Download - Predeparture Paris LS 2012
Seine
Montmartre
Montparnasse
Arc de TriompheChamps-Élysées
Sacré-Coeur
Gare du Nord
Galeries Lafayette
Republique
Gare Saint-Lazare
Avenue Montaigne Grand
Palais Jardin des Tuileries
Les Invalides
Musée de Quai Branly
La Tour Eiffel
Parc du Champs de Mars
Jardin du Luxembourg
Sorbonne
Notre Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Le Louvre
Les Halles
www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.
LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above
EF International Language Centers
Accreditations and Memberships
The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,
Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol
and Bournemouth are:
EF Dublin is accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in the USA are members of:
The EF Interna-tional Language
Centers in the USA are accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers
in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:
EF Nice and EF Paris are recognized with the Label Qualité Français
Langue Etrangère.
EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.
All EF Courses are certified by Southern
New Hampshire University.
EF Education is an active participant in
the Comité Européen de Normalisation.
The EF International Language Centers
in Brisbane and Perth are
members of:
The EF International Language Centers in
Cambridge, München, Cape Town, Paris and Nice are accredited by:
The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,
Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are
members of:
All EF Courses are recognized by Hult
International Business School.
Federation of International Youth
Travel Organizations.
EF Paris
ParisCapital of style, romance and “joie de vivre”,
many consider Paris to be the most elegant
and sophisticated city in the world. We offer well
equipped classrooms, excellent French tuition and
easy access to the city’s attractions.
Contact details:EF Ecole Internationale de Francais, 5 avenue de provence, 75009 Paris, France Tel: +(33)1 55 33 13 55 Emergency Tel: +(33) 6 24 55 17 48
Watch a video
Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFParis
Section Topic
1 .......... Introduction to EF
2 .......... Welcome to France
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 ........ French culture & living tips
15 ........ Adjusting to a new culture
16 ........ EF school calendar & holidays
17 ........ Checklist
Contents - Paris
Dear Student
We are very happy to welcome you to our EF School
in Paris. We will do our best to help you to enjoy your
stay in Paris, known as the “City of Lights”.
You’ll have the opportunity to study French and
discover the ‘French Touch’. Have you already tasted
a delicious baguette freshly baked during the night?
What about a little cruise on the Seine – a good way
to discover the amazing monuments of the French
capital. The city offers a great deal of diverse activities
year round from cultural events to social gatherings to
exciting sports competitions.
See the best of Paris, while studying French and
enjoying all this city has to offer.
The school staff and I look forward to welcoming you
at EF Paris. Welcome aboard!
Bienvenue et à très bientôt!
Alix Lallement, School Director
EF International Language Center, Paris
3 Paris, France
2. Welcome to Paris, FranceParis is one of the world’s most famous cities.
For centuries people have visited the “City of
Lights” – where elegance and the art of living
are constantly being reinvented.
Paris plays host to many of the world’s re-
knowned tourist attractions including Notre-
Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-
Cœur. Paris is not only the historical, cultural
and economic capital of France but also the
epitome of French civilisation.
Brief History of the City
A Celtic tribe named “the Parisii” settled the
town on the current Ile de la Cité. The name
was changed to Lutèce in 52 B.C. Following
invasions by Germanic tribes in the 3rd century,
the city was renamed Paris. By the end of the
15th century, the city had become the larg-
est economic and cultural centre in western
Europe, with 200,000 inhabitants. Though the
Bourbon kings of France favoured Versailles,
Paris regained its importance with the French
Revolution, in 1789.
3. Weather WatchParis has a mild climate, in between the oceanic
climate from the west and the semi-continental
from the east. This climate comes from the geo-
graphical position of Paris in Western Europe.
Paris has cool winters and mild summers. The
temperature has fallen to -15°C (like the winter
1953-1954) and risen to 38°C (like the summer
2003). But, rest assured, these extremes are
rare! Seasonal temperatures as mentioned be-
fore are mild. January is the coldest month with
an average of 4.7 °C. July and August are the
warmest months with an average of 20 °C.
4. Travel & Transfer Paris has two major airports (you can find in-
formation about arrivals or departures on www.
adp.fr). Orly (abbreviated ORY on the flight
ticket) is situated 14 km south of Paris and
Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (abbreviated CDG on
the flight ticket) 23 km north of the centre.
