A service for new Portland State University international students and visiting scholars
What is a FOCUS Airport pickup?
FOCUS makes arrangements for one of their staff or volunteers to meet you at the airport when you arrive for the first time in Portland. The driver will take you to your destination address. Your driver may be picking up additional students who are arriving at the same time.
- This is a free service provided by FOCUS staff and volunteers.
- No agent should charge you a fee for this FOCUS service.
- The FOCUS driver will take you to your campus housing or other housing near the PSU campus.
- If you need to go to other locations in the Portland area, enter the address in your pickup request and we will see if it would be possible for us to take you to that location.
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).
Who is FOCUS?
FOCUS is a faith-based community organization that provides services and activities for any and all PSU internationals and visiting scholars. See https://www.focuspsu.com for more information.
Who is eligible for a FOCUS Airport Pickup?
Due to limited resources, this service is only available for Portland State University international students and scholars who are arriving in Portland for the first time.
You must meet the following conditions:
- 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 IELP student (PSU’s Intensive English Language Program) attending classes during the regular PSU quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer terms)
- 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 do not pickup at train stations or bus stations.
Those arriving by bus or train can take the Trimet MAX (train) that goes directly from the train and bus station to the PSU campus. It is a 15-minute ride on the MAX Green or Yellow line. The cost is $2.50.
We are not able to provide this service for those coming to Portland for internships or jobs.
Q: What if I don’t know where I will be living in Portland?
A: It is better to submit your application when you have your destination address.
- We would prefer that you wait to submit your application when you have your housing arranged.
- If you will be traveling to Portland in less than two weeks and your housing is still not arranged, submit your application now and then tell us where you will be living as soon as you know it. We cannot assign a driver until we know your destination.
- If you have applied for a FOCUS homestay but have not been assigned to a home, put “FOCUS Homestay Requested” for your destination address.
- If you are connected to the Indian Student Association to arrange temporary housing when you arrive, put “ISA – Goose Hollow” 1604/1630 SW Clay, Portland” for your destination address.
See the FOCUS Airport Pickup FAQ page for more additional information.
Submit your request for pickup on the FOCUS Airport Pickup request page. You will find additional information there.