprisonment could occur

if you do not carry proper identification.

EF Multi-Language Year visa issues

For EF Multi-Language Year (MLY) students

please check that, if Ecuador is your second or

third destination, the visa is valid for the whole

period of your stay. Normally the start date of

your visa for Ecuador will be from the date that

you leave your home country not from the date

that you arrive in Ecuador. Even if you are here

for only six months your visa may need to be for

more time. For this reason we recommend again

that your student visa be for one year. Once you

arrive at Quito airport, remember to get your

“Entry Stamp” from the customs official.

Dress appropriately

In Quito, you can expect summer weather from

June to August. Casual and warm clothes, in-

cluding a raincoat, are needed in Quito for rest

of the year. Expect cool evenings and warm

days. You should always wear sunglasses and

sun block to protect yourself from the harsh

sunrays near the Equator, especially in the high

altitude of Quito.

Travel smart

Unfortunately, as in all countries, there are

thieves. Please be very careful with your

personal belongings.

Electrical current

110 V. 60 Hz plugs (same as in the United

States). If you are coming from Europe or Asia,

you will need to get the appropriate adaptor be-

fore travelling to Ecuador, as they are not easily

available in Quito.

Handicrafts

Ecuadorians have a very strong handicraft

tradition. In Quito, along Amazonas Avenue, the

craft stores are open daily. In other cities there is

a variety of handicraft centres. In addition, there

are several Indian Markets, such as Otavalo,

famous for their handicrafts. Don’t forget to bar-

gain, this is part of the Ecuadorian experience.

Store hours

Stores and shops are open Monday - Saturday

from 9 am to 8 pm. Some small stores close ear-

lier. Newer shopping malls and some small stores

are also open on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.

Time difference

Ecuador is 6 hours behind GMT (seven hours

behind Continental Europe) during April to

October and five hours behind GMT (six hours

behind Continental Europe) during the winter.

For North American students, Ecuador is on

Eastern Standard Time (EST) most of the year,

but one hour behind EST from April to October.

Airport tax

The departure tax for all international travel-

ers leaving Ecuador is USD$40.80. Be sure to

save this amount for your last day in Ecuador

to pay the tax.

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 Ecuador.

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

9 Quito, Ecuador

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

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

❚ Set goals, no matter how big or small, and

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak Spanish at all times.

❚ Remind yourself that you came to this

country to experience a new culture, to meet

others and to explore your new surroundings.

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on

the days before leaving your home country

when you were excited about your new ad-

venture. Try to refocus this former excitement

towards your experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and

changes that take place over the year is to

keep a journal. By recording your experiences

and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able

to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will

have a record of your academic and personal

progress to look back on in days and years to

come. Be sure to note changes in:

❚ Language skills

❚ School performance and involvement

❚ Campus/host adjustment

❚ Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some

music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-

cal crafts, it would be good to show other

students, as well as to decorate your room

to make it seem like home. We have seen

costumes and drums from Korea, music from

Austria and traditional dress from France.

Please bring pictures of your friends, family

and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

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

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012


Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun


Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

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

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012


Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

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

Departure: 9 Feb 2013

September 2012


Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan


Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013


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

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013


Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan



Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013


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

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

EF International Language Center in Quito rec-

ognizes 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

4-8 March - Carnival

22 April - Good Friday

1 May - Labor Day

24 May - Pichincha Battle Anniversary

10 August - Independence Day

2 November - Day of the dead

5 December - Fiestas of Quito*

6 December - Quito’s Foundation Anniversary

24 December - Christmas Eve

25 December - Christmas Day

*School will be closed at noon.

2012

1 January - New Year’s Day

11 & 12 February - Carnival

29 April - Good Friday

1 May - Labor Day

24 May - Pichincha Battle Anniversary

10 August - Independence Day

2 November - Day of the dead

5 December - Fiestas of Quito*

6 December - Quito’s Foundation Anniversary

24 December - Christmas Eve

25 December - Christmas Day

*School will be closed at noon.

17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where necessary)

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 pass-

port with you while you are in Ecuador but

you must keep it and your other docu-

ments in a safe place while you are in

the country.

■ Passport Photos (2) 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:

+(593) 22 271 140________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+593 97 097 827________________________________________

Documents

Predeparture Quito AYA 2012