We highly recommend you to take advantage of
the one-way transfer service from the airport to
the homestay. 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. This is espe-
cially important if you are staying in a homestay
so your hosts are home when you arrive.
When you arrive at Paris Airport, you should look
for the EF Greeter as you come out of customs
when you exit the terminal. Please make sure
that you use this gate as the EF Greeter will be
waiting for you when you come out. He or she
will be wearing an EF T-shirt or carrying an EF
sign. If you cannot find your greeter as soon
as you reach the arrivals hall, call the Toll free
number +33 800 00 29 21 from the airport or
the emergency number.
If for some reason you change your flight, miss
a connection or cannot find the greeter, don’t
hesitate to call the EF emergency number. It is
very important that we know of changes so that
we can meet you at the airport.
Independent Travellers
If you are arriving in Paris with your own travel
arrangements, please inform your EF office of
your flight or train details and your expected
arrival time at your homestay. You should
estimate 1.5 to 2 hours to get your luggage, go
through customs at the airport and travel.
Airport/city centre connections
Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport
❚ Air France coaches to central Paris, not
restricted to Air France passengers. Depart
from Paris CDG to Charles de Gaulle Etoile:
every 15 minutes. Average journey takes
about 40 minutes and costs around 10€.
❚ Roissy Bus: direct transport to the Opera
Garnier. Average journey is 45 minutes and
the approximate fare is 8.50€.
❚ RER B: A combined ticket of airport shuttle
and SNCF Train. Buses and train leave from
CDG every 15 minutes, the journey between
Gare du Nord and CDG takes 35 minutes and
costs 8.10€.
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 Paris, France
❚ Taxis: it costs between 45€ and 60€ from
CDG to the centre of Paris. There is an extra
charge for luggage.
❚ Airport’s limousine service: A car with driver,
reservation mandatory and the cost is 160-
200€.
Orly airport
❚ Air France coaches to central Paris, not re-
stricted to Air France passengers. Departure
from Paris Orly to Invalides and Montpar-
nasse every 12 minutes. Average journey
takes 30 minutes and costs around 7.50€.
❚ Orly Bus: Departs Place Denfert Rochereau
every 15 minutes. The journey takes approxi-
mately 25 minutes and costs about 5.70€.€
❚ RER B and orlyval : A combined ticket with
airport shuttle and SNCF Train. The journey
costs 8.80€ and takes about 30 minutes.
❚ 4. Taxis: It costs between 50-70€ to go by
taxi from Orly to the centre of Paris. There is
an extra charge for luggage.
❚ Airport’s limousine service A car with driver;
reservation is mandatory and the trip will cost
approximately 160-200€.
Try to avoid cars during rush hours (8:30 to
10:00 and 16:30 to 19:30).
5. School InformationThe EF International School of French is
situated in the heart of Paris, within walking
distance of the Opéra, the George Pompidou
centre, la Bourse and Notre Dame. The school
occupies the ground floor and first floor of an
independent building.
A very competent staff of teachers and Aca-
demic Director assist the School Director. Also
available to assist you are a Housing/Adminis-
trative Coordinator and Activities Coordinator.
EF staff and teachers will be available to assist
you when you have problems, questions or
concerns.
Study Lounge
For those looking to study in between classes,
the school features a quiet study lounge and a
language laboratory/computer lab.
Computer Labs
The computer lab can be used outside of class
during limited hours to check email, do class-
work or practice French lessons.
Self-access centre
All students are invited to make full use of our
reading room and additional listening compre-
hension study materials.
6. AcademicsParis is home to more than 300,000 stu-
dents so it is the university capital of Europe,
therefore a very active city for students. The
EF academic programme gives students the
opportunity to study the French language and
the local culture for as long and with as much
intensity as suits the student and his or her
needs. All students will attend grammar, listen-
ing, speaking, reading and writing classes.
Your First Day
On your first day of school, you will be wel-
comed at 9:00 by the school staff (8:30 during
the summer) and you will be given a language
placement test lasting approximately 1.5 to 2
hours; this will allow us to place you in the right
class. Later you will have an orientation to give
you details about the school, the city of Paris,
its surroundings, and recreational activities. On
Tuesday, the second day, you will start your
French course.
