Estimate includes tuition and housing costs ONLY. An additional Materials & Technology fee will be required for each session of study. All prices are listed in US Dollars the local currency of the ELS Center. Program & housing availability as well as cost are subject to change.
Centers & Locations
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ELS/San Francisco - North Bay is located on the campus of Dominican University of California (DUC). Just north of San Francisco, the city of San Rafael is safe and beautiful. The Center is within walking distance of DUC. The area offers outdoor activities, such as hiking, golf, swimming and sailing.
Campus Facility Use
Mild winter weather
San Francisco & Berkeley convenient by public transportation
Napa & Sonoma Wine Country nearby for weekend trips
Parks & Beaches: Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach or Pt. Reyes Seashore also close enough for weekend trips
The Complete Prep Program for the TOEFL® iBT has been added to your estimate.
2013 Cost Per Session
$2040 USD
Pennafort Hall(Student Residence (On Campus))
Conveniently located in the same building as ELS, the on-campus dorm offers triple rooms with suite-style bathrooms. Rooms have activated telephones and high speed internet access. All students may use the DUC Student Union complete with billiards, foosball, ping pong, and a big screen TV.
Students have full, free access to all campus facilities including the newly renovated sports complex, library, computer room, campus dining hall, etc. Downtown San Rafael is just a short walk away as is the San Rafael Transit Center where students can catch the bus to go to San Francisco. Students can catch the #49 bus (bus stop at the campus entrance) to go downtown or to the Northgate Shopping Mall.
Many Dominican University students live in Pennafort Hall. ELS students room together, but they have many opportunities to meet American students in the dorm. Dominican University resident assistants are on-duty and available to assist students. They also arrange social events for the students living in the dorm. ELS students are always welcome to participate in all on-campus events.
Price per Session
$1385
Occupancy
Triple
Minimum Age
18
Airport Pickup
$150
Meals / week or Meal Credit
14 meals per week
San Rafael Student Home(Student Residence (Off Campus))
The ELS Student Home in San Rafael is located in a very safe, quiet area. It is within a short 5 minute free shuttle ride offered to and from the center, and also provides free trips upon students' requests to the nearby mall and grocery stores.
The San Rafael Student Home offers private (single) and shared (double and triple) bedrooms. Private bedrooms are available as "standard" (shared bathroom) and "superior" (private bathroom, cable-installed television, dvd player and refrigerator located in the room). Shared bedrooms and bathrooms are usually for two to three students.
The Student Home also offers "standard" double suites and "deluxe" double or triple suites. Students opting for the "standard" room share a bathroom and living area with other residents. When a bedroom is shared, students are usually paired with another student from a different country, but you can also request to stay with a friend. Students who wish to reside in a "deluxe" suite receive amenities that include a flat screen television, dvd player, refrigerator and a shared private bathroom in the room. The house is divided into separate male and female areas.
Each room is provided with linens (mattress cover, bed sheets, 2 blankets, 1 towel, and 1 pillow) as well as a desk and closet space. There is also additional storage space located on the facility to place empty luggage and bicycles. Each student is also provided with plates, pots & pans, cutlery, and cooking utensils.
\*Located in a safe residential neighborhood just 3.5 KM from ELS
\*Free daily shuttle van to ELS and anywhere in San Rafael
\*Walking distance to a large shopping mall with cinemas, restaurants, and inexpensive food court
\*Next to bus stop with bus service to San Francisco
\*Shared living rooms with TV and DVD players
\*Wireless internet
\*Shared dining room
\*Shared fully equipped kitchen
\*Recreation room
\*Laundry room
\*Daily cleaning service for common areas and requested bathrooms
Price per Session
$720 - 1480
Occupancy
Double Deluxe, Double, Single Deluxe, Single, Triple
Minimum Age
18
Airport Pickup
$150
Meals / week or Meal Credit
No meals included, but students may cook in the large and well equipped kitchen, or eat at the nearby restaurants or food court that are within walking distance of the Student Home.
Homestays in the area(Homestay)
Host family students are responsible for their personal transportation. Most students commute to ELS by bus, or bicycle, although there are a few families within walking distance
Price per Session
$1105
Occupancy
Single
Minimum Age
14
Airport Pickup
$150
Meals / week or Meal Credit
14 meals per week
Computer center
Gymnasium
Ping pong
Snack bar
Soccer field
Golf course nearby (fee)
Tennis court(s)
Language Technology Center (LTC)
Music practice room(s)
Aerobics & other fitness classes (fee)
Health center
Basketball court(s)
Library
Recreational park
Billiards (pool)
Swimming pool (outdoor)
Volleyball court(s)
Fitness Center
Wheelchair accessible
Cafeteria
Meet the Staff
Matt Mercurio
Center Director
Greetings from ELS San Francisco-North Bay! My name is Matt Mercurio and I am the Center Director.
