Predeparture Singapore LS 2012

EF International Language Centers

Language Courses Abroad For adults and students aged 16 & above

Singapore A dynamic city rich in contrast and color, you’ll find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture here. Brimming with unbridled energy, this little dynamo in Southeast Asia embodies the finest of both East and West.

Contact details: 15 Carpenter Street Singapore 059904 Little India

Far East Plaza

Orchard Road Raffles

Great World City

Esplanade Singapore Theatre Flyer

Clarke Quay Pearl’s Hill City Park Tiong Bahru Park

Chinatown

College of Medicine

Mount Faber Park

Marina South City Park

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

Pulau Brani

EF Sing

apore

Accreditations and Memberships The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol and Bournemouth are:

The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are members of:

EF Dublin is accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in the USA are accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in the USA are members of:

EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited

by Languages Canada.

The EF International Language Centers in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:

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

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:

EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qualité Français Langue Etrangère.

Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations.

All EF Courses are certified by Southern New Hampshire University.

EF Education is an active participant in the Comité Européen de Normalisation.

All EF Courses are recognized by Hult International Business School.

www.ef.com

Contents - Singapore Section....... Topic

1 .............Introduction to EF 2 .............Welcome to Singapore 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

Dear Student Thank you for choosing to study at EF in Singapore.

The EF school in Singapore has only recently opened, and has some great facilities for you to use, and we’re in a great location. The school is located right in the middle of the Quays district in Central Singapore, just a 5 minute walk from an exciting range of some of Singapore best attractions, shopping and restaurants.

Whether your stay is for only a few weeks or a few months – there is never a shortage of things to do and see, and the staff at the school all look forward to meeting you and making your stay with us a memorable one.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

14 ...........Singapore culture & living tips 15 ...........Adjusting to a new culture 16 ...........EF school calendar & holidays 17 ...........Checklist

Best wishes, Antonio Codinach, School Director EF International Language Center, Singapore

1. Introduction to EF EF Education First welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language where it is natively spoken. Our innovative curriculum, the EF Efekta™ System, integrates face-to-face learning in a classroom with studying outside the classroom using the interactive learning tools in our online iLab. An intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and social activities results 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 years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of EF students apply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam, such as Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS. Successful completion of such exams provides the necessary language qualifications for university and for professional endeavors. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives while improving language and study skills. Students wishing to study at university can access information and make informed academic choices through our EF University Placement Service.

A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international community 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.

2. Welcome to Singapore Singapore is a country, a city and a tropical island all in one destination. It is made up of not just one island but a main island with 63 surrounding islets. The main island has a total land area of 682 square km, so it takes less than an hour to get from one side of the island to the other.

However, its compact size manages to have 4 million people call Singapore home, and it’s grown to become one of Asia’s most modern, cosmopolitan and dynamic cities.

There are endless choices of things to do outside of your studies. Chill out on the golden sand beaches of Sentosa Island or go bargain hunting along world famous Orchard Road.

Soak up the sights and sounds of the cultural districts, Chinatown, Little India and the Arab Quarter. Singapore also has some of the best wildlife attractions in the world, the Singapore Zoo and its famous Orangutans and White Tigers, the Bird Park and of course the Night Safari is not to be missed.

Why not take a weekend to visit our neighbors?

You take can a short 45 minute ferry ride over to some of the islands of Indonesia, or a bus will take you up to Malaysia. Alternatively you can stay in Singapore and jump on board the Singapore flyer – and on a clear day you can

Singapore

Average Temperatures range from: Spring: 24° to 31°C (75° to 88°F) Summer: 24° to 31°C (75° to 88°F) Autumn: 23° to 31°C (73° to 88°F) Winter: 23° to 31°C (73° to 88°F) Check www.weather.gov.sg for Singapore weather forecasts.

4. Travel & transfer service Transfer service If you have booked our transfer service from the airport to your accommodation, you must inform the EF Office in your home country of the exact details of your flight (airline, flight number, date and time) at least one month before your arrival.

When you arrive at the Singapore airport, please go to the pre-established meeting point in your arrival letter. Look for the EF greeter who will be holding up an EF sign. If after waiting for 30 minutes you still haven’t found the greeter, please call the transfer number (+65 9113 3467). You can also go to the Information Desk where you can ask someone to help you contact the EF greeter.

see these countries in the distance.