Our teaching staff will make sure that you are
placed at the right level. Promotions to higher
levels are based on class performance, atten-
dance and teachers’ comments.
Class Schedule
Classes will be scheduled between 9a.m
and 6.00p.m Monday through Friday (8:30
am - 6:50 pm during the summer months).
Students will either have a combination of
morning and afternoon classes or a morning
schedule only. The schedule will be confirmed
during orientation on the first day. Classes are
usually taken in blocks of two lessons of 40
minutes each.
Class size
The average class size is 12 students; the
maximum class size is 17 students.
French teaching programmes
There will be Intensive and General courses,
from beginners to advanced levels. The Exam
and Business courses are available to students
of an intermediate to advanced level only.
Special Interest Courses (SPINs)
Depending on your course type you may also
select a number of special interest (SPIN)
classes. The selection of SPIN classes vary
throughout the year and may not be repeat
each year. 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.
Exams
Students also have the possibility of preparing
and taking either of the following exams:
Le Certificat de Français is suitable for stu-
dents with a lower intermediate level of French.
It takes place once a year, in April. A prepara-
tion course of 8 – 12 weeks is recommended.
Le Diplôme Elémentaire de Langue Française
(DELF) is suitable for students with an intermedi-
ate to advanced level of French. It is made up of
four units which are offered frequently through-
out the year and are cumulative. A preparatory
12 week Intensive Course is recommended
for candidates of an already intermediate level
or higher. It is sometimes possible to take the
missing units in your own country.
Le Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française
(DALF) is suitable for students with a highly
advanced level of French. It is made up of 2 units
which are offered only a couple of times per year.
Please consult your home office for exact
dates. A preparatory 12 week Intensive Course
is recommended for candidates already at an
advanced level.
Course Certificate
At the end of your course, you will receive a
certificate showing that you have attended
courses regularly. If you have stayed at the
school for four weeks or more, you will receive
5 Paris, France
an academic record attesting to the progress
you have made.
However, please note that these certificates are
only given to students who have attended class-
es regularly. To be eligible for an EF certificate,
students are expected to participate in class and
must attend at least 80% of all classes.
7. Accommodation & MealsWe feel that accommodation in a homestay is
the best way for you to integrate into French
society and make the most of your stay in Paris.
If you prefer to find your own accommodation,
then your EF office can inform you of the amount
that will be deducted from your total course fee.
It is important that you consider your options
before leaving your home country.
Once you have chosen the homestay accom-
modation, you have committed yourself to stay-
ing with a family for the duration of your course.
For your own comfort and safety, please ob-
serve the following rules during your stay in EF
accommodation:
❚ Consumption of drugs is strictly forbidden.
Students not respecting this rule will
be sent home at their own expense.
❚ Students cannot bring pets or animals with
them in homestay accommodation.
❚ No open flames (Candles, cookers, etc) are
allowed in student rooms.
❚ No alcohol is allowed in student rooms.
Homestay accommodation
Our homestays are selected by the local EF Ac-
commodation coordinator, who knows all of the
families personally. Your room is reserved from
the day before your course starts through the
Saturday morning immediately after it finishes.
Customs and traditions in France may be
different from what you are used to at home,
so remembering a few simple rules will help
to make your life, as well as your homestay
host’s, easier.
Transportation: You are responsible for all
transportation costs to and from the host’s
home. You may be placed up to one hour
away from the school.
Room: Bed linens and towels as well as closet
space will be provided. You will also have access
to a desk or table, which may be in another
room.Generally, you will share a twin room with
an EF student of a different nationality, although
we can not guarantee this at all times of the year.
Arrival: Please make sure you advise your
homestay hosts, or EF office, of your estimated
time of arrival.
Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before
inviting friends to their home. Also, please do not
expect your hosts to serve meals to your friends.
Extra night : Please do not arrange extra
accommodation nights directly with your home-
stay hosts without letting the school staff know.
Damages: Should you cause any damages to
your host’s property, please inform them imme-
diately and settle the matter directly with them.
EF acts only as a mediator between student
and homestay and will not accept responsibil-
ity for any damages caused by you.
