The Adventurer
Santa Barbara: The ultimate visitors’ guide ● 5 tips to Instagram like a pro ● The world’s greatest beach cities
Your fastest way to fluency!
Your fastest way to fluency!
Issue 03 ● The faster way to learn a language ● www.ef.com
International Language Campuses
The Adventurer
Dear Student, Over the coming pages, we’ll tell you all about the world’s greatest beach cities as well as give you an in-depth guide to one of California’s most underrated cities, Santa Barbara. We’ll also give you the lowdown on the best Netflix shows to learn English with. Yes, binge-watching TV shows really does have some benefits! As well as all this, our handy guide to Instagram will ensure you’re posting like a pro influencer. What’s more, you’ll find our 2017-2018 brochure in this pack which is filled with information about EF’s language courses in 50 destinations around the globe. Sincerely, name surname title, country
Why travel with your best friend? Travel is awesome, but traveling with your best friend is just that little bit more awesome! Here’s why you and your BFF should both be dusting off your passport and heading to your nearest airport together: 1 Memories Here’s how the majority of your conversations will go when you get back: “Remember that time...” “Omg, yes!” *Laughter* Inside jokes from your time abroad will become your main form of communication!
2 Planning is way more fun Planning with your BFF takes away all the stress and strain of working everything out. They’ll be on hand to deal with all your travel chat and to answer those urgent questions
about what shorts to pack.
3 Those long waits just got better There’s no way to get around it: travel always involves waiting around for transport, and wouldn’t you rather have your best friend by your side when you’re facing a five-hour flight delay?
4 Your comfort zone will get bigger Stepping out of your comfort zone is a major part of traveling abroad. Sometimes you just need that little push from a familiar face to ensure you don’t regret not giving something a go.
Work together to advance your language skills
5 Your friendship group will expand rapidly You’ll both meet new people from around the world during your time with EF, and while you’ll no doubt stay BFFs, your international group of friends will definitely contribute to point #1 in this list. For more travel awesomeness, check out our EF Blog: www.ef.com/go
Issue 03 ● The faster way to learn a language ● www.ef.com
Share special moments with your best friend
The Adventurer
5 tips to Instagram like a pro It’s time to take your Instagram snaps to the next level with our top photography tips. From seemless editing to catching the golden hour, this is how to transform your profile: Composition Basic photography rule #1: get the composition right! From using the rule of thirds and leading lines to framing and symmetry, there are many tricks of the trade you can use to boost the impact of your picture.
Caption A picture may say 1000 words, but an on-point caption will get people double tapping your post in no time. Use a famous quote, add some witty words or simply explain what’s going on – whatever works for you.
Hashtag Using the right hashtags is one of the most important tools in helping people discover your profile and growing your list of followers. Make sure to only use hashtags related to your picture, though.
Editing
Santa Barbara visitor guide Santa Barbara is way more than your average sunkissed Californian city. Sure, it has the laid-back vibe and miles of pristine beaches like its bigger West Coast brothers, but to study at EF Santa Barbara is to experience an authentic, actionpacked city that lives for adventure. Be at one with nature Santa Barbara is paradise for all levels of surfer: Experienced surfers can head to Jamala Beach for big, fast moving swells. If you’re a beginner, head to Stu Peak or Campus Point. Don’t let the sea distract you for too long, though, as the mountains and Los Padres National Forest behind the city are filled with scenic paths and hiking routes – complete with hidden natural hot springs for a quick dip.
Meet the wild locals Thirty species of whales and dolphins move through the Santa Barbara Channel as they migrate to feeding waters with their young calves. Climb aboard a whale watching tour boat and catch a glimpse of Pacific gray whales, Blue and Humpback whales and, if you’re lucky, even Orca and Pilot whales.
Take it slow Santa Barbara is where the Californians go to escape the hustle and bustle of its big brother cities – San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Fast-paced doesn’t exist in Santa Barbara as California’s laid-back lifestyle is taken to new heights, making it the perfect place to escape the crowds and experience traditional West Coast life.
Treat your tastebuds The best way to tick the ‘cultural immersion’ box when traveling is to do as the locals do: This means that when the sun shines in Santa Barbara (so, all the time) the locals set their sights on the nearest establishment that sells frozen yogurt. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams and Yogurt, and the alluringly named Yogurtland are big hitters with both the residents and visitors.
Don’t just rely on Instagram to make your pics pop. Look to the likes of VSCO and Snapseed to take your images beyond the average Insta filter.
Lighting Sometimes nature provides the perfect filter, so head out during the golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) and be amazed by the standard of photo you snap.
