Welcome Packet San Francisco

San Francisco City Center

Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 Tel (415-835-9766) Fax (415) 873-1380

San Francisco Center Hours Monday Friday 8:30 4:30

www.intrax.edu

Welcome to San Francisco!

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 OEC Shuttle Service: 1-888-863-2482 (if calling within the USA) or 1-415-459-7632 (if calling from outside the USA) 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 into SFO: For International Flights: Walk to the Arrivals Hall through the doors that say "San Francisco" for the International Arrivals Meeting Area and ground transportation options. Look for the Information Booth. OEC Shuttle Services will be waiting for you and holding a sign with your name on it. For Domestic Flights: Follow the signs to baggage claim. An Intrax representative will be waiting for you and holding a sign with your name on it in the baggage claim area.

If you cannot find the Intrax representative after 10 minutes of searching, please call OEC Shuttle Services toll-free from any pay phone. If nobody answers the phone, you must leave a MESSAGE and please call again: 1-888-863-2482 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 from SFO: such as a taxi or shuttle bus, please follow the signs from baggage claim. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train runs from SFO airport to downtown San Francisco and to areas outside San Francisco. The SFO BART Station is located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (Boarding Area G Side). BART is easily accessed from any terminal by riding SFOs AirTrain to the Garage G/BART Station stop (http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/atsfo/airtrain/map/.) There is no charge to board AirTrain. BART tickets can be purchased at any BART Station and the ticket cost varies depending on your destination (http://www.bart.gov/tickets/calculator/index.aspx.) A ticket from SFO to downtown San Francisco costs about $8 to $10. BART stops service at midnight. AIRPORT SHUTTLES: There are many van services which leave from the airport for about $15-$20 per person and will take you directly to your hotel. The van services congregate in a group on the airports second level one floor above the baggage claim at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). All the prices are about the same, but make sure you know the price before you leave the curb. The driver will expect a $2-$3 tip per person. You can get

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a van at almost any time of the day or night. You can find more detailed information about shuttle services at http://www.sftravel.com/shutl.html. TAXICABS are available on a first come, first serve basis and are located outside on the lower level of the airport. Shared ride service is available. There are no flat rates because all taxicabs run on meters. Expect to spend approximately $35-$45 for a taxicab to downtown San Francisco. Please remember that a tip (approximately 15%) will be expected by your driver.

Registration, Placement and Classes

Once you arrive in San Francisco, 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 101 Spear St, 4th Floor, San Francisco CA, 94105 (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 Francisco and the community.

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 Francisco staff. The orientation includes a Center tour and discussion about: School tour Federal and Immigration laws and regulations and institutional policies, including Visa, I20, Attendance and Vacation, refund and cancellation, transfer, etc. Class schedule Class levels Class expectations Textbooks School hours Computer lab Transportation to and from school Orientation to the city

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Student i.d. card Traveling

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.

Neighborhood
FOOD & BEVERAGE At the Rincon Center Cicils Caf Theos Cheesesteaks Cosmopolitan Caf Thai to Go Yank Sing Taqueria Pepes Wraps to Go SOMA Chicken Rivera Grill Sorabol (Noodles, etc.) Caffe Focaccia YoCup Arabi Muskaan Nas Coffee Market Street Subway Massimo Caf Noahs New York Bagels One Market Restaurant The San Francisco Ferry Building Peets Blue Bottle Coffee Delica (Japanese American Food) Mijita (Mexican) The Slanted Door Il Cane Rosso Foot Court Across from Center Starbucks 360 Burritos Pasta Para diso Teriyaki Express SF Soup Company Caf Elena (Mediterranean AND Juice bar)

POST OFFICE U.S Post Office 180 Steuart St. (Inside the Rincon Center). BOOKS San Francisco Public Library 100 Larkin St Main Library. Book Passage 1 Ferry Building #42 Upbeat bookstore near the center. ENTERTAINMENT Intrax Activity Calendar Every month Intrax offers a variety of cultural and social activities and trips around the city.

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AMC Loews Theatres (Metreon) 16 101 4th St. http://sf.funcheap.com/ -- website highlighting fun and cheap events around the city. BANKS Wells Fargo Banks 100 Spear St., Ste 100 (right across from Rincon Center) City Bank 245 Market St. Bank of America 1 Market St.

