High School Summer Program: English Conversation & SDGs

Course Description

In this program, students will learn about different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while improving their English conversation skills. Students will be fully immersed in PSU taking classes on campus and exploring Portland neighborhoods with our program assistants who are PSU students themselves. As part of the program, students will visit sustainable businesses, will volunteer in the community and learn about Portland and American culture.

Class-Related Activities & Field Trips

Class-related activities and field trips give students the opportunity to use and practice their English in real-life situations. Students can visit and write about places in Portland, attend cultural events, talk with PSU students and discuss topics related to American culture and the culture of their home country.

Activities (Summer 2025 Tentative Calendar) and field trips may include:

• Touring the PSU Food Pantry & working with the PSU Sustainability Center
• Exploring Downtown Portland and famous locations
• Volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank
• Visiting a sustainable local business
• Learning about US college admissions practices and student life from International PSU students
• Visiting Multnomah Falls & the Columbia Gorge

Program Dates:

Summer 2025 Homestay Program: July 28 - August 7, 2025  (Program & class dates; students will stay in Homestays with ACES International Homestay and should arrive the weekend prior.)

Program Fees and Housing Information

Please contact us at isp.programs@pdx.edu for more information about program fees.

For the homestay portion of the program, students will stay with host families arranged by ACES International Homestays. For more information please contact Kellie Irish at kellie@exploretheworld.org or read their Homestays for PSU Open Enrollment Groups guide. 

Program Eligibility

• Participants must be at least 15 years of age and not older than 19 years old
• There is no required English test score

Deadlines and Notifications

• You must apply by April 26th, 2025 to secure homestay placement; space is limited. Homestays are filled on a "first come, first served" basis. 
• Homestay programs include all meals. 
• A 2.75% credit card processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments, except for the homestay fee.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• The program fee includes a $120 non-refundable application fee.
• If you cancel 30+ days prior to the program start date, you will receive a full refund of the program fee minus the $120 non-refundable application fee. 
• If you cancel between the 30 and 14 days prior to the start of the program, you will be refunded 50% of the program fee minus the $120 non-refundable application fee. 
• If you cancel within 14 days prior to the program, you will be refunded 33% of the program fee minus the $120 non-refundable application fee.
• Once the program has started there will be no refunds.
• If PSU has to cancel the program for any reason before the start date you will receive a full refund.
• For Homestays, please follow the ACES refund policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this open-enrollment program, please contact us at isp.programs@pdx.edu.