FOCUS Airport Pickups

A service for new Portland State University international students and visiting scholars

  • Who is FOCUS?
    • FOCUS is a faith-based community organization that freely provides services and activities for PSU internationals and visiting scholars.
  • What is a FOCUS Airport pickup?
    • FOCUS drivers volunteer their time (don’t offer to pay them) to welcome PSU international students and scholars when they arrive at Portland airport.
    • The volunteer will meet you at the baggage claim area for your flight and take you to your campus housing or apartment near the PSU campus.
      • If your destination is a PSU campus housing building, the driver will assist you with getting your PSU ID and picking up your key at Montgomery Court Housing Office.
  • When should I submit my request for a FOCUS airport pickup?
    • Please submit your request as soon as you have booked your flight and you know your destination address (where you will stay your first night in Portland). Submit your request no later than two weeks before your arrival date (even if destination address is not known).
  • Who is eligible for a FOCUS Airport Pickup?
    • You must meet the following conditions:
      • This is your first arrival at the Portland airport to attend PSU.
      • You have a PSU ID
      • F or J visa
      • You are one of the following:
        • PSU undergraduate student
        • PSU graduate student or post-baccalaureate
        • PSU PhD candidate or post-doctoral
        • PSU J Visa Visiting Scholar
      • Your enrollment period or time at PSU is for at least ten weeks (one PSU term).
      • You are arriving at Portland airport (PDX). We are unable to pickup at train stations or bus stations.
  • What about family members who will be coming with me?
    • If you have a family member traveling with you (father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, etc.) enter that information when you make your pickup request.
    • The state of Oregon has child safety seat laws that apply to children until they are at least 4’9″ (144cm) tall or eight years of age. See “Oregon child safety seat laws” for more information.  Most of our FOCUS volunteers do not have the safety seats required to transport children who need a child safety seat.

See FOCUS Airport Pickup FAQ for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Submit your request for pickup on the FOCUS Airport Pickup request page.  You will find additional information on that page.