Telephone: Please do not use your host’s tele-
phone without asking them first. If you want to
make a phone call to your home country, make
a collect call (this is called “PCV” in France), or
ask your family and friends to call you.
Meals: Please note that the French tend to
be meat lovers and do not cater very well for
vegetarians.
Heating: Heating in many homes is not turned
on until November.
Respect your hosts: If you plan to be out
late, please inform the family when you are
expected to return home.
Laundry: Your hosts will launder your sheets
and towels, however they are not responsible
for your own personal laundry (although some
families may offer to do it for you anyway, for a
small fee to cover water and detergent). Upon
arrival, you will receive information which will
contain a list of launderettes available to you.
EF Staff: Should you feel unhappy with your
homestay, please try to discuss it with them.
You may suffer from “Culture Shock” because
the French do many things differently from
what you are used to at home. However, if
you have any serious problems and are still
unhappy after the first few days, you should
contact the EF staff who may, if necessary, find
another homestay for you. It is very unlikely
that such a case will arise, as our homestays
are selected with great care.
6 Paris, France
Changing homestays: Homestay accommo-
dation is booked for your entire programme;
requests for change will be considered on an
individual basis. If you decide to leave your EF
homestay family and find your own accom-
modation, you must give at least one month’s
notice and pay a cancellation fee. If you do not
respect this notice period, you will be asked
to pay your accommodation and the penalty.
If you are entitled to a refund you will be con-
tacted by your sales office.
Meals
Your hosts will provide you with breakfast and
an evening meal daily. You are responsible for
buying your own lunch every day. Since food
may be different from what you are used to
eating at home, you should come to France
prepared to sample a range of perhaps unfa-
miliar dishes.
8. Money MattersCurrency
The currency in France is the Euro. The symbol
for this currency is €. The euro is divided into
100 cents (sometimes referred to as euro-
cents, especially when distinguishing them
from other currencies).
Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10,
€20, €50, €100. They will each be a different
color to allow you to tell them apart more eas-
ily. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c,
10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2.
Spending Money
We estimate that you will need about 150€ per
week to cover the cost of activities, weekday
lunches, sports, entertainment, activities and
transportation between your homestay and
school. The amount you need will be relative to
what your choices of activities are.
You will also need to take money for learning
materials used in class and for any language
proficiency exams you plan to take.
Banking and Wiring Money
Before you leave your home country, enquire at
your own bank to find a corresponding bank in
Paris, so that the transfer of money can be as
easy as possible. When you arrive in Paris you
can then open an account at this bank and in
case of emergency, your parents or sponsors can
wire money to you this way. Having a local bank
account is also a safer way to keep your money,
as it is not a good idea to carry a lot of cash.
Please note: Students under 18 years of age
must bring an authorisation from their parents’
bank, allowing them to withdraw money in Paris.
Most banks now issue automatic teller ma-
chine cards (ATM or PIN cards), which work on
internationally compatible banking networks.
Using your card at compatible cash distribu-
tors (match the network symbols from your
card to those of local distributors) you can
withdraw money from your account at home
using a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Withdrawals (with some exceptions) should be
based on the current bank exchange rate, and
a possible per transaction fee. Please enquire
with your bank at home to apply for a card with
a compatible network in France. Be sure to
keep your PIN separate from your card, in case
of loss or theft.
Credit Cards
We strongly recommend that students travel
with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards
enable you to rent cars, reserve hotel rooms,
and do various activities, which may be more
difficult with cash or traveller’s cheques.
Banks
Banks are usually open daily from 9:00
to 16:30 except Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays. Most banks are open on Saturday
mornings and some are closed on Mondays.
Foreign currency exchange offices are open
daily except on Sundays; they are open late
everyday at the airports.
Wiring money
International money order wiring through the
Post Office or American Express is the fastest
way to wire money from abroad. There are
American Express offices all over the city open
from Monday to Saturday.
9. Telephone, fax & InternetTelephone Service
Telephone numbers in France are composed of
ten numbers. When making calls to France from
abroad, you must first dial the international ac-
cess code, then the country code (which is ‘33’
for France) and omit the ‘0’ from the city code.
