Welcome Packet San Diego

San Diego City Center

520 West Ash Street. 2nd Floor San Diego, CA 92101 Tel (619) 702-6300 Fax (619) 619-6393

San Diego Center Hours Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

www.intrax.edu

Welcome to San Diego!

Transportation from the Airport

If you have requested Intrax to arrange your airport pick-up: you must submit your arrival flight details to your agent or Intrax at least 1 week before arrival. You will then receive an airport pick up confirmation form. If you submitted your arrival details but have not received a confirmation, please contact us immediately. If you have any changes to your arrival flight (delay/cancellations/etc), you must call Cloud 9 Super Shuttle at 1-619-564-7998 and talk to a representative or leave a message with your full name & new arrival flight details. Intrax is not responsible for any missed pick-ups if you do not call and follow these instructions. You will be charged for a missed pick-up. Upon arrival, look for the Cloud 9 Super Shuttle representative in the baggage claim area holding a sign with your name on it. If you have any problems with your pick up once in the USA, please call 858-692-2494 or 619-962-1672. In case of an emergency, please call our Intrax emergency number: 415-445-2161. Please state your name, city location and your emergency issue and the staff will assist you. If you are arranging your own transportation: such as a taxi or shuttle bus, please follow the signs from baggage claim. Shuttle vans are a popular and convenient transportation option. Shuttle service is available at the Transportation Plazas across from Terminals 1 and 2, and curbside at the Commuter Terminal. Many companies provide Taxicab Service at San Diego International Airport. If you need a taxi, simply follow the signs leading to the Transportation Plazas. A Transportation Coordinator will place you with the first available taxi. Expect to spend approximately $10 to $20 for a taxicab ride to downtown San Diego. Please remember that a tip (approximately 15%) will be expected by your driver.

Registration, Placement and Classes

Once you arrive in San Diego, please feel free to visit the school- even before you begin! On your first day, youll need to be at the school between 8:30 and 9:00 am. We are located at 520 West Ash St. 2nd Floor San Diego, CA 92101 (see below map). Please bring with you the following items: Passport Balance of all fees and tuition for the session I-20 (if applicable) I-94 (white or green card which you received at your point of entry) ORIGINAL financial certification (F-1 students) Proof of medical insurance (unless you are purchasing from Intrax)

After you complete registration, we will give you the Official English Placement Test to determine your level of proficiency. (You will receive your English placement level and class assignment on the 2nd day of school.) Following the placement test will be an orientation about Intrax San Diego and the community.

1 Intrax SD Welcome Packet 2013

Orientation
After the Official English Placement Test, you are required to attend orientation. During this informational session you will have the opportunity to have any question answered by the Center Director and the San Diego staff. The orientation includes a Center tour and discussion about: Federal and Immigration laws and regulations and institutional policies, including Visa, I20, Attendance and Vacation, refund and cancellation, transfer, etc. Class schedules Class levels Class expectations Textbooks School hours Computer lab use Transportation to and from school Orientation to the city Student i.d. card

You should bring a small amount of cash, a credit card, and/or traveler's checks to use for your personal needs. In the United States, it might be more convenient to have your money in a local bank so you can pay for your expenses more easily. We can guide you on how to open an account in a nearby local bank. However, it takes 10 days or more to have access to your money. Therefore, you should bring enough spending money for at least 2 weeks. You can also use credit cards, travelers checks and cash.

Neighborhoods
FOOD & BEVERAGE 7-Eleven 1670 Kettner Blvd. (three blocks from our school) - Coffee, snacks, international phone cards, and anything you need. Open 24 hours Fabrison's Sweet Cafe and Boutique 1425 India Street (close to Intrax) - Tasty sandwiches, fresh salads and pastries. Novus Deli 1501 India Street (one block from our school) Juice bar and Deli. Yogurtland 1670 India Street (two blocks from our school!) Offers a big selection of yogurt flavors and toppings. POST OFFICE U.S Post Office - 51 Horton Plaza (inside of Horton Plaza). BOOKS San Diego Public Library - 820 E Street Central library. Borders Books & Caf 668 6th Avenue - Books, magazines, music and a caf.

2 Intrax SD Welcome Packet 2013

ENTERTAINMENT Broadway San Diego 3666 Fourth Avenue - www.broadwaysd.com East Village Tavern & Bowl - 930 Market Street - Bowling, pool, food and drinks. Movie Theater Horton Plaza - 475 Horton Plaza. BANKS Citibank 755 Broadway Circle (in front of Horton Plaza). Bank of America 450 B Street.

Accommodation and Meals

Students living with a host family will be provided with 14 meals per week, and must purchase their own lunch at any of the different restaurants, cafs, and delis near the San Diego Campus. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from Intrax. Public bus transportation costs approximately $75-$80 for unlimited use of the bus and trolley system per month. Meals are not included at San Diego residence clubs. Students staying in furnished apartments will purchase their own meals. Cooking facilities are available on each floor and many inexpensive restaurants are nearby each location.