Accommodation and Meals

Students living with a host family will be provided 14 meals per week (breakfast and dinner), and can purchase their own lunch at various delis or shops near the San Francisco Center. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from Intrax. A monthly transportation card costs $60$80. Some Residence Clubs include breakfast & some do not include any meals. Students staying in Residence Clubs will be responsible for purchase and preparing their own meals in the Residence Club kitchen. Grocery stores and many inexpensive restaurants are available nearby.

Holidays
Intrax San Francisco 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

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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 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 94105 as the zip code. Summer (August-October): You should bring some lightweight clothes. Remember to bring your shorts, T-shirts, a swimsuit, short-sleeved shirts, lightweight pants, sweatshirts and a summer jacket or sweaters. Make sure to also bring a raincoat and umbrella, as San Francisco summers are unpredictable and often cold and foggy. Fall/Spring: Bring a few cotton sweaters, long sleeved shirts, lightweight pants, a jacket, and jeants are most useful. Springtime ranges from cool to warm, with rain in March/April, but plenty of sunshine other days. Winter: For winter, you will need heavier and warmer clothing; a heavy sweater, long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, heavy pants, gloves and a winter coat are necessary. While you will not need snow gear in San Francisco, you may want to bring some along for any weekend trips to the local mountains.

Travel and Transportation in the city

Most students find that the most convenient way to travel around the area is by bus, BART (subway), or Muni train. There is a transportation card called Clipper that allows you to ride busses, Muni, BART and other public transportation options (https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/index.do) The Clipper card costs $0 to $5 and you are able to add as much money to it as you want. You can refill it when it when the money runs out. We will discuss this option with you during Orientation. Other monthly transportation pass options are available and cost between $60-$80. Buses and Muni trains cost $2.00 per ride, and tickets are valid for a few hours. Cash is accepted to purchase tickets, but exact change is required on buses and Muni trains. Buses are convenient for travel around the city, and the subway and trains offer transportation to most San Francisco Bay area cities. You can find more information about San Francisco Transportation at www.sfmta.com. Although we do not recommend buying a car in San Francisco, you may want to use one while you are here for travel outside the City. You need to bring an international driver's 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 a car. In order 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. There is more information about all California driving rules and regulations at the Department of Motor Vehicles website: www.dmv.ca.gov.

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Taxis are also an available form of transportation within the city. The companies below provide service throughout the city and from the airports. DeSoto Cab Co. Luxor Cab Co. Metro Cab Co. Yellow Cab Co. (415) 970-1300 (415) 282-4141 (415) 920-0715 (415) 333-3333

Safety Tips
Better safe than sorry SAN FRANCISCO You have selected one of the safest big cities in America for your English instruction. Most San Franciscans are eager to assist visitors with directions, and very few of our students have problems with crime. By following the tips below, you will help us keep our status as a safe city. STRANGERS San Francisco 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. GETTING AROUND Always know where you are going; get precise directions before you depart for your destination. Before going to an unfamiliar area, ask a member of the school staff or your host family if the neighborhood is safe. If you are going to a questionable neighborhood, or traveling late at night, go in a group and travel via taxi. THEFT When riding on public transportation, 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. GOOD NEWS As in all countries, most of the people you meet in the US will be honest and kind. However, there are bad people in the world, and you may be at a higher risk if you do not understand the culture. If you do find yourself in a bad situation, surrender your belongings without a fight. Remember,

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material possessions can be replaced; you cannot. Be sure to use the school and your host family as resources. We are here to make your stay pleasant and safe. SCAMS As in many countries, sometimes there are people who take advantage of people new to the city. If you think that someone is asking you to do something that doesnt make sense to you, please ask someone at Intrax for help. Under no circumstances should you cash a check or money order for someone you do not know no matter how good they make it sound! Some common online scams include: Apartment scams Someone will ask you to cash a check for them (either a potential new roommate, landlord, etc) they will tell you to keep a percentage of the money and send the rest back to them. Job scams Someone will pay you for a job online before you do the job and ask you to keep some of the money, cash their check and send back the rest. THESE ARE SCAMS! We are here to help you, so please let us know if someone asks you to do this. 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.

We look forward to seeing you in beautiful San Francisco!

Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105

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