3. Weather watch Singapore is a tropical climate, located just north of the Equator. The Singaporeans like to joke that they have 3 seasons, hot, hotter and hottest! The island is warm and humid all year round. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming and other water sports. But for those who do not enjoy the tropical climate, Singapore is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with air-conditioning in almost all of its shops, hotels, office buildings and restaurants.

Rain falls throughout the year, with more consistent rain in November to January. Showers

3

are usually sudden and heavy, but also brief and refreshing. Make sure to pack an umbrella for the rainy days, sunscreen for the tropical sun and a sweater for the air-conditioned areas.

It is a good idea to purchase a phone card while you are at the airport so that you can phone home to let your family know you’ve arrived safely. When calling from Singapore, remember to omit the zero between the country code and city code.

Students Arriving Independently If you are staying in a homestay and plan to arrive independently, remember to contact EF or your homestay hosts with your arrival details.

Please go straight from the airport to your host family. Your family will be expecting you shortly after your plane arrives. There are three main

methods of transportation from the airport into the city: zP ublic Bus: Public bus service 36 goes to the city. The first bus arrives at around 0600 hr and the last leaves at midnight. A single fare costs below $2 SGD and takes about an hour. Bus stops are located under Terminals 1, 2 or 3. Please prepare the exact fare as no change will be given. zT rain (MRT): The Changi Airport MRT Station is located under Terminals 2 and 3, and is linked to the arrivals and departures by escalators and lifts. The first train arrives at around 0530hr and the last leaves at 2318hr. A single fare to the city costs about $2.70 SGD (inclusive of $1 SGD refundable deposit) and takes approximately 25 - 30 minutes. Tickets are available at the station.

and is the perfect place to enjoy the sun, join an EF BBQ and relax with friends.

zT axi: Taxi rides from Singapore Changi International Airport to our host communities, range anywhere from $10 to $40 SGD. There are normally plenty of cabs available, so there is not usually a wait. It is a good idea to keep a record of the driver’s number, which should be on an ID card on the dashboard of the taxi, and to ask for a receipt, in case you have any questions about the fare. All taxis in Singapore charge their fares based on the meter, it is illegal to offer a set price for a journey.

who will be on hand to help and advise you throughout your stay.

5. School Information The EF school’s central location puts students in the heart of this spectacular city. The school is located in the heart of the Quays district off the Singapore River, walking distance to Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Chinatown, the Heritage quarter and a huge range of local sights and attractions.

EF Singapore has been totally refurbished recently following the new EF corporate design code. Classrooms are air conditioned, spacious and well equipped, with new furniture and audio/visual equipment. The school also boasts a large 17-seat computer lab, and a separate self-access center where students have use of additional computers for personal email or self-study.

On our 5th floor we have a spacious student lounge equipped with a study area, student library, table football, table tennis, 42” plasma screen, Nintendo Wii console and sofa area.

Our roof terrace over looks the city landscape

4

Singapore

Most students spend their free time enjoying Singapore’s warm weather at the cafés at Boat or Clarke Quay, relaxing at Fort Canning Park, exploring China Town and Little India or shopping at some of the best shopping areas and malls in the world.

The staff The staff is looking forward to meeting you on arriv al and welcoming you to the school.

During your time with us, we will do our best to ensure that you settle in as easily as possible, and make sure your time here is a happy and beneficial one. On your first day at school, you will meet our friendly and experienced staff

6. Academics EF language courses give students the opportunity to study the English language and the local culture for as long, and with as much intensity, as suits the student and his or her needs.

EF Level Placement Test Within 24-hours after booking your course, you’ll receive your personalized EF username and password for the online EF campus called My EF. Before traveling, you will take the EF Level Placement test online. This test will measure your language level and ability, grammar and listening comprehension abilities. Using your test results, our academic team will place you in one of six different language levels. When you arrive at the school, you will receive your schedule as part of your orientation as well as further activities and information.

As your English language skills become stronger, you will be promoted into the next language level. You may speak with your teacher if you feel you have been placed into the wrong level.

Please note: lessons are arranged in blocks and you may have alternate morning and afternoon classes. All students will receive 2 consecutive days off – usually on the weekends.

Orientation When you arrive at the school you will take the EF Level Placement test, if you have not done so already. You will also have an orientation that

will acquaint you with the school, the accommodation and life in Singapore. You will receive your class schedule, a map of Singapore and other important information about the school and the city. The activities coordinator will speak to you to find out what you like doing in your free time and will take all new students on a short tour of the local area and the city to help familiarize you with local banks, post offices, shops, restaurants, and snack bars.