Holidays
Intrax San Diego will be closed & no classes will be held on the following holidays: 2013 Holidays Tuesday, January 1 Monday, February 18 Monday, May 27 Thursday, July 4 Monday, September 2 Thursday, November 21 Friday, November 22 Tuesday, December 24 Wednesday, December 25 Tuesday, December 31 New Years Day Presidents Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Holiday Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Years Eve

Climate and Clothing

You should bring casual clothes, comfortable walking shoes, rainwear, an umbrella, dress shoes and several nice outfits for special occasions. You may also want to bring personal belongings such as tennis rackets, golf clubs, music, camera, etc. The weather is often cooler than most students

3 Intrax SD Welcome Packet 2013

expect. Even in the summer, dont forget to bring a jacket and long pants, since the evenings are cooler. You can check out the forecast at www.weather.com. Enter 92101 as the zip code. For summer, pack your lightweight clothing. Remember to bring your shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, short-sleeved shirts, lightweight pants, bathing suit, beach cover-up and a sweater or jacket, and you will be well prepared. Dont forget your sunscreen as the sun can be very intense for newcomers. During fall, winter and spring, the temperature drops slightly. Bring your jeans, long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts and a warmer jacket. Its not uncommon to see people in shorts even in January. While hats, mittens and boots are not needed in San Diego, you will want to pack them if you plan to head to the mountains for winter sports. Surfers will find that full wet suits are a must in the winter months and that wet suits are recommended even in the summer. There are many sports equipment shops at which you may rent or purchase surf and other sports equipment.

Travel and Transportation in the city

Metropolitan Transit System: The most convenient way to travel around San Diego is by MTS Bus or San Diego Trolley Service. The cost of public transportation is $2.25 and up for a one-way trip. Cash is accepted on buses, but exact change is required. You can buy special passes, e.g. a 4-day pass for $15-$20 (allows use on 4 consecutive service days from date of purchase) and a monthly bus pass for about $75-$85 at the Transit Store (on 102 Broadway). On the 15th day of the month you can purchase a pass for the last two weeks of the month. All trolleys accept MTS passes, available at the Transit Store and vending machines throughout the city. www.sdcommute.com Taxis are also an available form of transportation within the city. The companies below provide service throughout the city and from the airports. SD Yellow Cabs Inc San Diego Cab Orange Cab Silver Cab (619) 234-6161 (619) 226-8294 (619) 223-5555 (619) 280-5555

You may also want to use a car. You need to bring an international driver's license and your home country drivers license with you. If you are staying in the U.S. longer than two months, you will also need to obtain a U.S. driver's license. We can give you information about renting or buying a car once you are in school. To rent a car, you must have a credit card and be 25 years of age. If you buy a car, you must also purchase car insurance.

Drivers Licenses
Can foreign nationals who are temporarily in the U.S. drive on their licenses from their home country? Yes. Bring your drivers license. However, if you are staying in the U.S. longer than two months, you will also need to obtain a U.S. driver's license. There is more information about all

4 Intrax SD Welcome Packet 2013

California driving rules and regulations at the Department of Motor Vehicles website: www.dmv.ca.gov.

Safety Tips
Better safe than sorry SAN DIEGO Welcome to San Diego, California's second largest city. Where blue skies keep watch on 70 miles of beaches and a gentle Mediterranean climate begs for a day of everything and nothing. Bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains, San Diego county's 4,200 square miles offer immense options for business and pleasure. By following the tips below, you will be sure to have a safe stay in our beautiful city. STRANGERS San Diego is a friendly city and most people you meet will be glad to assist you. At the same time, every city has people who take advantage of other people. We recommend that you use judgment when meeting new people. If you talk with a stranger, be cautious in giving them personal information. While sharing your name or home country can be harmless, you should only give your phone number or address to people you trust. Never give out the name, address, or phone number of your host family to a stranger. THEFT When riding on public transportation or travelling around San Diego, dont wear expensive jewelry or carry valuables in the open. For example, if you have a nice camera, put it inside your backpack until you are ready to use it. Also, dont carry large amounts of cash. Use an ATM card, credit card, or travelers checks to access money as you need it. If you are a victim of theft, be sure to report the incident to your host family or the school staff so that they can assist you in making a police report. STREET SMARTS Be sure you know the US laws concerning smoking, alcohol, drugs and curfews. It is a good idea to carry a photo ID (or copy of your passport) and your insurance card with you at all times. If you are staying with a host family, you may also want to keep your hosts name, address and telephone number with you. Your student ID will have the name and address of the school. Remember that Intrax is here to help you. Be sure to ask the Center staff if you have questions or need assistance. We want to make your time at Intrax pleasant and safe.

5 Intrax SD Welcome Packet 2013

We look forward to seeing you in sunny San Diego!

520 West Ash Street. 2nd Floor San Diego, CA 92101

6 Intrax SD Welcome Packet 2013