I grew up in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from both West Virginia University (BA) and HULT International Business School (MA). During my time at HULT, I was one of five Americans in the program and had the opportunity to study, socialize and travel with my classmates from 26 different countries. I've also lived across the US, including: Chicago, Denver, San Diego, and now here in San Francisco. I've worked, studied and traveled around Asia and the UAE and it’s been a life-long goal of mine to visit each continent!
I thoroughly enjoy meeting students from all around the world and watching their English skills progress throughout their time here in San Francisco-North Bay. Myself and the rest of the team here at ELS San Francisco-North Bay look forward to meeting you!
Jessamyn Embry
Academic Director
Hi, my name is Jess. Originally from Connecticut, I graduated from American University in 2003 with a BA in International Studies and concentrations in International Development and United States Foreign Policy. During college, I studied abroad in France, India and Northern Ireland. These experiences helped me discover my passion for language learning and international education. After I graduated, I began teaching English as a Second Language in Los Angeles. Since then I have taught or managed programs in California, France, Vermont, and Mexico. In 2009, I decided to return to the United States to pursue a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language at the SIT Graduate Institute. I enjoy hiking and biking in Marin County and seeking out the spiciest food and best book stores in San Francisco. I love working with international students. Please come and talk with me any time!
Emily Howard
Assistant Academic Director
Hello! My name is Emily and I am the Assistant Academic Director here at ELS San Francisco – North Bay. I was originally born in Spain, but I grew up in San Diego, California. I have gone on to live in many places around the world including New York, San Francisco, Japan, and the United Kingdom. I received my BA in English Literature from San Francisco State University in 2008 and went into publishing Language Learning Materials. In 2009, I moved to Japan to teach English as a Second Language. After 16 months in Japan, I decided to pursue my MA in Comparative Education at the Institute of Education in London. After graduating and returning to the US in 2011, I taught ESL in San Diego and San Rafael and I am happy to be serving our students now as the Assistant Academic Director. I love learning about other languages and eating new kinds of food. Whenever you come by the office, let’s chat!
Laurel Druke
International Student Advisor
Hello, my name is Laurel Druke and I am the International Student Advisor for ELS – San Francisco North Bay. I am a California native and have lived in many places throughout this beautiful state. I graduated from Dominican University of CA with a BA in Political Science and a BA in Business Administration. While at Dominican, I was very involved with clubs and organizations on campus. Global Ambassadors, a program at Dominican, encouraged me to experience new cultures, languages, and foods. I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and learning about their backgrounds. In my free time, I enjoy visiting new locations, trying new cuisine, and most of all spending time with my corgi, Tater Tot.
Please come by and say hello to me in the ELS Office!
Akiko Hirai Kong
Registrar
Greetings! I’m Akiko, the Registrar here at San Francisco – North Bay center.
I’m originally from Kobe, Japan and I’ve been living in the San Rafael area for quite a long time now. I find this area and environment very comfortable to both live and study.
I enjoy the year-round relatively mild weather, friendly people and diverse environment both on campus and downtown. I also belong to my local church’s choir group, where I enjoy singing!
I studied International Business Administration and worked for a travel agency in Japan.
I also studied English as a second language at this location many years ago and I know how fun and exciting it is to study abroad.
I understand it can be very challenging learning a new language and being immersed in a new culture, so know we are here to help you, achieve your goal, to enjoy your school life in the US!
All the thank you notes from our former students are my precious treasure..!
I look forward to welcoming you here at San Francisco – North Bay!
Tamaki
February 25, 2013
Last week, ELS San Francisco North Bay had an unexpected guest - a former Japanese student visiting his roots here in San Rafael and saying goodbye one last time to friends and family here in San Francisco.
ELS: So why are you back here in San Rafael?
Tamaki: I just graduated from University of La Verne, and have three weeks off until I go back to Japan. I wanted to say bye to the staff, teachers and my host family here. I also wanted to drive the west coast again on Route 1 before I left.
ELS: What was your first impression of ELS here in San Francisco-North Bay?
Tamaki: The campus is very nice and the people are very friendly. I was able to meet a lot of new students and learn quickly about American culture.
ELS: What was your favorite memory while here?
Tamaki: My favorite memory was Halloween. This was the first time I dressed for the occasion and found it really funny that EVERYONE dressed up, even the teachers.
We took a group of ELS students to the local bowling alley. We met up with some American students and played many rounds of bowling. We had lots of winners ranging from 75pts to 160pts.
Took a group of new students on a San Francisco tour. Stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge, visited Fisherman's Wharf, and shopped in Union Square. The real treat was doing the tour in a limo! The ELS San Francisco North Bay has a San Francisco tour the 1st Saturday of each session.
A group of students from Japan were interested in teaching their culture to children. We took them to a local after school program so they could teach Japanese games such as Kendama
This year at ELS San Francisco - North Bay, we celebrated Halloween with an office decorating party, a pumpkin carving contest, and a Halloween extravaganza, complete with games, snacks, and prizes.
Downloads
ELS at the Dominican University of California
Provides a brief description of ELS, our Programs and the San Rafael ELS Language Center. The flyer also offers some specific attributes of the university, its programs and other helpful information.