5 Netflix shows to learn English with Everyone’s favorite streaming service is also be the perfect place for free English lessons. Simply keep the audio in English, order some pizza, pop some popcorn, and get ready to sharpen your language skills one episode at a time. Here’s our pick of the best Netflix series for taking your English to the next level: 1 Master of None
4 Stranger Things
Aziz Ansari’s smash-hit show will get you speaking like a real American in no time thanks to its quick-witted, slang-filled dialogue.
You’ll instantly love the chemistry between the teenage stars whose lines are ready-made for you to steal and use with your friends.
EF Santa Barbara puts you in the heart of the action. Located just a short walk from State Street, our colonial-style campus provides students with the perfect setting for learning English and exploring the city's famed beaches.
2 The Queen
5 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
The acting is as classy as the super-posh British accents, which are a great asset to learn if you plan on moving to the UK.
Not only will this quirky comedy make you want to move to the Big Apple, but you’ll also learn plenty of New York slang to use.
3 House of Cards
Learn more about studying at EF Santa Barbara by visiting www.ef.com/gosantabarbara
Add some sophisticated English lingo to your skill set with this political thriller that’s packed with tension – and heaps of formal vocabulary.
Read the full article at www.ef.com/netflixlesson
Study in central Santa Barbara
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The Adventurer
And the world’s greatest beach cities are... 1 Miami, USA Who hasn’t dreamt of chilling out on Miami Beach? Few cities in the world can compete with Miami, especially in the summer when the nights are longer, and the parties are wilder. Blessed with sublime beaches and world famous nightlife – Miami is truly one of a kind.
2 Nice, France Nice, nestled on the French Riviera in the south of the country, boasts pristine beaches and elegant palm tree-lined boulevards for you to enjoy in the sunshine. While Cannes and Monaco are more glamorous, Nice has a more laid-back, authentic vibe, mixing the Riviera’s glamour with traditional cuisine and seaside life.
3 San Diego, USA San Diego is blessed with a plethora of world-class beaches and balmy weather almost all year round. After chilling out on the iconic Mission Beach and becoming a true American by rollerblading along
its boardwalk, scuba among the purposely sunken ships of San Diego’s Wreck Alley, ride the waves of Pacific Beach or go snorkeling off the coast of La Jolla Shores.
4 Bournemouth, UK Bournemouth is the most quintessentially British summer location. The city is all about the beach, and luckily it’s one of the sunniest spots in the UK, so most days become beach days. The beach stretches for miles and is a perfect spot for trying some fish & chips and locally sourced ice cream (the city’s famous for it).
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5 Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town is a city where natural beauty meets modern urban landscapes. Reach the summit of Table Mountain on a clear, summer’s day to experience sweeping vistas of this seaside gem before heading to the white sands of Camps Bay for a well-earned rest. Read the full article at www.ef.com/beachcities
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Parents section
How to support your child when they are abroad So you’ve booked a language course for your child, and they’re hungry with excitement and ready to go. But what about you? We give some ‘top tips’ on how to support your child through this amazing new experience. Don’t worry too much! It’s never easy letting your child travel abroad without you, however, they are in safe hands. Our staff will support
your child around the clock, no matter if they are in class, on an activity or spending time in their accommodation. You’ll also be surprised at how resilient and adaptable your child is – they will make lots of friends and absorb a vibrant new culture. Be supportive but not pushy Most parents have a list of things that they want their child to achieve during their summer abroad, namely learning
“ The change I have seen in him is remarkable.” The Adventurer chatted with Cristina about her son’s experience with EF. “Last summer my son spent two weeks in Brighton with EF. The change I have seen in him since his return is remarkable. As soon as he came home, I noticed how much more confident he had become. He was telling us story after story of the places he visited and the friends he made.
were; they were nothing like the classes at his school here in Spain. The whole experience has really sparked something in him: He wants to learn as much as he can about new cultures, and he’s really committed to speaking fluent English. He loved his time in Brighton so much that he’s already planning to go back next summer!”
He loved how fun and interactive the lessons
Issue 03 ● The faster way to learn a language ● www.ef.com
a language and understanding a new culture, as well as having fun. The key is to accept that the most important thing is the experience itself. Be there to guide them, but without any pressure. Don’t take it personally if they forget to call Not seeing your child every day over summer can be difficult. You’ll want to speak to them every day to find out what they’re doing. But your child will be having
so much fun - making exciting international friendships and gaining cultural exposure in a dynamic new town or city. So don’t be offended if they forget to call or text. It’s not because they don’t want to speak to you. Read more about our courses at www.ef.com/ goabroad
EF Education First Bärengasse 25, 8000 Zurich Tel. 00351 9631 9531 email@info.com