International Student Orientation
Each term, the Office International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) provides an in-depth orientation to international students who are beginning their studies at Portland State University.
At orientation, new students can expect to:
- Meet their International Student Mentor
- Build community with other International Students
- Meet advisors at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services
- Review F-1 and J-1 visa immigration regulations and requirements
- Learn about U.S. academic culture and the quarter system
- Understand cultural adjustment
- How to pay tuition and fees
- How to use the PSU Health Insurance and SHAC (Student Health and Counseling Center)
- What life in Portland will be like (weather, culture, safety, U.S. laws etc.)
- Gain knowledge on resources both on and off campus
International Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming new students on an F-1 or J-1 visa. If you are not coming on a student visa but interested in attending our orientation, email intl-newstudents@pdx.edu.
As an international student with an F-1 or J-1 visa, immigration regulations allow you to arrive no more than 30 days before the start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Starting Fall 2024, all new international students are charged a New Student Engagement Fee ($150). This fee pays for programming and support services for new students including but not limited to events, mentoring, orientation, webinars, and other services related to new students. This one-time fee is billed at the beginning of a student's first term at Portland State University.