WELCOME TO SINGAPORE You’ll find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture here. Brimming with unbridled energy, this little dynamo in Southeast Asia emobodies the finest of both the East and West.
International Language Centers
DEAR STUDENT Thank you for choosing to study at the EF International Language Center in Singapore.
HEIDI RUNDT, SCHOOL DIRECTOR, EF INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE CENTER, SINGAPORE
You have made an exciting decision to study in Singapore, a globally connected, multi-cultural, cosmopolitan citystate. Our modern school is in the Clarke Quay vicinity where you can find a wide range of food, drinks, music and entertainment – the perfect location for you to enjoy your free time after classes. Our team is here to help you make the most of your time in Singapore – to reach your academic objective, explore this fantastic country, meet friends from all over the world and have fun! We look forward to welcoming you. Best wishes, Heidi Rundt School Director EF International Language Center Singapore
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION > The minimum age for drinking alcohol and entering nightclubs is 18 years old > You can’t buy tobacco if you’re under 18 (or buy it for someone who is under 18) > Students under 18 years old have a curfew time of 10pm Monday to Thursday and 11pm Friday through Saturday > Smoking isn’t allowed in any public, enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces > Using, buying or selling any non-medicinal drugs is illegal > You can only drive if you have a valid driving license and insurance > You’ll need an adaptor suitable for mains voltage of 220/240V, 50 Hz if you want to use electrical items from your home country > You should leave a tip of 10% in restaurants where no service charge is added to the bill
IMPORTANT DATES 2016 2015 10 November - Deepavali 25 December - Christmas 2016 1 January - New Year’s Day 8-9 February - Chinese New Year 25 March - Good Friday 2 May - Labour Day 21 May - Vesak Day 6 July - Hari Raya Puasa 9 August - National Day
HEALTHCARE You are required to have Medical & Travel Insurance when traveling to Singapore. Singapore General Hospital Outram Road Singapore Tel: +65 6222 3322
Gleneagles Hospital 6A Napier Road Gleneagles Hospital Singapore Tel: +65 6473 7222
Jade Medical Clinic Pte Ltd 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-46 The Central Singapore Tel: 62259813
Find out more at www.moh.gov.sg
MONEY MATTERS The Singapore dollar (SGD$) is the basic monetary unit in Singapore. Paper currency comes in denominations (values) of $2, $5, $10, $50, $100, $1000 and $10,000. Coins com in denominations of $.01, $.05, $.10, $.20, $.50 and $1. 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$300 SGD of spending money a week.
WHAT’S THE COST?
$5 Laundry
$2 Bus ticket
$3 Train ticket
$3
$2
Sandwich
Coca Cola
HOW TO FIND US EF Singapore 15 Carpenter Street 059904 Singapore Tel: +65 6834 4610
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There are currently 5 Underground MRT Train lines and buses – and a light rail system in the North. Taxis are also cheap and plentiful. To travel on public transport simply purchase an ezlink travel card for $12 (including $7 of travel credit).
WEATHER WATCH
IN AN EMERGENCY
Dial 101 and ask for the service you need. You can reach the police, ambulance and fire service all on this number. There are a range of fee-paying numbers for directory enquiries.
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GETTING AROUND
VISA INFORMATION
A Student Pass Visa is required for all courses that are 5 weeks or longer. Assessment Level 1 & 2 countries also require an entry visa for all course lengths. Please contact your local EF Office for more information.
Temperatures in Singapore 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)
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INSURANCE
You must have Medical & Travel Insurance in order to travel to Singapore. Erika Insurance Ltd. offers travel coverage tailor made for EF. Coverage includes medical costs (both public and private health care), medicine, theft, travel delay, liability and course fee if you interrupt the program due to illness or accident. Your school staff knows how Erika works and can help you.
HOW TO GET HERE With an EF transfer When you arrive at the Singapore airport our greeter will meet you at the arrivals lounge. Look for the greeter holding up an EF sign with your name on it. If after 30 minutes of waiting, you still haven’t found the greeter, please call the EF Emergency number +65 9113 3467. You can also go to the information desk where you can ask someone to help you contact EF. On your own 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. There are three methods of transportation from the airport into the city: public bus, train (MRT) or a taxi.
Orchard Road
Raffles
Great World City
Esplanade Theatre
Clarke Quay Pearl’s Hill City Park
Singapore Flyer
EF SINGAPORE
Chinatown College of Medicine
Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
City Gallery
Marina South City Park
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IMPORTANT ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS
My local EF office Address: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________ Skype: _____________________________________________________________________ You can find the following information on My EF. My transfer service Address: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________________________________________ Emergency phone number: ____________________________________________________ My accommodation Address: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________________________________________ My EF Username: __________________________________________________________________ Password: __________________________________________________________________