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About ISS

A vibrant group of over 140 international students—including a large community of “Third Culture Kids”—comprises 8 percent of ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s overall student body.

International students come to ¹û½´ÊÓƵ from more than 30 countries and territories around the world.

Immigration Advising and Support

ISS helps F-1 and J-1 visa students with immigration regulations and related procedures, provides guidance on maintaining visa status, and helps students navigate work authorization post-graduation. ISS is the primary liaison between international students and the federal government and local agencies for immigration-related matters.

International Student Orientation

ISS organizes an International Student Orientation to welcome new international students to campus and help them transition to life at ¹û½´ÊÓƵ and in the U.S. International Student Orientation is open to any incoming student that identifies as international, regardless of visa status, and participation is free. Sessions include introductions to important campus staff and resources; important information about working on campus and maintaining visa status; abundant opportunities to connect with peers and mentors; and activities like dessert socials, a city tour of Portland, a shopping trip, and a Host Family Program orientation event.

InterConnect Peer Mentor Program

The InterConnect program matches new international students with a current ¹û½´ÊÓƵie and a cohort of their peers. The goals are to develop community, ease the transition to ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, and provide leadership opportunities. Participants engage in frequent individual meetings with their mentor as well as monthly events with their peer mentor groups.

Discover PDX

Once a month, ISS provides international students an opportunity to get off campus and see a new part of Portland or experience a unique side of U.S. culture through the Discover PDX series. Past trips have included Broadway musicals, hiking trips, stand-up paddle boarding, and professional basketball and soccer games.

Summer Experience Award

The Summer Experience Award offers students on F-1 visas the opportunity to pursue an unpaid summer internship. The award grants students funding to cover their expenses because they are often not able to take paid summer internships due to work restrictions related to their visas.

International Student Club (ISC)

The International Student Club is a group of international student volunteers who create opportunities for international students to interact outside the classroom, share perspectives, engage in conversations about culture, and celebrate international diversity at ¹û½´ÊÓƵ. The ISC organizes events throughout the year, including the International Festival each spring.

Host Family Program

¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s Host Family Program is a nonresidential program designed to introduce international students to a local family who will welcome them to the Portland community, support their experience at ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, and enjoy the opportunity for cultural exchange. Many say that having a local host family is a highlight of their time in the U.S.