General English Classes General English classes focus on the development of the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They also include work on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

Special Interest Classes Depending on your course type you may also select a number of special interest (SPIN) classes. SPINs allow you to improve your English through the study of a wide range of subject options. Admission to some of these will depend on academic and linguistic level and availability of places. 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.

Class size The average class size is 14 students with a maximum of 17 students.

Attendance You are expected to attend all classes.

Consistent failure to attend class, for whatever reason, may result in expulsion from the program with no refund of course fees. 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 90% of all classes.

Homework You are expected to complete all assignments set by your teachers in General English and Special Interest classes. If you are taking an examination preparation class you should expect at least one hour of homework per night.

Assessment You will be assessed at regular intervals throughout the course. Assessment is based on attendance, participation, attitude and performance.

Course books As part of your academic program, you’ll be expected to buy the books and classroom materials that you will use in class. The exact number of books that you’ll need is determined by your academic level, progress and choice of special interest classes. If you wish to buy additional books you may need more money. The books you buy are yours to keep, write in and take home with you for future reference. iLab Learning All English language school courses include six iLab sessions per week. iLab sessions complement and reinforce classroom learning in an interactive online learning environment.

Please note: iLab is not included in the EF Basic Course.

Exams You may enroll for several different public examinations during your course. Some can be taken at the school itself, others must be taken at an external examination center and booked several months in advance. Please note: you will be responsible for the cost of all exam registration fees, which cannot be paid at the sales office.

EF University Placement Service EF offers a University Placement Service (UPS) that provides guaranteed admission into a university or college for qualified students. If you are interested in continuing your studies, you are encouraged to talk with the University Pathways Manager at your school.

University Transfer Credit Through our partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), EF students may be eligible to receive university credit for their coursework.

7. Accommodation & meals

5

Homestay Arriving in a new country and living with a new family can often be a strange experience but

to you by EF, you will be placed in a twin room with another student. You are responsible for all transportation costs to and from the host’s

you should settle in once you have adjusted to the Singapore way of life. Homestay accommodation not only helps students with their English study, but also enhances your enjoyment of your stay by giving you a real Singaporean experience. Remember, you are not staying in a hotel; you should have commitment, flexibility, a sense of responsibility, an open mind and willingness to share.

home. You may be placed up to one hour away from the school. At the homestay, all long distance calls should be made using a calling card.

Prepaid cards are available at local shops.

Families choose to host international students because they want to learn about other cultures and people. Students who live in a homestay must respect the family and their home. Likewise, the family will respect the student. As you get an in-depth look at Singapore life, you will realize that Singaporean culture is not the same as your culture, and therefore, family life may be quite different. The relationship between husband and wife, the roles of family members, the relationship with or discipline of children and the relationship with pets are just some examples. If you are open-minded about these differences, life in the family will be a great learning experience.

Homestay and student residence accommodations are available at the school. Every effort will be made to match you with another student who does not speak your language.

The Director of Housing is available to help you with your housing needs.

There is no stereotypical family. Host families may consist of 1) mother and father without children, 2) single mother with children, 3) mother, father and children, 4) retired couple, 5) widowed woman, or 6) single father with children.

You are expected to keep your rooms clean and free of damage. You will be charged a fee for any damages that occur during your stay.

Unless you have paid the single supplement and a single placement has been confirmed

Singapore

The host will provide bed linens and towels.

You will need to provide your own personal toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, tissues, etc.) You will be responsible for keeping your room clean, doing your own laundry, and completing light housework as a member of the household.

EF carefully chooses appropriate homestays for its students and requires a long-term commitment from hosts. Therefore, changing hosts is considered a very serious matter and will only be considered by the Housing Coordinator as a last resort.

Meals in a homestay Students staying in a homestay will have breakfast and dinner every day of the week provided by the host. Students are responsible for buying their own lunch during the week, Monday through Friday. All meals for homestay students will be provided at home on the weekends.

Student Residence Residential accommodation is offered in our selection of International Student Residences and Hostels located a short distance on public transport to the school. All residences offer excellent facilities, which are available to all residents including: a personal study area or desk, Internet

access, community facilities and TV lounge.

All students will be required to pay a nonrefundable administration fee upon arrival ($50$55) and a security deposit on arrival which will be refunded on departure if the room is left in a clean and undamaged condition. ❚❚Student International Campus $300 deposit & $53.50 administration fee ❚❚Radius International City Lodge $150 (up to 3 weeks) or $400 (4 weeks or more) deposit & $50 administration fee ❚❚Vinga International Student Hostel $100 deposit per week & $30 administration fee

There are a number of banks near the school where you can change money and cash traveler’s checks; they are normally open from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Saturday, but it’s a good idea to cash some traveler’s checks at the airport when you first arrive.

