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As a newly admitted international student, you have lots of questions. Let us help you! These student transition, arrival, and registration tools will help you with a successful start at Portland State.

GETTING CONNECTED

FACEBOOK

Join Portland State's Facebook Community

TWITTER

Follow us on Twitter.

MENTORING PROGRAM

Although not mandatory, the International Student Mentoring Program (ISMP) may be of interest to you. Newly-arriving international students can request to be matched with an International Student Peer Mentor who can help you with your transition to studying at Portland State and living in the U.S. Please visit the ISMP website for more details and application instructions.

ORGANIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

With so many international students at PSU, there are many friends to make and places to explore. The Organization of International Students (OIS) at Portland State helps our more than 1,600 international students get involved and experience the beauty of Portland and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The OIS organizes ski and beach trips, hikes, cultural meetings, social & leadership programs and more. Read more about the many exciting activities available organized by the OIS in their blog, and be sure to check them out on Facebook.

SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

SCHOLARSHIPS

Apply for scholarships to help fund your education.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Academic departments award teaching/research assistantships to eligible graduate students. Because funding levels vary, the tuition waiver and monthly stipend (salary) associated with an assistantship may (or may not) be adequate to cover the full amount of Portland State University’s annual tuition and living expenses. Contact your prospective graduate academic department to ask about their assistantship availability and the application process.

VISA & IMMIGRATION ISSUES

YOUR STUDENT VISA

Before you can begin study at Portland State, you must have a F1 or a J1 student visa. Read about applying for your student visa and paying your SEVIS fee. As you prepare for your visa appointment, these 10 points to remember will help you prepare for a successful visa interview.

Do you already have a student visa and need to transfer your I-20 from your current school? Read about the I-20 transfer process. If you have questions about transferring your SEVIS record and I-20 to Portland State, contact our Office of International Student and Scholar Services by email at oia@pdx.edu or by telephone at (503) 725-4094.

HOUSING

HOUSING & HOMESTAYS

The best arrangements for living on-campus are made early. Don't delay. Remember to submit your housing application as soon as you have been admitted to secure your first choice of housing location. Some options are listed below.

University Housing

Portland State offers both traditional American residence halls and apartment-style living, complete with kitchens and private bathrooms. There are flexible, customized options for campus living and dining that appeal to everyone. Some of the best options fill quickly. Submit your University Housing Online Application to secure your place early.

Start making U.S. friends immediately upon arrival when you live with a U.S. roommate in our exciting Global Village. It is located on the top floor of Portland State's Stephen Epler Hall. Participate in events that promote diversity and intercultural learning throughout the year.

Live with a Host Family to Experience American Family Life

The Friends of Overseas Citizens and University Students (FOCUS), a local Christian volunteer organization, will help you arrange a short or long-term homestay with an American family in the Portland area.

Another option is ANDEO-International Homestays, a non-profit organization that specializes in providing host families for international students living in Portland.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

Newly admitted International students must attend mandatory New International Student Orientation. During the orientation, you will meet other students from Portland, around the United States, and the world. Together, you will learn more about the academic, cultural, social, and campus environments at Portland State University. You will also learn about employment opportunities for international students, both on and off campus. The International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSS) also will check your immigration documents to make sure everything is in order and copy them for their files, so be sure to bring your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, and your I-94 card to the Orientation. Register for Orientation about 2 months before the beginning of the term for which you have been admitted.

CLASS REGISTRATION

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Oregon law requires all international students must show proof that they have had a measles (Rubeola) vaccination before they may enroll in classes. Proof of vaccination is not required for admission; however, you cannot register for classes until you submitted the Measles and Mumps Requirement Form. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please visit your doctor before coming to Portland State, and submit your vaccination form as soon as possible.

CLASS REGISTRATION

Students without an ESL restriction may register for classes about 1-2 months before each term begins. Conditionally-admitted students register for their ESL classes after they arrive on campus. Read More...

DICTIONARY OF ACADEMIC TERMS

Get help defining the many academic terms you will encounter as you navigate class registration and your campus transition. Read More...

ODIN COMPUTER ACCOUNT

After you register for classes, set-up an ODIN computer account (PSU email and computer access account). Your ODIN accounts allows you to access PSU's computer labs and the wireless network, includes a 1000-page printing allowance per term, and includes a PSU e-mail account with electronic storage space on PSU servers.

Access to the PSU Information System, computer labs, email, and Wi-Fi requires an Odin account (username and password).  To create your Odin account you must go through the one-time Odin Account Management (OAM) set-up process outlined in your admission letter.  Once you set up your acount go to www.my.pdx.edu where you can access your courses, grades, email.calendar, and more.

