On Saturday, ten Kansai University students, accompanied by coordinator Rob Kuipers, arrived in Portland to begin the on-site part of the Portland Blended Mobility Program in collaboration with Portland State University (PSU). Over the next two weeks, students will explore sustainability through interactive workshops, field trips, and service-learning activities, gaining valuable insights into how they can contribute to a more sustainable future.

 

The first week of the program featured a comprehensive sustainability-focused campus tour, highlighting PSU’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Students visited key facilities, including the food pantry, rooftop gardens, and resource centers, to learn how PSU integrates sustainability into campus life. They also explored PSU’s underground heating and cooling systems and visited the central transfer station to understand Portland’s waste management strategies.

Through interactive workshops with the PSU Student Sustainability Center and Student Community Engagement Center, students engaged in discussions on sustainability leadership and took part in a hands-on gardening activity at the campus garden. They also participated in art-based projects to envision sustainable futures and identify concrete actions to drive change.

 

Beyond their academic experiences, students immersed themselves in Portland’s culture with a trip to the scenic Columbia Gorge and a PSU Vikings basketball game.

 

The second week of the program will focus on service-learning opportunities, including volunteering at the Oregon Food Bank and exploring sustainability in the city through visits to thrift stores, zero-waste shops, and the Portland Food Co-op. Through these activities, students will gain practical knowledge and inspiration to promote sustainability in their own communities.