PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This comprehensive program provides international students an opportunity to improve their English conversation skills through content-focused classes, small group conversation partner sessions and volunteer activities at PSU and in the Portland community. Excursions around town and to iconic places in Oregon are facilitated by program assistants who are current PSU students.
Participants are fully immersed in PSU campus and student life during the day, while spending their evenings and weekends with their host families. Our homestay partner ACES (American Cultural Exchange Services) provides adequate placement opportunities.PPPr
The program consists of three classes, each meeting for ~4 hours per week, totalling ~12 hours per week:
TRENDING TOPICS CLASS (both terms):
This class focuses on current topics, such as sustainability at PSU and in Portland, community engagement, poverty & homelessness in the U.S., social justice and gender identity issues, the Black Lives Matter movement. Class activities may include experiential learning activities on campus and in the community, such as volunteering at a food bank, preparing meals for the houseless, visiting cohousing units, exploring murals, etc.
TOURISM & HOSPITALITY CLASS (1st term):
Participants explore topics relevant to the tourism and hospitality industry in Portland and around the world. A big component of this class is to engage in authentic, hands-on learning opportunities with local coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, event venues, etc. Portland prides itself in preserving historic buildings and turning them into attractive communal places. In addition, participants will explore entrepreneurship in relation to the hospitality industry, the importance of customer service and professional communication skills.
CROSS-CULTURAL LEADERSHIP CLASS (1st term):
In this class, participants will learn about the skills needed to communicate effectively in a global marketplace, lead and manage teams that are composed of individuals from different cultural backgrounds. These skills include cultural sensitivity, team building strategies, cross-cultural communication, emotional intelligence and global perspective.
In addition, participants can practice their conversational skills in weekly conversation practice sessions.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLASS (2nd term):
In this class, participants will learn about the concepts of entrepreneurship tied to social, environmental and economic areas. Visits to local non-profit and start-up companies will give participants an opportunity to explore different business types. Discussions with local entrepreneurs will further provide insight into how businesses are structured. Participants will learn how to identify a need, develop a product or service proposal and make a pitch.
SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE-LEARNING CLASS (2nd term):
Participants explore topics that focus on sustainable cities and communities, learning about PSU’s and Portland’s achievements. Visiting co-housing units, city parks and other green spaces, allows students to see examples of initiatives, some stemming from grass roots movements toward cleaner and more affordable living. Through volunteer activities at local NGOs, participants will engage with community members. The goal is to empower participants to see themselves as change agents. They will identify a problem in their community at home and identify a solution.
CONVERSATION PRACTICE SESSIONS (both terms):
The small group conversation practice sessions are facilitated by PSU students who are interested in connecting with international students. Groups are composed of 3-5 students and meet twice a week in 1-hour sessions. A casual setting and topics of their choosing allow for a less structured environment.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS (both terms):
Participants will visit the PSU Farmers Market (one of the largest farmers markets in the Nation), Portland neighborhoods with thrift stores, coffee shops and art galleries, Powell’s Bookstore (the largest independent bookstore in the Nation), Made in Portland stores, etc. Other activities include, tax-free shopping at a local shopping mall, a trip to the famous Columbia Gorge with the iconic Multnomah Falls and the Oregon Coast, sledding at Mt. Hood. In addition, participants can join PSU activities for international students.