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Pre-Departure Student Guide

Find useful information about preparing for EF Academy New York—all in one place

Welcome to New York

Prepare for EF Academy New York by reviewing this page filled with helpful information, including packing lists, instructions about flying to the US and what to expect during your first days on campus. You'll also find more specific information in the Student Handbook.

Read the Welcome Plan, which includes videos, a webinar and other useful deadlines throughout the year. Keep this page handy and refer back in the Spring when the Student Handbook, Course Catalog and Academic Calendar become available for the next academic year.

Welcome Plan Videos:

Documents and items

Make sure to bring the following documents and items with you in your hand luggage:

  • Valid passport and VISA

  • Printed E-ticket or boarding pass

  • Charged phone and other electronics

  • Emergency contact numbers in case of delay or a missed flight

  • Pocket money (in cash)

  • Printed and signed copy of your I-20 Form

  • Any prescription medicines that you take

  • Your US SIM card (see below)

Important!

Your US phone number

EF Academy New York requires that all students have a smartphone with an American phone number (US SIM card) with country code +1.

Students should order one in advance to insert in their phones before travel. Some carriers like MINT Mobile now have eSIM cards as well

Please share your American mobile number with your home admissions office as soon as you have received it.

Packing list

This list will help you remember the most important things you’ll need as you study abroad. Don’t forget that you’ll always be able to purchase things you need if you forget something important!

Flights and arrival

Welcome to the United States! You made it! Getting off a plane in a new country can feel a little disorienting, so let’s make sure your arrival is a smooth one.


Your flight information

It is very important that you share your flight details with your enrollment advisor and campus staff by August 1st, so we know when you are arriving. The best thing to do is to forward your flight confirmation to [email protected] when you book your flight. We are also happy to help book the flight for you, so feel free to reach out to your local office for help. Please book your flight for daytime arrival to New York (6am-8pm) so your roommates and staff can be awake to give you a warm welcome!

Your arrival in the USA

It is strongly encouraged that EF Academy students travel to the US and to campus with a parent/guardian in their first year. In the event a parent/guardian cannot accompany you, please review arrival expectations.

If you are traveling alone, when you first get off the plane you might feel a little lost and disoriented. Don’t worry, this happens to everyone! Airports have good systems in place and it is relatively easy to find your way around. This is what you’ll do:

1. Go through immigration

When you land in the USA, follow the signs that say ‘Immigration’ or ‘Arrival.’ There are usually long lines here, so please be patient. When you get to the desk, the official will ask to see your passport, visa, I-20 and probably also go through a routine fingerprint and photo check. You will also be asked questions about your travels. Be calm and honest. Tell them that you are coming to the US to study and when you will return to your home country – this last one is very important!

2. Pick up your luggage at Baggage Claim

After you have cleared Immigration, you will follow signs to Baggage Claim, where you’ll pick up your checked luggage. To find out which conveyor belt will have your bag, check the flight numbers on the TV monitors. When you get your bag, be sure to check the name tag before leaving – a lot of bags look the same!

3. Go through Customs

Once you have your bags, it is time to go through Customs. Here you will give the Customs Declaration Form (which you filled out on the plane) to the officer. They might want to look inside your bags to check for any illegal goods. Again, don’t worry, this is a common procedure.

4. Proceed to the Exit or Arrivals Hall

From this point on, look out for our airport greeters. They will be carrying EF Academy signs and be easy to find. Make sure you verify that they have your name on their pick-up list since many students are arriving on the same date. You should also make sure you have the school address with you just in case. If you cannot find your driver, wait at the arrivals area. Do not leave the arrivals area. If you can’t find them, you can call the Director on Duty at +1-914-505-4874.