You will also need to take money for learning materials used in class and for any language proficiency exams you plan to take.

Linen will be provided and washed on a regular basis for you. Students will be responsible for keeping their rooms clean and tidy. Smoking is

Credit cards We strongly recommend that students travel with either a Visa or Master Card. Credit cards enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms, pay

not allowed in any part of the building or in the residence grounds.

for exams and do various activities which may be more difficult with cash or traveler’s checks.

Meals in a student residence At Vinga International Student Hostel there is a small stove to prepare your own meals, though cooking utensils are not provided. There are no meals available for purchase at Singapore International Campus and Radius International City Lodge, and no self catering facilities are provided. There are good and affordable restaurants and cafés located a short walk from all three residences.

If you want to use your credit card to withdraw Singaporean money from an automatic teller machine, you should only use machines in Singapore that are attached to a bank. If the machine is attached to a bank and the machine takes your card, you can easily get your card back again by going inside the bank and asking for it. You cannot get your card back easily if the machine that has taken it is not attached to a bank.

8. Money Matters

9. Phones, faxes & Internet

Currency The Singapore dollar (SGD$) is the basic monetary unit in Singapore. Paper currency comes in denominations (values) of $2, $5, $10, $50, $100 and $1000 and $10,000. Coins come in denominations of $.01, $.05, $.10, $.20 and $.50 and $1.

Telephone Public payphones are available and calls may be made with coins, a credit card or a telephone card. Instructions are given in each telephone box. Local shops sell phone cards, which are a very cheap and convenient way of phoning overseas from public and private phones in Singapore. Please use these phone cards when phoning from your homestay or ask your parents/friends to call you. We recommend that students expecting to stay for a long period of time come with or purchase a mobile phone.

Banking If you are here for 6months or longer you should open a bank account at the start of your course. During orientation, the EF staff will be on hand to help you open one with a local bank.

Money for expenses Just like in any other big city, you should not carry a large amount of cash around with you in Singapore. If it is lost or stolen, it is very unlikely that it will be covered by your insurance policy. It is much safer to have your money in the form of traveler’s checks. You will need about $200-

6

$300 SGD a week to spend, especially if you want to take part in excursions and trips.

Singapore

code - just the subscriber’s number.

For international calls, you need to dial 001 followed by the national code, area code (without the 0) and subscriber number.

‘Reverse charge’ or ‘collect’ calls If you want the person you are calling to pay for the call you need to make a ‘reverse charge’ or ‘collect’ call. First dial 8000-111111 or 8000-112-112 t0 speak with an operator and say that you would like to make a collect call. The operator will ask you for your name and then ask the person you are calling whether he/she will accept the charges.

Directory Inquiries If you don’t know the number you need to call, you should dial 100 for the local Operator, and 104 for the international Operator assistance.

Fax All EF schools use fax machines to conduct business. You can send faxes from the school at a cost of $5 SGD per page. The school can receive faxes for you and does not charge for this service.

Internet There is a fully equipped iLab computer suite and two Internet kiosks located on the 2nd and 3rd floor. There is also Wi-Fi access throughout the school. Students may bring their laptops and are able to use the free wireless internet access in the student lounge areas.

You can also set up a hotmail, gmail or yahoo account via the school’s student computer center, in order to send and receive emails during your stay. It is a good idea to bring the email addresses of your family and friends with you so that you can send them your new email address. If you already have an existing web email account, you should be able to access your existing account from Singapore.

10. Health Care & Insurance Telephone numbers in Singapore generally consist of 8 numbers. Due to the small size of Singapore, there are no long distance calls within Singapore. Most mobile phone numbers will start with the numbers 8 or 9.

How to dial For local calls you don’t need to dial the area

If you feel ill while you are in Singapore, talk to your homestay hosts or the EF staff. They will arrange for you to see a doctor. We strongly advise you to get travel insurance before you leave. If you have any personal problems, there is always someone who you can talk to confidentially.

Immunizations EF requires that all students attending EF Singapore carry proof that he or she has been immunized against measles I and II, polio, TBC, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus if necessary. Please note that it is not sufficient to have had the diseases as a child. If you do not bring this documentation with you, you may be required upon arrival in Singapore to obtain the immunizations at a local hospital or be refused entry to the country (this amount is not covered by insurance).

