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EC San Diego Pre-Arrival to First Day

School Number

Mainline and e-phone: 
+1 (858) 449-3758 (Mon-Fri, 08:00 – 16:30)
Airport Transfer Number: +1 (858) 442- 3347

Emergency Number

(For use outside of office hours only)

+1 858 442 3347 (Inside US) *If line is busy, please try again

Address

Street entry: 1225 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Mailing Address: 7979 Ivanhoe Avenue #225 La Jolla, CA 92037

Pre-Arrival

We have compiled the latest US safety regulations information in our presentation outlining the “new normal” for our schools in the US. While we have had to make some adjustments to teaching in the time of COVID-19, we promise to deliver EC excellence as always. Please click here to view.

EC Online
WWhat is EC Online? 

EC Online is a personalized study tool and powerful learning companion throughout your EC journey. It also offers information on the latest covid guidelines, information about your EC centre, accommodation and information about living in your chosen destination.

Please Complete Your Online Placement Test before Arrival

  • To help us place you in the right level when you start studying with us, you must complete your Online Placement test before you arrive at school. 
  • If you do not complete this test before your first day, you may miss some of the first day activities and/or class time as this test must be completed before you start class. 
  • The Online Placement Test focuses on Reading, Writing and Use of English (Grammar and Vocabulary) and consists of 66 questions. 
  • Your speaking level will be assessed on your first day in school 
  • For the instructions on how to complete your Online Placement Test, please click here 

When can I access EC Online? 
You will have access to EC Online as soon as you receive your booking confirmation. Start by logging in here: https://signin.ecenglish.com/student

What else must I do on EC Online before my arrival? 

 

  • Complete your Important Personal Details Form
  • Download the NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace App
  • Complete your Student Risk Assesment
  • Download Microsoft Teams
  • Complete yout Needs Analysis Form
  • Complete your placement test  
  • Fill in the pre-arrival survey
  • Access a bank of study materials to start learning before you even leave home

Please note, due to COVID-19 it is important that you take your test online before your first day at school, please find the instructions on how to do the online test here.

Arrival

Arrival at Airport
(All students under 18 years old must book return airport transfers if arriving and departing between 8:00pm and 8:00am)
I want an EC airport transfer, can I arrive at any time? 
If you have booked accommodation with EC you must arrive at the airport between 08:00 and 20:00. Late/early arrivals may be asked to book alternative accommodation.

What information do I need to give to book an airport transfer? 
Please provide your flight number, arrival time, terminal and airport of origin – minimum 2 weeks in advance. 

Who will I meet at the airport? 
You will meet the 24/7 Global Transportation driver holding an EC San Diego sign at the terminal information desk.

What should I do if I cannot find the EC representative? 
If after 10 minutes you cannot see the 24/7 Global Transportation driver, go to the airport information desk. The driver may be waiting for you there. From the information desk you can call the EC Emergency phone:+1 858-442-3347. Useful phrase to use: Hi, My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My student number is (123456). I cannot find my EC representative. I am at the information desk.

What should I do if I have missed my flight or my flight is delayed? 
You should notify EC by calling 1-858-449-3758 (from the information desk or a mobile phone or What's app call) to rearrange your transfer time and avoid additional cost. Useful phrase to use: My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My student number is (123456) and my flight has been changed. My new flight number is (1234) arriving at (time).
What should I do if I haven’t booked an EC transfer?
Take a taxi from the airport, which can be found at the taxi stand outside of the baggage claim area.

Arrival at EC Accommodation

What should I expect at my EC accommodation? 
We are planning to offer homestay accommodation. All host families have been informed on how to provide a safe home for students, adhering to the guidelines on protecting the home and its occupants from COVID-19.

First Sunday Activities

What should I do on the Sunday before school starts? 
Kindly note that due to COVID 19, all Sunday activities have been suspended. We will be organizing Welcome Talks on Monday mornings before classes start. Every Tuesday, there is an activity meeting during lunchtime to review upcoming outings and free classes! Now is a good time to make sure you have taken the EC Online English Test  if you have not already. It is important to complete this test before Monday’s Welcome talk. Please also prepare your documents which are necessary for Monday’s Welcome Talk: Your passport, Covid Vaccination Certificate, I20 (if you are an F1 student), and proof of health insurance. Finally, take a moment to explore your local neighborhood and review the local bus timetable and bus pass - PRONTO Fare System | San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (sdmts.com)

Your First Day at School

How can I find my way to school?
You can find this information on your EC Accommodation Profile, or feel free to ask your host family or residence.

What if I haven’t booked EC accommodation? 
You can take a taxi or an Uber to school: 1225 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037.

What time should I arrive?
On first Monday in-person orientation starts at 9:00 am. On the same day classes start in-person at 11.00 am. Other days follow the time table schedule. 

What should I bring with me? 
It’s important to bring the following with you on your first day:

  • I-20 form(s) (F-1 students only)
  • Visa and passport
  • Proof of health insurance covering length of programme. This is required for you to start lessons
  • Face mask/face covering and hand sanitiser
  • Your own notebook, pens, and laptop/ mobile tablet

What can I expect on my first day?
While some changes have been made to the first day orientation to accommodate social distancing requirements, we can assure you that all students will still be met with a warm welcome from the school.

What will my timetable be? 
We will be providing the timetable during and after the Virtual Induction the Friday before the classes start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens on public holidays? 
Schools do not open on public holidays, so if Monday is a public holiday, your first day at the school will be on Tuesday. Public holidays are listed below:


2022 Public holidays on a weekday:
17 Jan, 21 Feb, 31 Mar, 30 May,20 Jun, 04 Jul, 05 Sep, 10 Oct,11 Nov, 24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Dec

 

 

What do I do if public transportation is temporarily unavailable?  
In case of bad weather, public transport strikes etc, please check the EC San Diego Facebook page for any important updates or call the emergency number.

While you are in California

  • Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water. We also advise you also carry hand sanitizer for personal use. 
  • You will be required to wear a face mask when you use all public transport and shops as well as communal areas in the school, please ensure you purchase a face mask prior to your arrival.
  • Please maintain at least a 2-metre distance between yourself and others. 
  • If you develop any of these symptoms; a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, or you suspect you have the virus, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days. Do not come to school if you are unwell. 
  • Please inform the school if you are unwell so we can support you and help you seek medical attention if necessary. 

San Diego has a regularly updated online resource for COVID-19 in the city, and the state of California. It details safe practices as well as useful phone numbers and contacts. Please find the information available here.  

If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to call our emergency phone number: +1 858-449-3758
Click the links below for more detailed travel and safety information for the US during COVID-19 

California: Guidance on reopening economy
EC San Diego - Before arriving in the US 
California - Covid 19
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/ coronavirus-global
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/ traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html

This is a sample timetable, times may change and are not guaranteed.
General English (20 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri)

Semi-Intensive English (24 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Tue & Thu)
Intensive English (30 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Mon-Fri)