Help is near

If you have any problems when you arrive at the airport, please call the Director on Duty: +1-914-505-4874

If you miss a flight or have any problems along the way, please call the Director on Duty: +1-914-505-4874

If something happens to your checked bag, you should report this before leaving the airport. Go straight to your airline’s service desk or the desk saying ‘Lost Baggage’. Show them the baggage receipt you got with your boarding pass when you first checked in. You will be asked some questions about your luggage, and they will give you a confirmation which you will need if you are claiming money from your insurance company. Remember, insurance companies usually do not cover any damaged or lost luggage if you don’t report it right away at the airport.

Campus life

During your first few weeks on campus, you will make many friends from around the world and discover a completely new way of learning. As part of your first weeks, you will:

  • Meet the adults who support you in the dorms, called RAs (residential advisors) and dorm heads

  • Meet your roommate(s) if you are sharing a room

  • Get a campus tour

  • Take placement assessments for English and Math (and optional science)

  • Audition or interview for certain higher-level Art courses

  • Decide on the subjects you will be taking if you have not already

  • Attend information sessions (including for sports)

  • Participate in activities that will help you start making friends. There is a team of returning student leaders that will help with all of this, called Mentors, in addition to many adults

  • Meet your University and Academic Advisor. The person who will discuss your course schedule and guide you throughout your high school career in preparation for university entry

Residential life

Living on campus is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to take care of yourself while making friends for life. Just like being a solid student, successful and satisfying dorm living requires a high degree of personal responsibility and respect for others.

  • Twin bed with extra-long mattress

  • One set of sheets and towels

  • Blinds

  • Desk, chair and lamp

  • A closet or set of drawers

  • Set of drawers

  • An amazing roommate or two! (unless you've upgraded to a single room, of course)

  • Refrigerators

  • Electric blankets

  • Irons

  • Hot plate

  • Heating coils

  • Coffee machines

  • Halogen lamps

  • Sunlamps

  • Candles

  • Propane torches

  • Firecrackers

  • Weapons

  • Rice cookers

  • Lighters

  • Incense

  • Anything capable of reaching high heat levels or containing an open flame is forbidden. Nothing that is or remotely resembles a weapon can be anywhere on campus.

Room assignments

How rooms are assigned.

Room assignments are made by the school before you arrive, taking into account your responses on the roommate survey sent in July. Living arrangements are decided based on age and gender. We always try to have students of different nationalities sharing a room; after all, what better way to learn about a new culture than from your roommate!

*Roommate surveys are not conducted prior to January start on account of limited dorm room availability mid-year. The below policy on room changes remains the same.

Policy on room changes

Room changes are not allowed during the first eight weeks of school. We find that when you give it some time, students wind up getting along. It is not healthy for relationship development or your school career to change rooms right away if you have a clash with your roommate. The first step in any roommate dispute is always mediation. If you ever have difficulty talking to your roommate or need support in addressing a conflict, ask your residential advisor, dorm parent, or dorm head - they’re here to help you!

Living on campus

At boarding school, you are the primary person responsible for looking after yourself. Learn to live independently by organizing your responsibilities.

Pocket money

Although your daily meals and shuttles to and back from popular areas in the town of Mount Pleasant are covered by school fees, you’ll probably want to spend some money on extra activities and weekends. We recommend a minimum budget of 300 USD per month.

Parents: Please make sure your child always has access to at least this much money on a monthly basis. We recommend that you bring a bank or a credit card from home. There are Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the main lobby of the school to withdraw cash from major debit/credit cards.

Laundry

This might be the first time you’ll need to do laundry by yourself, but there are plenty of people on campus to help you out. Washers and dryers are located on campus and operated through an app that you can download on your phone. Simply enter your credit card information, scan the code on the washer or dryer, and voila!

Washers and dryers are available from 7 am until 10 pm; however, washing during Study Hall hours requires special permission. Several dry cleaners are also located in Thornwood and Hawthorne.

Cleaning

You and your roommates are responsible for keeping your room tidy. Make sure to make your bed, hang up your clothes, regularly empty the trash and vacuum your room. There is a vacuum in each hall that you can borrow; just ask your Residential Advisor. Residential Advisors inspect rooms for cleanliness on a weekly basis but also visit rooms at random intervals without previous notice. The school housekeeping team cleans communal bathrooms daily and en suite bathrooms once a week.

