Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Orientation Week

Registration and attendance at Orientation Week is required to study at PCC

Students must be registered for orientation by the deadline (see boxes below for dates) and in Portland before the first day of Orientation Week. If they are not registered or cannot be in Portland before the first day of Orientation Week, they must defer (move) their acceptance to the following term.

Orientation Registration

Orientation Week Schedule

• Orientation Week will take place in person during the week of:
  • September 8-12, 2025 for Fall 2025 Term
  • December 8-12, 2025 for Winter 2026 Term
• To attend Orientation Week, you must be in Portland before:
  • September 8, 2025 for Fall 2025 Term
  • December 8, 2025 for Winter 2026 Term

Tentative Fall 2025 International Student Orientation Week Schedule

Group	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Students with an Associate I-20 (check your I-20 under ‘Program of Study’)	9am-4pm at PCC Sylvania, CC Building: Welcome, Check-In & Workshops Lunch Resource Fair	9:15am at PCC Sylvania, CC Building: Academic Placement Testing	10am-12pm Live via Zoom: Student Success Workshop *for students who have advising appts on Thursday	10am-12pm Live via Zoom: Student Success Workshop *for students who have advising appts on Wednesday	10am-12pm PST at PCC: Review of Week & Campus Tour
	Advising and class registration: Academic Advising and class registration appointments will be available Wednesday and Thursday (these will be scheduled during Orientation Week).
Students with a Language Learning I-20 (check your I-20 under ‘Program of Study’)	9am-4pm at PCC Sylvania, CC Building: Welcome, Check-In & Workshops Lunch Resource Fair	12:15pm at PCC Sylvania, CC Building: ESOL Placement Testing	1-3pm Live via Zoom: Student Success Workshop 1	1-3pm Live via Zoom: Student Success Workshop 2	10am-12pm PST at PCC: Review of Week & Campus Tour
	Advising and class registration: Academic Advising and class registration appointments for students with a Language Learning I-20 will be available Wednesday and Thursday mornings (and scheduled after Placement Testing on Tuesday).

*The schedule above is a general outline of the Orientation Week schedule that is subject to change. The final Orientation Week Schedule was emailed to registered students on Friday, September 5.

Orientation Week is a required week-long experience for all F-1 international students, including transfer and returning students. During Orientation Week, we will:

• Introduce you to PCC and current international students, faculty, and staff who will help you along your academic journey at PCC.
• Provide required testing (ESOL or academic).
• Help with academic advising and class registration for your first term.
• Review the requirements for maintaining your F-1 visa status.

All F-1 international students new to PCC are required to attend all parts of Orientation Week. You must attend all parts of Orientation Week on the schedule provided to you! If you do not, you may not be able to register for classes or attend PCC.

• Students who do not register for Orientation Week by the deadlines above cannot attend PCC for their admitted term.
• Students who do not attend all required parts of Orientation Week and complete all required tasks cannot register for classes.

• International students are given extra time to pay tuition in their first term. Tuition for new international students is due on the first day of their first term. All other PCC students have a different due date, but for their first term, new international students are given an extension.
• Students will have holds on their accounts, which prevent them from registering for classes – they must complete any required testing and attend Orientation Week sessions first, then holds will be removed before their advising and registration session during Orientation Week.
• Students must be admitted to PCC before participating in Orientation Week. Apply to become a student.
• Please contact international@pcc.edu with any questions.

Transfer Students

You must request your record be transferred from your current school to PCC before the first day of Orientation Week. Further instructions are on your acceptance letter. While your current school should not transfer your record while you are still mid-term, you can request your record transfer be scheduled for the end of term.

Preparing for Your Trip and Arriving in Portland

Travel Advice

• The U.S. has very strict rules about what you can bring into the country. Please review the information and pack appropriately.
• Print and carry on your person (not in luggage) all travel documents: signed I-20, passport/visa, acceptance letter.
• Carry on your person (not in luggage) necessary medications and valuable items; laptops, cash.
• Make a plan to get from the airport to where you are staying. PCC does not provide airport pickup. Find options here.
• Review government information about entry to the U.S.
• All F-1 students are required to begin a program of study in the U.S. within 30 days of entry, even if they transfer to a new school

Packing for the US

Check out our packing list to help you prepare for your time living in the United States.

Portland International Airport

• Passport Control and Customs – Virtual Tour

This page is maintained by the International Student Life Coordinator.