WELCOME! Information for new UCSD International Arrivals CONTENTS • UCSD Friends of the International Center ......................... 2 • Friends Activities .............................................................. 2 - 3 • Places to Buy Household Items and Clothing ................... 4 • Grocery Shopping ............................................................ 5 - 7 • Places to Eat .................................................................... 8 - 10 • Places to Go ................................................................... 11 - 13 • Recreation ........................................................................ 14 • Cultural Events ................................................................. 15 • Street Fairs & Special Events ............................................ 16 • Things to Do with Kids ..................................................... 17 • Improving your English .....................................................18 - 19 • Out of Town Cultural Favorites .......................................... 20 • Getting around UCSD and Area without a Car .................. 21 - 22 • Campus Parking Information ............................................ 23 • Where to Find More Information ........................................ 24 • Invitation to Join the Friends ............................................. 24 • Contact Information .......................................................... 24 1 UCSD Friends of the International Center http://global.ucsd.edu/friends/ Who are the Friends of the International Center? We are a group of community and international volunteers who work in support of the international programs at UC San Diego. We provide activi- ties to welcome international visitors and their families to the university. We raise money to award scholarships for students going abroad to study and for international students at our university. In addition, we sponsor events to increase international awareness and cooperation on our campus. The following activities are aimed at easing your transition into life in the United States and making your time here a rewarding experience. They provide lots of opportunities to meet people and make new friends. The activities are held regularly as listed below. You can indicate the ones that interest you on the registration form at Family Orientation. Family Orientation Wednesday Coffee When? 1st and 3rd Wednesday When? Every Wednesday, of each month, from 9:15 to about 11:30 am. from 10 am to 12 noon. Where? McGill Hall, Muir Campus, Where? UC Building 409, the Dance Hall. 2nd floor, Suite 2126. Make friends, practice English, learn The session is led by local and about life in America, celebrate international volunteers and a staff holidays, learn crafts, play games, person. It includes a PowerPoint and share in potluck lunches. presentation and a Welcome! booklet These are only some of the many to take home. Together, they include a activities at Wednesdat Coffee. wealth of practical information about living in the U.S. You will have the opportunity to ask questions. Mommy, Daddy and Me English Conversation Groups When? Every Wednesday, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. When? Tuesdays and Fridays, Where? McGill Hall, Muir Campus, from 10 am to 12 noon. 2nd floor, Room 2148 Where? UC Building 409, the Dance Hall A playgroup for children up to age 6. A wonderful way to practice English Children must be accompanied by a and make friends. You share con- parent. Activities include sing-alongs, versations with people from all over nursery rhymes, stories and crafts in a the world. Groups are informal and safe and nurturing environment. conversation topics are varied. Group leaders are local English speakers. 2 Everyday English Class Craft Circle When? Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:30 am. When? Every Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Where? UC Building 409, the Dance Hall Where? UC Building 409, the Dance Hall Everyday English is structured more like You can make friends and practice a class than the Conversation Groups English while learning or practicing skills but has the same informal such as sewing, knitting, crocheting. and friendly atmosphere. Initial supplies are provided. Cooking classes Friends Resale Shop When? Second Thursday of each month during When? Tuesdays through Fridays during the the academic year from 9:00 to noon. academic year, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Where? Professional demonstration kitchen Where? UC Building 214 on Library Walk. at 64 Degrees, Revelle Campus. The shop sells gently used clothes You join in preparing a meal as the chef and household items for low prices. gives instructions and advice. Then An excellent place for internationals you and the group get to eat the meal. to volunteer as well as shop. Registration in advance of each class The Resale Shop is popular and a $10 payment for the food on campus. are required. Visit an American Home International Friday Café An opportunity for international When? Most Fridays during the academic year newcomers to sign up to be matched 12:00 to 1:15 pm. with a local host for a home visit at Where? The Great Hall a date and time convenient for all. on Eleanor Roosevelt Campus. [email protected] Low cost, international meals are Yoga Class Tai Chi Class served in an informal atmosphere. International and American students When? Saturdays from When? Mondays from and faculty attend as well as locals. 