A Portland Reunion in Tokyo: Bringing the PSU Spirit to Japan

A Portland Reunion in Tokyo: Bringing the PSU Spirit to Japan

Last June, a remarkable celebration of Portland State University’s global community took place in Shibuya, a vibrant district of Tokyo. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the PSU Office of Global Engagement and Innovation (OGEI) hosted a highly successful, cross-generational gathering that brought together more than 80 participants.

The event marked a significant milestone in OGEI’s international outreach, initiated with a clear and vital goal: to cultivate and strengthen our international student networks, while raising positive awareness of both PSU and the city of Portland.

From a Grassroots Initiative to a Global Bridge

The gathering began as a grassroots initiative by Portland Center faculty member Monika Mulder and Portland Center manager Anri Zama. Initially, Mulder and Zama envisioned an event dedicated solely to reconnecting with Portland Center alumni and former study abroad students from Japan.

Shortly after planning began, they were joined by Naoko Horikawa, International Cultural Service Program Advisor. Horikawa's dedicated expertise in international alumni relations helped expand the scope of the event, evolving it from a simple reunion into a strategic, multi-tiered networking event aimed at "cross-pollination."

The unique design of the gathering intentionally united three distinct pillars of the PSU community:

• The Past: PSU alumni living in Japan, including both international graduates and expatriates.
• The Present: Active PSU study abroad students currently navigating their academic programs in Japan.
• The Future: Incoming students from Japan who are preparing to embark on their journeys to Portland this fall.

Bringing the Portland Spirit to Tokyo

The energy at the event was palpable as generations of Vikings mingled, shared fond memories of their time at PSU, and passed down invaluable advice to incoming students.

To make the event possible, the organizing team secured crucial co-sponsorship and support from the Travel Portland Japan Representative Office located in Tokyo, highlighting a shared commitment to fostering a strong partnership between Portland and the Japanese community.

Adding a touch of home to the gathering, a nostalgic slideshow of favorite campus moments and videos invited attendees to collectively travel back in time to their days in Portland. Thanks to the generosity of several PSU offices, including the Office of Admissions and University Communications, many guests walked away with a piece of the Rose City. A variety of PSU-branded stickers, T-shirts, tote bags, and socks were raffled off to excited winners. Additionally, several lucky attendees took home premium Portland Gear accessories, which the Travel Portland office generously donated to the raffle prize pool.

A Strong and Enduring Bond

The Tokyo gathering proved that the powerful bond between Portland State University, the city of Portland, and Japan is vibrant, resilient, and continues to grow.

Thank you to everyone, from our dedicated organizers to our wonderful partners and attendees, who helped make this international pilot event an unforgettable success!