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F.A.Q.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1. Flight Arrangements
Try to schedule your flight to arrive before 3 p.m. so that you will arrive at I-House in time for dinner and introductions. Most guests fly to San Francisco because there are more flight times although Oakland is somewhat closer and less confusing. San Francisco Airport is a 60-90 minute drive and Oakland is 30 minutes away. I-House can be reached easily by shuttle service from either airport (see Directions, below). The driver will bring you from the airport to the front door of I-House.

2. Check-in and Check-out
Check-in is from 3 to 5 p.m. on the first day of the program. During this time, a student will be available to help you with your bag (please, no tipping). Rooms will be available at noon.

3. Extended Stays
After you sign up for the program, you will receive a packet of information including a reservation form for extending your stay. The cost is $65 per person per night and includes meals.

4. Early and Late Arrivals
Go to the front desk. There is someone on duty at all times. There will not be anyone available to help with your bag except during check-in time, 3-5pm.

5. Single Rooms
There is no additional charge for single rooms!

6. International House address
International House
2299 Piedmont Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94720-2320

You may receive mail at that address with your name c/o Elderhostel Program.

7. Telephones
The I-House Front Desk: (510) 642-9490. You will have a telephone in your room from which you can charge calls to a calling card or credit card. Local calls are free. Please give family and friends the front desk number to reach you. The staff will take messages which will be delivered in class or at meals.

8. Your Room
Each room is furnished with one or two single beds, desk, desk lamp, dresser, mirror, and telephone. Beds will be made up with two blankets and two pillows. You will also receive a towel, wash cloth, soap and drinking glass. There is no maid service. However, you can exchange you towels and sheets during the week at no additional cost.

9. Rest Rooms
Rest rooms are “down the hall.” There are no rooms with rest rooms. If you note on the Questionnaire that you will receive soon after you register that it is important to be near a rest room, then we will assign you to a room that is adjacent to or within a few rooms of the rest room. For couples, it is not possible to be close to both the men’s and women’s rest rooms. Floors are co-ed, restrooms are not.

10. Smoking
No smoking is allowed inside the building.

11. Directions to I-House
From Oakland or San Francisco Airports: Airport Shuttle Services
•    Bayporter Express (415) 467-1800
Approximately $30 from San Francisco Airport or from Oakland Airport to International House. Reserve at least 48 hours in advance. Call them for current price.

•    Airport Commuter (510) 841-0150
Limo service for up to 3 people: Approximately $80. Reserve in at least 48 hours in advance. Call them for current price.

•    Cabs
$40 to $60 from Oakland Airport, even more from San Francisco depending on traffic.

By Car
Exit Interstate 80 on University Ave. in Berkeley.
East (to the hills) on University until it ends in Oxford Street. Right on Oxford.
Soon you will turn left on Durant, follow until it ends in Piedmont Avenue.
Left on Piedmont Ave. International House is just ahead on the right. It is the large tan building with a dome (at the intersection of Bancroft and Piedmont).
Pass I-House and a narrow service driveway.
Enter the next driveway into the parking lot, adjacent to International House, on the north side of the building.

By Public Transportation
Come by BART (rapid transit) to the downtown Berkeley station. Outside the station, on Shattuck Ave., there are taxis that will take you to International House for about $6. Or go to the SF or Oakland airport and take the Bayporter shuttle. If you travel by train, go to the Emeryville station and take a taxi ($10-$15). For Bus schedules, call AC transit at (510) 839-2882 although Sunday schedules are very limited.

12. What is the schedule for a typical day?
We plan a full schedule but don’t feel like you have to do everything! This schedule is subject to change.

7:15-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:00-10:15 a.m. Class
10:15-10:45 a.m. Coffee Break and announcements
10:45 a.m.-12:00 noon Class
12:00-1:30 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. Field Trip
5:00 p.m. Optional “happy hour” on the café patio
5:30-7:30 p.m. Dinner
Evenings: Activities may include a special program, video, dance class, bridge, cards, a dinner out together (extra charge), or movie.

13. Meals
All meals will be served cafeteria style with choices to please any palate. There are vegetarian entrees at all meals and an excellent salad bar. Soups are available for lunch and dinner. Dishes with pork are labeled. There are many choices but the kitchen is not prepared to handle special dietary needs. You may invite guests to join you at a per meal cost ranging from $5-$7 per meal.

Weekdays
Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday
Brunch: 8:30 to noon
Dinner: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

14. Terrain and Stairs
The campus is beautiful but hilly. For those who have difficulty walking, this program will be a challenge as the building is large and distances inside it are rather substantial. In International House, there are 26 stairs from the main floor to the Dining Hall. The stairs are not steep and there is a railing. An elevator will help you avoid all except five of those stairs.

15. Weather
Dress for all activities, including the final dinner, is casual and comfortable. The weather is generally pleasant with temperatures in the 70’s, although it can go (rarely) to the 90’s. The fog, our natural air conditioner often arrives in the evening and burns off the next morning. Rain in June would be very unusual.

16. What to Bring
Although it may be difficult to imagine if you are accustomed to hot summers, you will want a light jacket or warm sweater for our cool evenings and mornings.

•    Sweater or light jacket
•    Night wear and slippers— (bathrooms are “down the hall”)
•    A water bottle if you like to have water in your room
•    Personal toilet articles (soap is provided, shampoo is not)
•    Casual, comfortable clothing and walking shoes
•    Checkbook or travelers checks to cover parking fees or charges for extra nights— please, no credit cards!
•    Anything you might like to share some evening: piano music, cards, slides or video from your travels, poetry, etc.

17. Scholarships
Scholarship assistance is available to cover program fees. To receive a scholarship application, call Elderhostel toll free at 1-877-426-8056.

18. Parking
There is an additional charge for a week-long parking permit. You will find more information in the packet you receive after you register. The fee is $90 for a week-long permit, which must be reserved in advance.

19. Questions?
Please contact:

Bethann Johnson
International House Elderhostel Program
2299 Piedmont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720-2320

PHONE: 510-642-2664
FAX: 510-643-8968
E-MAIL: johnsonb@uclink.berkeley.edu