9:00 to 10:00 am. 2:00 to 3:00 pm. http://icafe.ucsd.edu Where? UC Building 409, the Dance Hall. The following activities occur several times in the course of the academic year. Look for flyers. * Ethnic Dinners Friends Dinner Social Take place two times a year on These parties take place on campus campus. The dinners raise funds several times in the academic year. for Friends scholarships. They are affordable and informal. They allow locals and internationals Delicious Ethnic Dinners are followed to get together over a meal. by an interesting presentation. Children are welcome. 3 PLACES FOR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND CLOTHING Located on UCSD campus. Kitchen and Baby Equipment Exchange: RENT equipment at low cost for 1 year or less. Every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm, located off of Library Walk and the Career Services Center. https://ifso.ucsd.edu/living-in-sd/kitchen-exchange.html Resale Shop: Our Friends Resale Shop sells gently used clothing and small household items at very low prices, and proceeds go for international scholarships. Open on Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 1:30pm, located at UC Building 214 on Library Walk. Facebook: FriendsResaleShopUCSD Instagram: @friends_resale_shop IN SAN DIEGO Burlington Coat Factory: Discount clothing. 3962 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 858-272-1893 burlingtoncoatfactory.com Costco: (Good prices/large quantity), *membership required* www.costco.com IKEA: Ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories 2149 Fenton Pkwy. (Mission Valley) 619-563-4532 https://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/san_diego Marshalls: Brand name items at low prices. Multiple stores. Nearest UCSD: 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. # 111 858-587-3984 www.marshallsonline.com My Sister’s Closet: Consignment store for the resale of brand name and designer clothes and accessories at heavily discounted prices. Costa Verde Center, 8610 Genesee Ave. 858-455-0045 mysisterscloset.com Ross Dress for Less: Multiple locations. Nearest UCSD: 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. # 14A 858-450-1233 https://www.rossstores.com/ Target: Multiple locations. Nearest UCSD: 5680 Balboa Ave. 858-309-6564 www.target.com Walmart: Nearest UCSD: 4840 Shawline Street, San Diego 858-268-2885 www.walmart.com Department Stores: Macy’s, Nordstrom, J.C. Penney, Sears. Look for their sales ads. 4 GROCERY SHOPPING Supermarkets: The two largest supermarket chains, found all over San Diego: Ralphs: Multiple locations, closest to UCSD: 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr, open 24 hours. https://www.ralphs.com/ Vons: Multiple locations, closest to UCSD: 7788 Regents Rd., open until 12am, https://local.vons.com/ca/san-diego.html Speciality and Health Food Markets: Bristol Farms: Many gourmet items. 10% discount to UCSD students & staff. 8510 Genesee Ave.,Costa Verde Center 858-558-4180 http://www.bristolfarms.com/ Sprouts. Good fresh produce at lower cost than supermarkets. https://sprouts.com Multiple locations. Closest to UCSD: University City Store 3358 Governor Dr. 858-457-5006 Trader Joe’s: Many international and local items at reasonable prices. https://traderjoes.com Different locations. Nearest UCSD: 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. 858-546-8629 Whole Foods Market. Largest retailer of natural and organic foods. https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ 8825 Villa La Jolla Dr. 858-642-6700 Stores with Larger Quantities/Packages at Lower Prices: Costco. A membership warehouse with bulk food and household goods (electronics, appliances, furnishings, clothing, garden supplies, etc.) at high quality and good prices. Multiple locations. https://www.costco.com/ Nearest UCSD: 4605 Morena Blvd. 858-270-6920. Food 4 Less. Multiple locations. https://www.food4less.com/ 858-278-0681 Closest to UCSD:4995 Shawline (off Clairemont Mesa Blvd. near I-805). Smart & Final. Food in bulk, good prices. Closest to UCSD: 5195 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 858-541-2090 https://smartandfinal.com 5 Ethnic Grocers (in alphabetical order by cuisine): African Caribbean Food: Food/Products from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Caribbean, East Africa. 4811 El Cajon Blvd, b/t 48th St. and Estrella Ave. Chinese: 99 Ranch Market. Large, reliable grocer that we all frequent. Wide variety of Asian groceries,