To make local calls you can use a public
payphone and it will cost you the minimum
of 0,30€. To call abroad you need to dial 00
plus the code for your country followed by the
telephone number you wish to call. You can pay
with coins or you can purchase a phone card
at the school or at a “tabac” shop. They come
in 7,62€ and 15,24€ denominations. You can
also make phone calls from the local post office
where you pay the cost of the call after you
have finished. If you make any calls from you
homestay host’s telephone, you should always
ask first and you should call collect (“en PCV”).
Useful telephone numbers
Emergency numbers
❚ Hospital Lariboisière: 01 49 95 65 65
❚ Centre Anti-Poisons de Paris:
Hôpital Fernand Widal
200, rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis 75475
Paris Cedex 10: 01 40 05 48 48
❚ S.O.S. Doctors 24h/24h: 01 47 07 77 77
❚ Doctors close from school:
Maité Lavielle: 01 48 24 25 44
Powell-Roussin Lydie: 01 47 70 38 01
Other numbers
❚ SNCF Lost Luggage: 3635
❚ City Lost and Found:
36, rue des Morillons à Paris, dans le 15ème
arrondissement.
❚ Airport: 3950
Fax
The EF school has a fax machine for use
to conduct business. You are permitted to
send and receive faxes from this machine.
The following fees will apply to use the EF fax
machine.
❚ To send: 5€ per page
❚ To receive: The first two pages are free, with
a 1€ fee per page for each additional page.
Public fax machines can also be found in local
copy shops, post offices, etc
Internet Access
The school has a computer lab complete with
Internet access. You will have access to student
computers for language learning and may use the
computers with your teacher during class time.
Students also have limited access to computers
outside of the class timetable; a schedule of open
hours will be available at school. The school is
7 Paris, France
equipped with free Wi-Fi, wireless Internet. Stu-
dents are encouraged to bring their own laptops.
10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff is happy to assist you in finding
an appropriate medical facility. EF requires
that all students be insured upon starting their
programme of study, if not, students will be re-
quired to purchase the EF recommended Erika
Travel Insurance. Students should take into con-
sideration that they have to pay for their visits to
the doctor, it can range from 30€ to 50€ (even
if one has insurance), this can then be refunded
later on by making an insurance claim.
We strongly recommend that you take out a
comprehensive health insurance policy before
leaving for Paris. An insurance policy specifically
geared to cover you in case of illness while away
from your home country is available through your
EF office. Regardless of which insurance provider
you subscribe to, we recommend that you bring a
translation in either French or English of your proof
of coverage or your policy details in order to
avoid any confusion about your coverage during
your stay. If you have any health problems during
your stay, please alert your homestay hosts, your
EF Resident Advisor, or the EF staff at the school,
any of whom can put you in touch with a doctor.
If you do have to see a doctor during your stay,
you should:
❚ Keep copies of all bills
❚ Keep all prescriptions
❚ Fill out an EF Insurance Claim Form if you
have purchased Erika Travel Insurance (forms
available upon request at the school).
Mutual Health Insurance Agreement
The below countries have a mutual health insur-
ance agreements with France. We recommend
that students ask their health insurance in their
home country for an E-111, E-106 or E-109 form.
❚ Austria, Israel, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Portugal,
Denmark, Liechtenstein, Spain, Finland, Luxem-
burg, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, Switzerland,
Greece, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Iceland,
Norway, United Kingdom and former Yugoslavia
Even students from the above countries should
consider purchasing a supplementary insurance,
since this mutual agreement covers them only
for basic treatment by the first available doctor. A
supplementary private insurance like Erika Travel
Insurance (see section on EF recommended in-
surance) entitles the student to a wider choice of
treatments and doctors, health services available
to them more quickly, and preferential conditions
for hospital stays.
Third Party Liability Insurance
Please make sure that you have third party liability
insurance. Particularly for longer-term students,
this is a condition for obtaining your Visa from the
local authorities.
Please inquire with your EF office prior to depar-
ture, as this type of coverage may already be
included in your policy, if you have purchased
student travel insurance through EF.
