INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER

Happy Disability Pride Month! 



This year’s national theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” is a reminder that every perspective makes a difference. At PCC, our college is stronger because of the students, faculty and staff with disabilities who are part of our community.



PCC’s Disability Cultural Alliance works to ensure that all students have the resources and support they need to fully participate across our campuses. And the Accessibility Hub on our Southeast Campus extends that mission by providing a dedicated space where students with disabilities can connect, access resources, and build community together. 


Here’s to celebrating Disability Pride and continuing to offer an educational experience where everyone can thrive!

What's Included This Week?


  • Happy Disability Pride Month!


OISS Announcements

  • Where can I find a SEVIS DSO this week?
  • Do You Need U.S. Based Mobile Phone Service
  • SEVIS Updates: What is a Withdrawal, What happens when you withdraw? What should you do instead?



OISS Activities & Events

  • Summer Talk Time Cafe Schedule
  • Summer Events
  • Dance in the Park
  • Chat & Chew: Turkish Food & Portland Culture Experience


OISS Health Information

  • Insurance ID Card


PCC Events & Resources

  • PCC Events & Resources
  • Free Food Market
  • The Multnomah County Mobile Clinic
  • WRC Connect


JOBS

  • Basic Needs and Sustainability Leadership Ambassador
  • Career Services Peer Advisors Wanted


Other Resources


Housing


Share Your Photo

  • Summer Adventures: Europe Edition!

OISS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Where can I find a SEVIS DSO this week?

U.S. Based Mobile Service

Do You Need U.S. Based Mobile Phone Service?


Check out Campus SIMS (partnered with Mint Mobile)

Get a FREE SIM card at any OISS location


Find more information at campussims.com

Announcements from SEVIS Team

LATE DROPS/WITHDRAWAL


What is Withdrawal?

You can only drop a class until the drop deadline. After that, it’s called a “withdrawal,” and it has different consequences. Do not withdraw from a course without permission from the SEVIS Team. No refunds are available for withdrawn classes.


What happens when you withdraw?

If you withdraw from a course that brings you below 12 credits, or less than the required number of in-person credits, your SEVIS record will be terminated and your F-1 status canceled. In this case, you must depart the U.S. immediately to avoid any negative consequences.


What should you do instead?

Instead, you might be able to change a course grade option from letter grades (A-F) to Pass/No Pass (P/NP). If you have questions about P/NP grades, make an appointment with your academic advisor in Navigate 360. The deadline to make this change in MyPCC is Saturday, August 29, or the day of your last class, whichever is earlier.

OISS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Summer Talk Time Cafe

☀️ Our Summer Talk Time Café Schedule Is Here!


We look forward to seeing you this summer for conversation, connection, and community. Join us to practice English, meet new friends, and explore fun topics together.

Summer Events

Please check Panther Hub regularly for event details and to sign up! We will also share updates in our newsletter and on our social media channels.


Don’t miss out on all the fun, learning, and community this summer!

Dance in the Park

Join the Office of International Student Services for Tabor Dance, a free outdoor community dance event where people come together to enjoy music, movement, and connection in a welcoming park setting. With live DJs, an open dance floor, and a fun, inclusive atmosphere, it's a great opportunity to experience Portland's vibrant summer community while meeting new people!


Wednesday, July 8

6-9PM

Laurelhurst Park

(SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark St.)


Registration is Required through Pantherhub Here

Chat & Chew: Turkish Food & Portland Culture Experience

Join the Office of International Student Services for a Chat & Chew featuring delicious Turkish cuisine at Constantinople Restaurant! Enjoy a meal with fellow international students, make new friends, and experience Turkish culture through food.

After lunch, we'll take a short walk to Powell's City of Books, one of Portland's most iconic landmarks.


Saturday, July 11

2-5PM

Constantinople Restaurant

(410 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209)


Registration is Required through Pantherhub Here

OISS HEALTH INFORMATION

Insurance ID Card

Visit PCC's health insurance webpage.


For any additional questions please email us at oiss.insurance@pcc.edu 

PCC EVENTS & RESOURCES

Americans with Disabilities Act 36th Anniversary

July is Disability Pride Month!


The Oregon Disabilities Commission (ODC), Northwest ADA Center and Disability Rights Oregon are hosting free webinars in July recognizing the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These sessions will share information and foster discussions with the aim to improve Oregon for people with disabilities. All are welcome and these sessions are FREE! All you have to do is register (link below)


These webinars are weekly,

with the first meeting on July 7. All meetings are 11:30AM to 1PM Pacific Time.


Topics by date:

July 7: Exploring Cross-Disability Experiences and Support Needs

July 14: Building Inclusive and Accessible Emergency Management Systems

July 21: ADA: How Far We’ve Come and What Comes Next

July 28: Understanding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Ruling on Digital Accessibility


How to register:

Please use this link to register ahead of time for the series. After you register, Zoom will send you an email with a link to join the meetings.


Accessibility

We want everyone to feel welcome and safe. We will provide free support so everyone can participate, including:

American Sign Language

Spanish interpretation

Live captions

Other languages on request


Find more information on the Oregon Department of Human Services ADA event web page HERE


To request support or ask questions about access, email OregonDisabilities.Commission@odhsoha.oregon.gov

UPCOMING FREE FOOD MARKETS

🥕Free Food Markets


Friday, July 10*

Rock Creek, Bldg 5, SBNC Patio

12:30-1:30PM


Monday, July 13

Sylvania, Upper CC Mall

12:30-1:30PM


Wednesday, July 15

SouthEast, MTH Great Hall

1-2PM


Need groceries? Stop by the Free Food Market! These community events feature fresh produce provided by the Oregon Food Bank, along with a variety of non-perishable food items.