Insurance All students traveling to Singapore are encouraged to have travel and medical insurance upon starting their program of study.

Read your insurance policy document carefully before you leave home and bring all relevant documents with you when you come to Singapore.

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 & Excursions Activity Program The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regular schedule of local activities, day-trips and weekend excursions to area attractions. The cost of these trips is not included in the cost of the course.

Weekly activities There is a weekly program of activities at EF Singapore – BBQ’s, visits to the Singapore Flyer, China Town, the National Museum of

7

Singapore

Singapore, the Asian Civilization Museum, cinema nights, sports and more - at either no cost or minimal cost. The Activities Coordinator will also organise sports games, Wii tournaments and excursions depending on student interest and participation.

unreal world of TV and movies. Arrive at your course center with an open mind!

Other activities in the area include:

What you can expect from EF: zS upportive staff, available for guidance and encouragement. zA n academic program which combines language, special interest, and cultureoriented classes. zF ull program of local activities and excursions at special EF rates. zA ccommodation in either homestay or student residence. zA ll designated meals. zE F Academic Year Abroad Diploma for Academic Year Abroad students with 80% attendance per term and good academic standing and academic records

❚❚Nature walks through the Botanic Gardens or Nature reserves ❚❚Bike rentals along the East Coast Parkway ❚❚Shopping along the World-famous Orchard road ❚❚Martial Arts classes

zE F Course Certificate for International Language Students with 90% attendance and good academic standing. zP reparation classes and/or materials for appropriate standardized language exams and availability of University Placement Service (UPS).

12. Transportation

What EF expects of you: zT o develop a greater understanding of the world around you. zT o attend at least 90% of all classes and to do your best in class at all times. zT o be respectful of your homestay hosts, your classmates, your teachers and your community. zT o keep your room and shared areas clean. zT o speak English at all times. zT o abide by all laws, rules and regulations of your host country, state, campus and school.

Weekend excursions The EF activities coordinator arranges all kinds of outings and sporting events for students to go on during their free time. These will be during the evenings and at weekends. Some of these excursions will be free of charge while others will be at an additional cost. The number of trips and the cost depend upon the time of year and the number of students wishing to participate.

Public transportation The public transport in Singapore is excellent, frequent and air-conditioned! There are currently 4 Underground MRT Train lines, and a wide ranges of buses to all destinations, and a light rail system on the North of the island.

Taxis are also cheap and plentiful. To travel on public transport simply purchase an ezlink travel card for $15 (including $10 of travel credit). You can then top this card up with additional funds at any MRT station.

All forms of transportation are a short walk from the EF school. The Clarke Quay MRT train station is two-minute walk from the school; buses pick up passengers on the next block.

The weekly cost of travel from school to home will cost between $15 and $25 SGD. Ask your host family to advise you on the best way to travel to and from the school.

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 meal plan; breakfast and dinner at home Monday-Friday and all meals on the weekends. ❚❚Access to the school in approximately one hour by public transportation. All transportation costs are your responsibility.

13. Expectations

14. Singapore culture & living tips

Expectations are a normal part of anticipating a new experience. Remember that many of your expectations may have been formed by the

Passport and Visa requirements Everyone entering Singapore needs to hold a

current passport and when necessary, an appropriate visa. Students coming to study on an English course of 4 weeks or fewer can usually enter Singapore on a Tourist Visa. Students coming for longer courses will need to enter on a Student Visa and will have to be a full-time student.

Student’s Personal Information The school may make student’s personal information details available to the Ministry of Education and the Immigration Checkpoint Authority and the Consumer Affairs Association as required.

Food The multi-ethnic nature of the Singaporean culture is perhaps best exhibited in the variety of food enjoyed by Singaporeans. Their food is influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western cuisines. You can’t go home without trying the famous Chilli crab, Singapore noodles and Laksa Soup! Experience the traditional local Hawker stalls and Hawker food centers that are prominent around the city and offer unbelievable value and great food!

Mail (Singpost) The mail service in Singapore is relatively inexpensive and quite reliable. For best results, be sure to write the complete address and full postcode. Postal rates vary with destination and weight. The local post office will be able to supply you with stamps and any necessary information.

The nearest Post Office to the EF school is at: 133 New Bridge Road, Chinatown Point Singapore 059413 Hours Mon - Fri: 9.30 am - 6.00 pm Sat: 9.30 am - 2.00 pm Sun & all public holidays: Closed Alcohol The legal age for purchase and/or consumption of alcohol is 18years old. You will be expected to show identification (passport) when purchasing alcohol in a liquor store or bar. Many nightclubs are only open to people who are 21 years and older. Some clubs may be open to 18 and older. There are also very strict rules regarding “driving under the influ-

8

Singapore

ence” of alcohol.