Erika Travel Insurance
Because security is EF’s number one priority, we
have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made
travel insurance package for EF students with
Erika Travel Insurance, an international insurance
expert. The policy protects you against expenses
incurred through accident or illness, and provides
coverage for loss or theft of baggage and per-
sonal effects. It also provides coverage against
interruption of your EF program due to illness as
well as liability and legal expenses. The EF staff is
trained to assist with your Erika Travel Insurance
questions and claims. When you are sick or
injured the last thing you want to do is deal with
such issues. Let us help you!
11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to
your social and academic success. They not
only help you to relax after a day studying, they
also provide you with an opportunity to meet
and make friends from other classes, other
countries and other cultures. Your school’s ac-
tivities and trips give you the opportunity to apply
your life skills, practice French in real situations
and familiarize yourself with the French culture.
In addition, all museums are free for European
students under 25 years old.
Activity Programme
You will have the chance to take part in a pro-
gramme of sports, activities and excursions.
They are organised by the activity leader at
minimum cost to the student.
12. TransportationThere are several Metro (subway) and bus sta-
tions a few minutes walking from the school;
“Bonne Nouvelle” (subway, line 8 or 9), the
exit which should be taken is rue d’Hauteville,
Grands Boulevard (line 8 or 9), Strasbourg St
Denis (Line 8 or 9) and other subway stations :
8 Paris, France
Sentier (line 3), Bourse (line 3), Le Peletier (line
7). RERA: Opera (10 to 15 minutes walk.) There
are also many bus lines: 20, 39, 48, 67, 74, 85.
Public Transportation
The first metro is at 5:30 am and the last train
leaves the terminals of each line at 12:30 am
except when indicated (1:30 on Saturdays and
bank holidays). Passengers must stamp their
ticket at the point of departure. Metro and bus
maps are available for free in all metro stations.
One ticket costs 1.60€ and a book of ten costs
11.60€ and are used on the metro and on the
bus. They can be purchased on the bus or at
metro stations and at some corner stores.
There are also other travel cards :
❚ Mobilis: This card is valid for one full day
and can be used for an unlimited number of
trips by metro, RER, bus, suburban SNCF
Trains, the Montmartre funicular, the St Denis
Bobigny Tram and night bus. It is possible to
go as far as Euro Disney.
❚ Paris Visite: this card is valid for 1,2,3,4,5
consecutive days over the entire network
of the RATP (metro and buses), RER (fast
metro), SNCF (train) in Paris and Ile de
France, as well as on the some buses and
Roissyrail services in particular (it is possible
to buy it for up to 5 zones + airport). Paris
Visite can be purchased at the Paris Tourism
and convention Bureau, in metro, RER and
SNCF stations as well as in the airports.
❚ Weekly Travel Card: at a cost of 11.60€ per
week this card represents a cost effective way
to travel around Paris. With this card you are
entitled to one week unlimited travel within cen-
tral Paris (Zones 1 and 2), including the bus.
Buses
Please note that buses are often crowded during
rush hour and slower than the metro. The bus
lines that stop near the school are 29, 74, 48, 95.
Noctambus
The noctambus is for travel after the metro
closes. The service includes 10 bus routes
which leave the heart of Paris (Châtelet: avenue
Victoria or Rue Saint Martin) and go to the city
limits. Timetables: Châtelet/suburbs, a bus
leaves every hour between 1:30 a.m and 5:30
a.m. Suburbs/Châtelet: every hour between
1:00 a.m and 5.00 a.m. One ticket costs 2.60€.
Balabus
The balabus will take you to the main tourist
sites in Paris, every Sunday and Public holiday
between Apr 11 and Sept 26, from 12:30
- 20:00. Departures: bus stops are marked
Balabus. The whole trip lasts 50 minutes. Main
stops are: Gare de Lyon, Saint Michel, Musée
d’Orsay, Louvre, Concorde, Champs Elysées,
Charles de Gaulle Etoile, Porte Maillot, Neuilly.
Batobus
The Batobus (literally boat bus) travels up and
down the Seine and is a pleasant way to dis-
cover Paris and its historic centre. Unlike the
Seine cruise boats, it is cheap and allows you
to get on/off at most of the monuments, muse-
ums and prestigious sights situated along the
Seine. It runs seasonally from May-September.
Taxis
You can identify a taxi by the light on its roof.
If the light is switched off, the taxi is unavail-
able. Beware of bogus taxis (missing lights on
the roof) they charge high/unregulated fares.