The Free Food Market is open to all students and community members and is a great opportunity to access free food and pantry staples. Events are scheduled throughout the term based on food deliveries from the Oregon Food Bank.



Everyone is welcome!


No ID is needed to attend. Please bring your own bag or box to transport the food.

 https://www.pcc.edu/basic-needs/

The Multnomah County Mobile Clinic

The Multnomah County Mobile Clinic will provide medical, dental, behavioral health, and case management services at the Southeast campus in the courtyard between the Mt. Tabor and Mt. Scott buildings.


Services are available to students, staff, and community members on a first-come, first-served basis; signups are located in front of the clinic van.


The mobile clinic accepts OHP and other insurance plans, but insurance is not required to receive services.The mobile clinic can provide healthcare to everyone living in Multnomah county, whether they are covered by insurance, paying what they can, or unable to pay. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay.


The summer term schedule for the Mobile Clinic is

11AM-2PM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month:


July 7

July 21

August 11


If you have additional questions, feel free to check out the Multnomah County Mobile Clinic website or email basicneeds@pcc.edu

 https://www.pcc.edu/basic-needs/

WRC Connect

WRC Connect


Need support, resources, community, or a place to take a break this summer?


Join the Cascade Women’s Resource Center for WRC Connect, a weekly summer event where students can connect with WRC staff, access resources, use the WRC student lounge, and spend time in a welcoming space.


The WRC centers the experiences of women and supports students through a gender justice lens. Students of all gender identities are welcome in the space, including women, trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students. You do not need to have a specific question, identity, or reason to visit.



At WRC Connect, you can:

  • Ask questions or get help finding a next step
  • Learn about campus and community resources
  • Use computers or print up to 10 pages per day
  • Grab free snacks, coffee, tea, menstrual products, safer sex supplies including condoms, or hygiene products while supplies last
  • Take a break to eat, study, charge your phone, or relax in the space
  • Play Nintendo Switch, watch a movie, or read a book
  • Meet new people or spend time on your own


During Fall, Winter, and Spring terms, students can visit the Cascade WRC throughout the week for programs, resources, support, and community. Summer is a little different while we prepare for the year ahead. WRC Connect is our weekly Wednesday event where students can still access the Cascade WRC space, connect with WRC staff, and use available resources.

You do not need to know exactly what to ask before coming. Come for a few minutes or stay a while.


Wednesdays

10AM–2PM

Cascade Women’s Resource Center, SU 301


No registration required.

 https://pcc.edu/women


 Food Provided (Coffee, Tea, Limited grab and go snacks (granola bars/popcorn/protein)


RSVP through PantherHub Here

OTHER RESOURCES

JOBS

Apply to work with us as Basic Needs and Sustainability Leadership Ambassador for the 2026/2027 Academic Year!


Applications are open now. For best consideration, apply by Friday, July 20. In person interviews will be held July 28-29 at the Cascade Campus.

Career Services Peer Advisors Wanted

Peer Advisors Wanted for the 2026–27 Academic Year!


Peer Advisor positions are available at PCC Rock Creek, Southeast, and Sylvania campuses.

Peer Advisors help fellow students explore career goals, develop professional skills, and connect with valuable campus resources.

Interested students can scan the QR code, view the job posting on PantherWorks, or visit the application link to apply Here.

For questions or accommodation requests, please contact peersupervisors@pcc.edu.

Applying for jobs?


Make sure your resume is ready to make a strong first impression. Because resume expectations in the United States may differ from those in your home country, Career Services can help you effectively showcase your education, skills, and experience to U.S. employers.


Schedule a resume review appointment before you apply!


HOUSING

Looking for Housing Near PCC Rock Creek?


Two rooms are available in a house located just a couple of blocks from PCC Rock Creek!


Available rooms:

  • Private room: $534.44/month + utilities
  • Shared room: $426.38/month + utilities (shared with one other person)


The current lease ends on August 1, and the roommates are looking for new tenants who can move in during July.

Interested or have questions?



Contact Valentina via email here

Housing Submission Information

If you are looking for housing or have housing available and would like to share with other students, please complete the form below and we will include it in this newsletter for two weeks.

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is meant to provide assistance in locating off-campus housing. Inclusion of any property, rental unit, or other housing options in this newsletter does not constitute, and shall not be construed or reported as an endorsement or approval by Portland Community College of the housing option, landlord, its properties, or its business practices. Portland Community College expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise with regard to such housing options, property, or rental units or with regard to disputes between landlords and tenants concerning such property or rental units. All prospective tenants are encouraged to exercise their own good judgment when evaluating housing options, a prospective rental unit, or a landlord.

Share Your Photo with Us!

Do you love taking photos? We would love to feature your photography in our weekly newsletter!


Each week, we will highlight a photo taken by a PCC international student or staff member. Your photo can be about travel, culture, nature, campus life, or a special moment you want to share.


You can also include a short title or story (1–3 sentences) to tell us more about the photo (where it was taken, what it means to you, or why it’s special.)


How to submit:

Send your photo (and short story, if you would like) to Anna Gindlesperger anna.gindlesperger@pcc.edu with the subject line Photo Submission with your name.


We can’t wait to see the world through your lens! 

✈️ Summer Adventures: Europe Edition


Our Recruitment Specialist, Alegria Mateus with her beautiful family, recently explored some of Europe's most beautiful cities, including Paris, Madrid, Toledo, Zaragoza, and Barcelona. From historic landmarks to vibrant local culture, her journey was filled with unforgettable experiences and wonderful memories!

Check out these pages on our website for more great information and tips!

Advising

Employment

Health Insurance

Housing

OISS Staff

Tax Information


Stay involved, engaged, and connected by visiting PCC Event Calendar, signing up for PantherHub, and by following our social media pages linked below!

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