PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Field Study is an immersive English and professional learning program where students develop practical communication skills while experiencing Portland as a living classroom. Through daily English Communication classes, experiential Tourism & Hospitality or Social Entrepreneurship content courses, and the exploration of the Pacific Northwest, students build confidence using English in academic, social, and everyday settings.
PARTICIPANT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the Field Study Program, students will be able to:
- Communicate more confidently in English in academic, professional, and cross-cultural settings through classroom learning and authentic interactions.
- Connect classroom concepts with real-world industry experiences through field studies, professional engagement, inquiry, and guided reflection.
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of Tourism & Hospitality or Social Entrepreneurship, including key concepts, sustainable practices, innovation, and emerging industry trends.
- Apply greater independence and intercultural adaptability by navigating university and city life, participating in campus experiences, and engaging with PSU students and the broader community.
- Reflect on and communicate their Field Study experience, connecting academic, professional, and intercultural learning to their studies, career interests, and future goals.
HOW PARTICIPANTS LEARN
Students combine English communication classes with content-focused classroom learning. Depending on their selected focus, students explore Tourism & Hospitality or Social Entrepreneurship through field studies, tours, conversations with professionals, research and inquiry activities, group discussions, and guided reflection. These experiences allow students to apply English in authentic professional settings while connecting classroom concepts with real-world practices. Living in PSU residence halls extends learning beyond the scheduled program. This combination of structured learning and independent exploration helps students build confidence, adaptability, and a stronger understanding of university and community life in the United States.
SAFETY
Recent program feedback from Winter 2026 participants highlighted the following stats:
- 100% of surveyed participants reported feeling safe or mostly safe on campus and in the city.
- Zero unsafe experiences on campus or in the city were reported during the program.
- 91% of surveyed participants said they would return to Portland if given the opportunity.
PARTICIPANT TAKE AWAY
Students leave the Field Study Program with greater confidence using English in academic and professional settings, practical knowledge of Social Entrepreneurship or Tourism & Hospitality, and firsthand experience connecting classroom concepts with real-world industry practices.
Through professional engagement, field-based learning, and independent university living, students also develop stronger intercultural communication, adaptability, and independence. They can draw on these experiences when they return to their home universities, prepare presentations and academic projects, build their résumés, participate in job interviews, pursue future study-abroad opportunities, or explore careers in an increasingly global workplace.