There are additional charges for luggage, a
fourth passenger and for animals.
Car rentals
The approximate cost for renting a car per
day is 150€.
Bike rentals
You will find addresses for bicycle rentals and
excursions at your school. Prices vary from
16€ to 20€ per day and around 70€ for a
week. Vélo RATP has rental service packages:
ranging from 4€ per hour to 32€ for 8 days.
With “Vélib,” you’ll find stations are all over
Paris to rent your bike. The first 1/2 hour is free
of charge. More details at school
13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a
new experience. We understand that everyone
has their own individual beliefs and anticipations,
however we ask you to come with an open mind.
What you can expect from EF:
❚ Supportive staff, available for guidance and
encouragement.
❚ An academic program which combines language,
special interest, and culture-oriented classes.
❚ Full program of local activities and excursions
at special EF rates.
❚ Accommodation in either homestay or stu-
dent residence.
❚ 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 appro-
priate standardized language exams and avail-
ability of University Placement Service (UPS).
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 French at all times.
❚ To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of
your host country, state, campus and 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 the meal plan.
❚ Access to the school in approximately one
hour by public transportation. All transporta-
tion costs are your responsibility.
14. French culture & living tipsPassport/Visa
Duration of stay between three months and a
year: Citizens of EU countries do not require
visas. Students from outside the EU staying
three months or more, should obtain a “longue
durée” visa prior to arrival. Please check with
your French Embassy regarding the exact
formalities necessary. You will also have to
provide the following documents upon arrival:
Students from outside the EU: In addition to
the “longue durée” visa obtained prior to your
arrival, you will need: a copy of your passport,
three black and white photographs, a copy
of school diplomas (officially translated into
French), birth certificate, bank statement/proof
of funds, health insurance (all officially translated
into French) and the school’s admission letter.
9 Paris, France
Once you have applied for the Carte de Séjour
and provided all the necessary documents,
you will receive from the local authorities a
temporary permit which will allow you to travel
(called a “demande de Carte de Séjour”).
Additionally, after about 1-2 months, non-EU
students will need to go for a routine medi-
cal visit, and then afterwards will receive the
Carte de Séjour which will be attached in their
passport. The mandatory medical visit costs
55€. The entire process normally takes a few
months to complete.
The Schengen Visa
Very important for non-EU students on the
Multi-Language Year Programme or any
non-EU students intending to travel after their
programme in the Schengen states. The fol-
lowing European Countries participate in the
Schengen programme: Austria, Germany,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands.
If applicable, a Schengen Visa issued by a
Consulate of the Countries mentioned allows
the holder to travel freely in these Countries.
For any non-EU students who are not normally
required to hold a visa for individual stays of up
to 90 days in one Schengen Country, but who
will be staying for a consecutive period of more
than 90 days in the Schengen Countries collec-
tively, either a Schengen visa or a valid visa from
each of the countries to be visited is required.
In either case, the visa application(s) must be
completed before you leave your home coun-
try, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa
from outside your home country and would
need to return home in order to obtain the ap-
propriate visa in person.
❚ If you intend to visit only one Schengen
Country, you must apply at the Consulate of
that specific Country.
❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen Coun-
tries, you must apply at the Consulate of the
Country, which is your main destination or
the Country where you will be staying longer.
❚ If you intend to visit several Schengen Coun-
tries, but do not have a main destination or
you will be staying the same amount of time
in each of them, you must apply at the Con-
sulate of the Country you will enter first.
❚ If you do not need a visa for the Schengen
Country which is your main destination,
please note that a visa may be required for
other Schengen Countries. You should then
apply for a visa at the Consulate of the Coun-
try you will enter first.
To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need:
❚ To appear in person at the Visa Office of the
Consulate closest to you. You must submit
the application form filled out completely stat-
ing the reason for requesting a visa and the
expected length of stay in the first Schen-
gen state you will visit as well as a recent
passport-size photograph. Please inquire
with your local consulate to see if more than
one copy of the application form, or multiple
photos will be necessary in your particular
case, which may vary depending on the
countries you intend to visit during your stay.