TRAVELING TO PORTLAND & PSU

CHOOSING YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

Immigration regulations allow you to arrive no more than 30 days before the starting date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. It’s a good idea to plan to arrive in Portland with enough time to get used to the city and climate and to secure your housing before the university begins. If you will live in University housing, you cannot move into the residence halls until the move-in date indicated on your housing contract.

MONEY MATTERS

We advise you not to bring large amounts of cash with you to Portland. Please choose instead to use traveler’s checks (some in amounts under $50.00 so that you can cash them easily). Bank drafts will not provide immediate cash because Portland banks will hold them for at least two weeks to verify that funds are available. Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, stores, and most businesses in Portland and the US.

If you are a new graduate student who has been offered employment in your academic department, you will not receive your first paycheck until about five weeks after beginning work. Please note that all paychecks are subject to applicable tax deductions.

Portland State offers several payment options for tuition, University housing, and other charges added to your student bill.

TRANSPORTATION TO PORTLAND STATE

Free airport pickup
Newly arriving international students may request airport pickup by FOCUS, a volunteer Christian organization committed to helping international students make a smooth transition to college life at Portland State. FOCUS (Friends of Overseas Citizens and University Students) is a volunteer Christian organization committed to helping international students make a smooth transition to college life at Portland State. Please visit their website for details about requesting airport pickup as well as the other services and programs they offer to international students. If you would like to take advantage of FOCUS's wonderful airport pickup service, please submit your “Airport Pickup Request Form” on their website.

Public transportation
Many arriving international students take public transportation from the airport to downtown Portland. The MAX Red Line light rail service runs from the airport through downtown Portland every 15 minutes. A one-way trip from the airport to downtown Portland takes about 40 minutes. The MAX Red Line makes 10 stops downtown and provides convenient access to area hotels. You can purchase tickets from automated ticket machines located in the airport lobby near the baggage claim area as well as on the MAX station platform. To get to the PSU campus, take the MAX Red Line to the Pioneer Place/SW 5th Avenue Station.  Exit the MAX Red Line and walk to the MAX/Green & Yellow Line stop across the street on 5th Avenue between Morrison and Yamhill Streets.  Both the Green and Yellow MAX Lines stop on the PSU campus.  Visit the TriMet website for more information.

Taxi cabs and shuttle vans
Although taking a taxi or shuttle is the fastest option, it also is the most expensive. Taxis and shuttles are available outside the airport baggage claim area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A one-way trip to Portland State will cost $25 - $40 and will last approximately 20 – 30 minutes.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Official Documents: While you are still in your home country now is the time to make arrangements to obtain any official transcripts, degree certificates or test scores that you have not yet submitted to PSU. Please refer to our website http://www.pdx.edu/admissions/policy-official-documents for specific details regarding this requirement. If your admission letter does not note that you need to submit additional official documents, you may omit this step.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi: If you are an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student, have completed college or university courses outside the U.S., and hope to use these credits in your Portland State degree program, please bring the following: course/subject descriptions, syllabi, and any other information that will help us determine the specific content of your previous academic study. Without this information, you may not be able to use these credits towards your Portland State degree.

Official Test Score Reports: Contact TOEFL, IELTS or PTE to order your official score reports.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Oregon State law requires all international students to have health insurance. Portland State automatically enrolls all international students in the University’s extended coverage health insurance. If you choose to bring coverage from your home country, the PSU insurance cannot be waived. The PSU insurance policy is an excellent plan designed with the needs of international students in mind. Read more...

IMPORTANT PSU RESOURCES

PSU Bookstore

Campus Recreation

Dining Services

Center for Student Health and Counseling

Employment Options

Student Groups/Organizations

Transportation in and around Portland

Public Transportation
TriMet streetcar, bus, and light rail train system is the least expensive way to travel around the city. Portland State is located in Fareless Square, so you can travel throughout the downtown area for free. Students can buy a quarterly bus pass at the discounted student rate. Visit the Transportation and Parking Services website the Transportation and Parking Services website for details.

Bicycles
Portland is a very bicycle-friendly city and bikes are another inexpensive way to travel around Portland. Bike lanes and bike paths are marked throughout the city, and motorists are accustomed to sharing the roads with cyclists. Bike theft can be problematic, so it is important to keep your bike well-secured. We also recommend that you pay a visit to the Campus Public Safety office where you can use an engraver to engrave an identification number on your bicycle. This helps identify it if it is stolen.
Check this website for information about using your bicycle to get around Portland.

Cars
Buying a car is an expensive transportation option. To own a car, you must an Oregon driver’s license, liability insurance, and a parking permit to park your car on campus. We advise you to reserve your parking permit on-line prior to the start of the term as certain permit types sell-out. Visit the Transportation and Parking Services website for details.