Traveling off campus

Travel to New York City requires a higher level of vigilance and self-awareness, but our students rarely experience difficulties. When students want to go check out a museum or a new restaurant in NYC, there are convenient transportation options close to campus. For day trips, students must ensure they’re back on campus in time for curfew. You can always call the emergency number if you experience any difficulties traveling to or from the city. Travel off campus will be closely monitored.

Note: Students in grades 9, 10, and the Preparation Program are not permitted to travel to New York City unless they are on a school-sponsored trip or traveling with a parent or guardian. Taxis and rideshare apps--including Uber and Lyft--are not permitted for students in any grade level. Violations of this expectation will result in disciplinary actions.

School sponsored trips

On weekends, EF Academy's Activities Team plans trips and organizes transportation to shopping malls and other points of interest in and around New York City. All students can sign up for these trips, with priority given to grade 9 and 10 students who are not allowed to travel to NYC on their own.

School shuttle and trains

Our shuttle operates Saturday and Sunday, taking students from campus to Pleasantville train station (with a Starbucks and other restaurants) and back to campus. From Pleasantville, trains can take you to Manhattan, White Plains, and upstate. Train schedules can be accessed online and tickets can be purchased at the station or in the MTA app.

Sign-in and sign-out

In order to leave campus, students must obtain an approved off-campus pass via their Orah app. This is to ensure that we know where you are at all times and can care for your safety.

Settling in

Leaving home at your age and travelling to study and live in a boarding school with young people from all over the world is exciting and transformative, but it can also be challenging. Don’t worry if it takes you some time to adjust. Adapting to a new environment, schedule, people and even homework takes time and patience. It also takes a support network of adults here on campus, in addition to your family back home, to work together to see you through until you are fully on your feet.

Residential Advisors, Dorm Heads and University & Academic Advisors (UAA's) will interact with you most, especially at first. Go to these adults with questions and needs, but always feel free to ask any adult for support. Once classes begin, students also have teachers and a dedicated faculty advisor for support.

Staying healthy

Proper hydration, sufficient sleep, good nutrition and exercise form the basis of good health. Keeping your room clean is helpful prevention as well. While the Health Center and residential life staff will support you in staying healthy, you must also take responsibility for your own well-being.

ERIKA insurance: All students (except US and Canadian residents) are covered by ERIKA insurance. The ERIKA insurance policy covers most accidents and illnesses.

Staying safe

Boarding school provides you with a safety net, allowing you to try new things without fear or trepidation. At EF Academy, you are supported not only by teachers but by dorm heads and Advisors, coaches, nurses, club advisors, counselors and more.

The role of the Residential Life team is to care for you and help you make good decisions. On campus there is a security team whose mission is to keep the school community safe. The security team screens guests and visitors and ensures that the laws are abided by. The way you conduct yourself, both on and off campus, is essential to staying safe. Please refer to the EF Academy Agreement.


Here is the official Student Handbook for the 2023-2024 school year. Please thoroughly read through the entire booklet. Our faculty and staff will be able to answer any questions you have regarding the information once you are on campus.

Our professional 24-hour security team is dedicated to preserving the safety and security of the entire campus community. They are also involved in supporting any investigation of alleged illegal activity (drinking, drugs, theft, etc.) and/or rule breaking.

More tips for new students

Our blog has plenty of articles about preparing for boarding school. Here are a few you might find particularly helpful.

Making your own room

At the end of a long day of classes and activities, nothing feels better than coming to a room that feels like your own. Check out our tips for turning your dorm into your new home.

Dealing with homesickness

When moving to a new country and a new school, you may experience homesickness at times. This is normal and something all students go through! Here are a few tips from an EF Academy student to help get you through the tough times.

Learning how to budget

Balancing a budget is something every student studying away from home should become familiar with. Here are a few basic concepts for budgeting!

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