Sustainability in Portland

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This program will introduce students to the concept of sustainability and some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Daily workshops will focus on developing students’ listening, speaking, reading, writing and vocabulary skills while learning about PSU’s and Portland’s sustainability efforts. The workshops are communicative in approach and student-centered in their delivery. Students will expand their English Language skills through small group activities, projects and interactions outside of the workshops in the Portland State and Portland communities.

The daily workshops, 3 hours in length from Monday through Friday, will be complemented with volunteer activities, visits to sustainable small businesses, PSU resource centers and excursions around town.
 

WORKSHOP TOPICS MAY INCLUDE

• Sustainability at PSU
• Sustainability in Portland (support services for those in need)
• Sustainable Consumption
• Recycle and Reuse
• Food & Sustainable Farming
• Water and Natural Environments
• Power Usage, City Design, Public Transit Systems
• Social Sustainability & other themes
• Sustainability in your community & life

ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS

Activities outside the workshops provide and opportunity for students to learn through hands-on experiences, interaction with the local community and discussions of topics related to Sustainability and American culture.

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

• Volunteer at Non-Profit Organizations
• Participate in the PSU Sustainability Tour
• Visit small Sustainable Businesses
• Go to outlet mall for tax-free shopping
• Participate in a downtown Portland walking tour
• Experience Portland Food Culture (Blue Star and Voodoo Donuts, Salt & Straw ice-cream, Stumptown Coffee, and food carts from around the world)
• Visit other popular Portland places like Saturday Market, the Farmer’s Market, Powell's Bookstore, coffee shops, etc.
  
   

PROGRAM FEES AND ON-CAMPUS HOUSING INFORMATION

Please contact us at isp.programs@pdx.edu for more information.
All students will stay in campus dormitories during this program.
No meals are included in the dormitory stay.  

Program Eligibility 

• Participants must be 18 years of age or older 
• Most participants are students at a university or college, but it is not a requirement
• There is no required English test score

DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATIONS

• You must apply by November 22nd, 2024 to secure on-campus housing; space is limited.
• A 2.75% credit card processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments.

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. You will not be refunded the housing fee.
• If you cancel between the 30 and 15 days prior to the start of the program, you will be refunded 50% of the program fee minus the $120 non-refundable application fee. You will not be refunded the housing 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. You will not be refunded the housing 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.

Contact Us

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