Smoking Over the past few years, smoking is considered more and more a health hazard to those who smoke and those people around smokers. If you smoke, you will be asked to do so in certain areas or most of the time, outside.

Many restaurants do not allow smoking at all unless there is a separate room for smokers. EF Singapore is completely non-smoking and most homestay hosts will not permit smoking in their home. While EF recognizes your right to smoke, we kindly ask that you behave courteously and follow the rules of your school. You must be 18 to buy tobacco products in Singapore.

Appliances Electrical sockets in Singapore operate on 230 volts so, if you come from a country, which operates on a different voltage, you will need a transformer before you use your equipment.

You might also need an adaptor for any fitted plugs. These can be bought in Singapore.

Tipping Tipping is not overly common in Singapore, and the government actually does not encourage tipping, so it’s not always expected. If you have taken a longer taxi ride, you can round up to the nearest dollar if the driver has been good – but again these is usually no expectation of a tip. Major shops charge a 5% Goods and Services Tax, with an additional 10% service charge in restaurants, and 1% government tax added to hotel bills.

Sales Tax Expect to pay 7% sales tax on your purchases.

Remember that a certain percentage will be added to the net total when you purchase something from a store or when you pay for food and beverages in restaurants.

Store hours In general, the following rules apply: zD epartment stores and shopping malls: Monday to Saturday 10am to 11pm in the big department stores.

Sunday 10pm to 10pm zS upermarkets: Monday to Saturday 9am to 11pm Sunday 9am to 9pm some 24 hours. ❚❚Small retail stores and grocery stores may

close every night at 6pm, not open on Sunday

15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of students who have come together to learn English. It is also a multi-cultural group of young adults who are eager to share their own culture and learn the culture of their host country and fellow classmates.

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

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 sometimes 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 differences 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 without 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: zW hile 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. zP ut off making major decisions such as an accommodation change, until you feel more “at home” with the culture in general. zT alk 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. zS et 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 English at all times. zR emind yourself that you came to this country to experience a new culture, to meet others and to explore your new surroundings.

9

Singapore

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on the days before leaving your home country when you were excited about your new adventure. Try to refocus this former excitement towards your experience.

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: zL anguage skills zS chool performance and involvement zC ampus/host adjustment z I ndividual 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 typical 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, dancing and music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your friends, family and surrounding area.

16. EF school calendar & holidays

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 passport with you while you are in the Singapore but you must keep it and your other documents in a safe place while you are in the country.

School holidays The EF International Language Center in Singapore recognizes the following public holidays when there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on one of these dates, please check with the school staff upon your arrival for an exact orientation schedule.

2012 1 January - New Year’s Day 23-24 January - Chinese New Year 6 April - Good Friday 1 May - Labour Day 6 May - Vesak Day 9 August - National Day 19 August - Hari Raya Puasa 26 October - Hari Raya Haji 13 November - Deepavali 25 December - Christmas Day

■■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student identification cards, travel cards and other possible documents ■■ Flight ticket ■■ Luggage correctly labeled ■■ E F Confirmation letter & other EF documents ■■ M ake sure all EF forms are complete, especially the Health Certificate

Checklist

2013 1 January - New Year’s Day 11-12 February - Chinese New Year 29 March - Good Friday 1 May - Labour Day 25 May - Vesak Day 9 August - National Day TBD - Hari Raya Puasa TBD - Hari Raya Haji 4 November - Deepavali 25 December - Christmas Day

■■ Medical and travel insurance documents with proof of insurance in English, if you have secured Erika Travel Insurance from EF, you do not need to have anything translated.

■■ Immunization documents with a copy of them in English ■■ Basic medical supplies, any medication you take regularly and a spare pair of contact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■■ An International Driving License if you are planning on hiring or buying a car.

Important telephone numbers

■■ Local currency for first week and for any learning materials that are not included in the cost of the course.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

Additional notes or numbers:

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

Homestay host’s or student residence address

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

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

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

■■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appliances you plan to bring with you.

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

■■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

EF Sales Office telephone number:

EF Sales Office telephone number

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

EF School telephone number

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

■■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

EF School emergency telephone number:

EF School emergency telephone number

■■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

+65 9113 3467 _________________________________________

_________________________________________

■■ 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!).

■■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■■ Personal sports equipment.