❚ To present your passport (which must be valid
at least 90 days over your expected stay), proof
of residency in your jurisdiction, a valid round
trip ticket for transportation, and proof of finan-
cial means to support yourself during your stay
to the Visa Office. You should also bring the
acceptance letters from each of the schools you
will be attending in the Schengen Countries,
specifying dates of attendance. If you will be
travelling to another destination following your
stay in the Schengen Countries for which you
are required to hold a separate visa, you will
also need to present this visa when applying for
your Schengen visa. Further documentation
may be requested from you by the Consulate,
particular to your application. Fees will vary;
please enquire at time of application.
Appliances
Electric outlets in France have a 220 voltage and
use round two-pin plugs.
Post offices are usually open weekdays from 8.00
to 18.00 and Saturday from 8.00 to 12.00. Post
offices are always closed on national holidays.
Post and sending mail
A few blocks away from our school is the Cen-
tral Post office located at 52, rue du Louvre
(Métro : Louvre) which operates a 24-hour,
seven day service for international telegrams,
phone calls, and wires. There are also three
other post offices situated near the school. The
nearest is located Impasse Bonne Nouvelle
and is opened from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
Tipping
Five to ten percent in restaurants if the waiters
have been nice and patient. Tipping is not
compulsory, even if some waiters might try
to tell you otherwise. A 15% service fee is
automatically added to the bill in all restau-
rants. You can’t avoid it, but you are advised to
check that it has been accurately calculated.
Entertainment
Cinema tickets cost about 8€. Tickets are
reduced at most cinemas on Mondays and/
or Wednesdays along with Sunday mornings.
For listings of concerts, events and clubs, pur-
chase Pariscope or Figaroscope or L’officiel
des Spectacles.
15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of
students who have come together to learn
French. 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 France. While some
parts of this culture may already seem familiar
to you, experiencing a new culture first-hand
will prove exciting. You will be meeting students
from all over the world who, like you, are looking
forward to spending a year learning and living a
language, both inside and outside the classroom.
As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience
periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are
uncomfortable. Culture shock is what some-
times happens when we try to meet challenges
of our new culture by using the values, beliefs,
and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to
a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-
10 Paris, France
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 French 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, dancing and
music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas
from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your
friends, family and surrounding area.
Important telephone numbers
C
hec
klis
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16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays
The EF International Language Center in Paris
recognizes the following public holidays when
there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on
one of these dates, please check with the
school staff upon your arrival for an exact orien-
tation schedule.
2013
1 January - New Year’s Day
1 April - Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
8 May - Victoire de 1945
9 May - Ascension Day
20 May - Whit Monda
14 July - National Day
15 August - Assumption
1 November - All Saint’s Day
11 November - Armistice de 1918
25 December - First Day of Christmas
26 December - Second Day of Christmas
2014
1 January - New Year’s Day
21 April - Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
8 May - Victoire de 1945
29 May - Ascension Day
14 July - National Day
15 August - Assumption
1 November - All Saint’s Day
11 November - Armistice de 1918
25 December - First Day of Christmas
17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-
sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of
these and pack them in your suitcase
just in case. You don’t need to carry your
passport with you while you are in France
but you must keep it and your other docu-
ments in a safe place while you are in
the country.
■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student
identification cards, travel cards and other
possible documents
■ Flight ticket
■ Luggage correctly labeled
■ EF Confirmation letter & other
EF documents
■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,
especially the Health Certificate
■ Medical and travel insurance documents
■ Basic medical supplies, any medication
you take regularly and a spare pair of con-
tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.
■ An International Driving License if you are
planning on renting a car.
■ Local currency for first week and for any
learning materials that are not included in
the cost of the course.
■ Money in the form of an ATM card
(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards
and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring
large amounts of cash in any currency!).
■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-
ances you plan to bring with you.
■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.
■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.
■ Personal sports equipment.
■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.
■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.
Homestay host’s or student residence name:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address:
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number:
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number:
+(33) 1 55 33 13 55_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number:
+(33) 6 24 55 17 48_________________________________________
Additional notes or numbers:
Transfer (Toll free number from airport): 0800 00 29 21 _________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence address
_________________________________________
Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)
_________________________________________
EF Sales Office telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School telephone number
_________________________________________
EF School emergency telephone number
_________________________________________