Home Country: Taiwan
Graduation Year: 2020, '23, '24
Major: BA in Child, Youth, and Family Studies
M.Ed in Elementary Education
Please briefly introduce yourself and where you are from.
My name is Sheng-Hsuan Tung, and I also go by Selina. I’m originally from Taoyuan, Taiwan. Before coming to the US, I also lived in Suzhou, China, for about three years while attending an international high school. Living in different places from a young age helped me become more comfortable adapting to new cultures and environments.
I came to Portland about ten years ago, and over time, Oregon has become another home to me. Taiwan will always be where my family and roots are, but Portland is where I have built my education, career, friendships, and adult life.
Why Portland and why PSU?
I first learned about Portland through my cousin, who lives here and used to own a hotel in Gresham. He often told me how beautiful Oregon was, especially the nature and scenery, which made me interested in coming here. I started my college journey at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), where I studied for my first two years. While I was there, I took several early childhood education classes and became more interested in working with children and families. MHCC also introduced us to different universities where we could continue our education after completing our studies there. Through that process, I learned more about Portland State University and its Child, Youth, and Family Studies program. The program matched my interests, so I decided to transfer to PSU and continue pursuing my education there.
What was your first impression of Portland? How did your impression change over time?
Before high school, I had already visited the US with my sister and traveled to a few cities, including New York and San Francisco. However, Portland was a very different experience for me. My sister also came with me when I first moved here to start school, which made the transition way easier.
I still remember arriving in Portland in September. The weather was cool, the sky was bright blue, and there were tall green trees everywhere. Compared with some of the larger cities I had visited before, Portland felt green and very close to nature. My sister and I immediately fell in love with the area.
Over time, my impression of Portland has changed as I’ve gotten to know the city beyond that first beautiful impression. I’ve experienced the rainy winters, explored different neighborhoods, met people from diverse backgrounds, and discovered many outdoor activities. After living here for about ten years, Portland no longer feels like just a place I came to for school—it truly feels like home to me.
Could you briefly describe your professional and/or educational journey after graduating from PSU?
What are you doing currently?
After earning my bachelor’s degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies from PSU, I completed my OPT at the International School of Portland (ISP), where I worked as a Chinese Teaching Assistant and Summer Camp Lead Teacher. After a year, I continued with my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at PSU while using CPT to work at ISP for a second year.
That experience confirmed my interest in becoming a Chinese teacher in the US, so I went on to pursue an M.Ed. in Elementary Education and earned my Oregon teaching license. I completed my student teaching at Rieke Elementary School and then worked as a Pre-K Chinese Lead Teacher at Lake Learning Center, a bilingual preschool in Tigard. Over the past six years, I have gained experience teaching in bilingual, Chinese immersion, private, and public-school settings.
Currently, I’m starting my role as a Dual Language Mandarin Kindergarten Teacher in the Beaverton School District. Over the next five years, I hope to continue growing as a dual language educator and building strong connections with my students, families, and school community.
How did your time at PSU prepare you for your career or further education after graduation?
I’m especially grateful for the capstone class I took during my senior year at PSU. Through that class, I connected with the International School of Portland and had the opportunity to work with many wonderful teachers there. That experience became the starting point of my career in education and helped me realize that I wanted to continue working in Chinese and bilingual education. It also encouraged me to pursue higher education and eventually become a licensed teacher.
I also want to give a special shout-out to the advisors in PSU’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS). They were very supportive throughout my time as an international student, especially when I had questions about OPT, CPT, and continuing my education. Their guidance made a big difference in helping me navigate both school and career planning.
What advice would you give a prospective international student who is thinking about studying in the United States?
My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an international student, many things may feel unfamiliar, including the application process, classroom expectations, visa requirements, and life in a new country. Asking questions helped me find resources, connect with people, and discover opportunities that made my journey smoother.
Another piece of advice is to have fun and enjoy the experience! One of the greatest benefits of studying abroad is that it broadens our horizons and helps us become more open-minded. Living in another country allows us to experience a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and understand different perspectives. Take time to explore, make friends, try new things, and create meaningful memories.
What is your favorite memory of your time at PSU?
My favorite memory from my time at PSU was participating in the International Cultural Service Program (ICSP), a scholarship program that gives international students opportunities to share their cultures both on and off campus. I was part of the program for two years, first as a member and later as the student coordinator. I had the opportunity to share Taiwanese culture while also learning about the cultures, traditions, and experiences of students from around the world. The program helped me become more culturally aware and taught me to approach people from different backgrounds with curiosity, understanding, and respect. Even after graduating from PSU, I still keep in touch with many of the friends I met through ICSP. I believe the friendships we built and the culture we learned will last a lifetime.