Sunrise Homes International

The San Rafael Student Home

click photos for large view

The San Rafael student home is furnished like a real home with beautiful wooden furniture, sofas and pictures. Bedrooms and suites are very comfortable. Living here with your big "student family" is like living in a home – not like an ordinary student dormitory! You will feel safe, comfortable and relaxed.

The San Rafael student home is designed for international students at ELS Language Centers and the College of Marin. Students can study together with their new friends in the common areas (for example, the living room or one of the patios), or they can study alone in their own rooms.

Facilities at the Student Home

click photos for large view

The San Rafael student home has lots of rooms where students can mingle, study and relax. There is Wi-Fi internet throughout the entire house; there are lots of outdoor patios; and there is a modern, fully equipped kitchen where you can cook whatever you want with your new friends.

Living room: there is a comfortable living room for all students to sit together, watch TV or a movie, play a game, or simply chat and practice their English. The living room is equipped with two TV/DVD/Video entertainment centers, many DVD movies (in English so that you can practice listening), sofas and coffee tables.

Girls' living room: there is a second living room only for the girls in the girls' section of the house. The girls' living room is equipped with a TV/DVD/Video entertainment center, many DVD movies (in English so that you can practice listening), a comfortable sofa and coffee tables.

Dining room: our large dining room is next to the kitchen. This is a popular room for the students to enjoy their meals or do their homework together. The dining room is equipped with large dining tables and a long counter table.

Kitchen: enjoy cooking together with your new friends, or watch them cook their favorite food from a distant country. Our kitchen is complete with all equipment, utensils and dishes so that you don't need to bring anything – you only need to buy your own groceries and you can start cooking!

The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need, including large refrigerators, freezers, stoves, oven, microwave ovens, toasters, rice cookers, coffee makers, pots, pans, knives, cutting boards and utensils. There are also two sinks with garbage disposal, exhaust fans over the cooking areas, and many shelves to store your groceries. And when you arrive, you will receive your personal set of dishes. In short, the kitchen has everything you need.

Recreation room: the recreation room is an excellent place for the students to have fun together. The recreation room is equipped with a ping-pong table, a foosball table, a TV/DVD/Video entertainment center, karaoke, as well as a lounge area with sofas.

Laundry room: we have our own laundry room so that students can wash their laundry conveniently at the student home. The laundry room is equipped with four coin-operated washers and dryers.

Storage room: there is a locked storage room for students to store their belongings (for example, empty suitcases).

Patios: there are many patios for the students to enjoy the warm California sun. The large patio outside the dining room is very popular for eating, doing homework or having a BBQ. You can use the high-speed Wi-Fi Internet on the patios as well.

Yard: there is a very large yard and our own private hill to enjoy beautiful views.

Parking lot: our student housing has a large packing lot for students who rent a car or buy their own car.

Services at the Student Home

The San Rafael student home is fully managed and we provide many services for free:

House Manager: our friendly house manager is always available to assist you and help you feel comfortable. Please ask the house manager for help if you need anything or if you have any questions.

24-Hour toll-free helpline: you can reach us anytime by calling our toll-free helpline at 1-888-807-3460.

On-Site assistants: there are always one or two on-site assistants to help all students.

Internet: there is free, high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access in the entire house, the bedrooms and on the patios.

Phone: the student home provides phones with free local calls (a phone card is required for calls outside the San Rafael area).

Cable TV: the TVs have digital cable with about 90 channels.

Utilities: utilities (electricity, gas, water) are free. If you bring your laptop, hairdryer or other electronic equipment, please remember that electricity in the USA is 110 Volts and that you may need an adaptor.

Blankets, sheets and towels: you will receive fresh blankets, sheets and towels when you arrive. Please note that students are responsible for washing their sheets and towels during their stay as needed.

Cleaning service: our cleaning service comes daily to clean the student house including the bathrooms, living rooms and the kitchen. However, you are responsible for keeping your own bedrooms clean as our cleaning service will clean your bedroom only upon request once a month. Please note that all students must keep the student house clean, and clean their own dishes and kitchen utensils after use.

Shuttle service: we have a free shuttle service to school every morning, and many trips back to the student home after school. You can also take our free shuttle service anywhere in San Rafael in the afternoon – just tell the driver where you want to go!

Repairs and maintenance: our repairs and maintenance team checks the student home almost every day to ensure that everything is in good condition. If anything breaks, it gets fixed quickly.

No meals: please note that we don't provide meals. However, the student home has complete kitchen and dining facilities, and most students enjoy cooking and eating together at the student home. If you don't want to cook, you can eatt at the cafeteria at Dominican University (you can buy discounted coupons for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the ELS office) or at one of the many cheap restaurants near the student home.