My Oregon Home
A program to meet Oregon.
This program has been canceled for fall 2023
Program Overview
Welcome to our program to meet Oregon! Designed specifically for incoming students, this program will help you get acclimated to Eugene and Oregon. The focus of this program is to help create a sense of home for incoming students by providing a broader understanding of the land, nature, people, history, and contemporary issues in Oregon.
Our goal is to introduce you to the local culture, house you in homestays, take you on excursions throughout Oregon, and teach you how to navigate Eugene and the University of Oregon.
Beyond the cultural elements of the program, you'll also receive academic instruction on a range of Oregon-specific topics. This includes geography, weather and climate, flora and fauna, agriculture, pre- and post-contact history, and contemporary issues affecting Eugene and Oregon. All of this will assist you in your transition to higher education in the United States.
Join us and get ready to experience Oregon in a unique and meaningful way!
While this program is focused on incoming international and exchange students, it is open to all students.
Highlights
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Explore Eugene by bike and get to know the local culture.
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Visit the Oregon coast, the Cascade Mountains, and the Columbia River Gorge to experience the ocean as well as the state’s forests and rivers.
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Learn about Oregon's indigenous history and contemporary human issues.
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Study geography, weather and climate, land ownership, and contemporary environmental issues.
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Learn outside of the classroom by walking and biking through natural areas and traveling by van to different parts of western Oregon.
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Experience homestays for one week and gain a local perspective of Eugene.
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Witness the stunning waterfalls that Oregon has to offer.
Dates & Sample Itinerary
(Itinerary subject to change based on weather)
| DATE | Activity |
|---|---|
|
Day 0 September 10 |
Arrive in Eugene |
|
Day 1 September 11 |
Introduction to UO Campus Landscape history, and introduction to Willamette River and Frohnmayer footbridge. |
|
Day 2 September 13 |
Introduction to Eugene Weather and climate, bus trip to downtown to visit various locations. |
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Day 3 September 15 |
Coast and Coast Range Visit private and public forest lands, van trip to the beach and coast. |
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Day 4 September 21 |
History of Eugene Private and public lands, visit Museum of Natural and Cultural History and Many Nations Longhouse. |
|
Day 5 September 22 |
Introduction to Oregon Rivers and Forest Fires Bus trip to the McKenzie River Ranger Station and hike along the McKenzie visiting Paradise Campground and Belknap Hot Springs. |
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Day 6 October 1 |
Modern Challenges in Eugene Guest presentations about Black experience, and socio-economic conflicts in Eugene. |
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Day 7 October 8 |
Farm Day Visit farms featuring the four major crops in Eugene. |
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Day 8 October 15 |
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Travel to Portland area and visit fish hatcheries, the Gorge, and an afternoon hike at Beacon Rock State Park. |
|
Day 9 October 22 |
Cascades Mountains Visit waterfalls, Santiam Pass, and the Ponderosa Pine Zone on the dry side of the mountains. |
| December | Final Project Due |
Academic Details
Credits:
Earn four 200-level Global Studies credits.
Although this program prioritizes hands-on learning experiences, you will also receive academic preparation for the University of Oregon's standards. You can expect a balance of classroom lectures, guest lectures, field excursions, written essays, and a final project to be completed by the end of the course.
Topics include:
- Flora and fauna
- Weather and climate
- Geography and Geology
- Watercourses and fisheries
- Pre- and post-contact history
- Contemporary issues affecting Eugene and Oregon
Faculty
Housing
Students are responsible for arranging their own housing. International students may opt for a homestay during the first week of the program. However, arrangements after will need to be made independently.
Students planning to live in University of Oregon housing for fall term may select an early move-in option to secure housing for the second week of the program. For those preferring off-campus housing, further resources can be found in the Arrival and Housing Resources guide.
Application Process
The application is open to all degree-seeking students, incoming exchange students, and incoming international students, with a deadline of July 1. The cost of the program is a $100 application fee. Besides that, the programs costs are included the 4 GLBL credits.
Incoming international students, please ensure that you have completed up to Step 7 of the Pre-Arrival Checklist to be eligible to apply.
Acceptance decisions will be communicated shortly after the submission of a complete application. Please keep in mind that some programs may reach full capacity quickly, sometimes even before the deadline, so early application submissions are encouraged.
Info Session
Watch the video to learn more about the program from the faculty leader and program coordinator.