Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

International Students

Orientation Week

Students must be registered for Orientation by Friday, December 1 and in Portland by Sunday, December 10 to attend PCC for winter term. If they are not registered or cannot be in Portland by these dates, they will need to defer (move) their acceptance to the following term.

Orientation Week is a required week-long experience for all new F-1 international students:

  • to get acquainted with PCC and meet current international students, faculty, and staff who will help them along their academic journey at PCC,
  • to provide the required testing (ESOL or academic),
  • to conduct 1-on-1 advising and registration for 1st term classes,
  • to learn all the “rules” for maintaining their F-1 visa status.

Register for Orientation Week

Orientation Week Schedule – Winter 2024

  • Orientation Week will take place partially in person and partially online during the week of December 11-15, 2023.
  • You must be in Portland by December 10 to attend Orientation Week! 

The Orientation Week schedule will be added to this page soon.

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.

  • Orientation Week includes:
    1. English language or academic placement testing (if required, see this chart for more information)
    2. academic advising
    3. registration for classes
    4. workshops on PCC academic programs, policies, student services, and F-1 visa regulations
  • Students who do not register for Orientation Week by December 1 cannot register for classes.
  • 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 oiss.orientation@pcc.edu with any questions.

Transfer Students

You must ask your current school’s international student advisor (DSO) to transfer your SEVIS record to PCC. It must be transferred before you can register for classes!

Preparing for Your Trip and Arriving in Portland

Packing

The U.S. has very strict rules about what you can bring into the country. Please review the information and pack appropriately.

Airport Pick-up

PCC does not offer airport pick-up. You will need to arrange your own transportation. Some options for ground transportation at Portland International Airport (PDX) are:

Portland International Airport

This page is maintained by the International Student Life Coordinator.