study abroad | Transportation Research and Education Center

Students Learn Effective Transportation Methods That They Can Bring Back to the US

Sep 20, 2023

Since 2011, Portland State University and the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation have offered a unique opportunity to students: a two-week study abroad course that introduces participants to cities with stellar bike cultures. In past years, classes have explored the Netherlands. This year’s class of fourteen students, led by Professor John MacArthur and supported by funding from the Scan Design Foundation, explored Denmark. See photos from the trip.

Students chose to go on the trip because they knew of the countries’ renown as excellent places to cycle and wanted to learn new strategies that they could bring back to the US. Melissa Kostelecky, a PSU student pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Transportation, was inspired to take the trip because she is on a mission to create a better world for her children. In biking, she sees “relief from the isolated, sedentary lifestyle that car dominance has,” “economic freedom,” “a...

Transportation Students Get Firsthand Look at Multimodal Travel in Denmark and Sweden

Sep 29, 2022

A group of nine transportation students traveled to Denmark and Sweden this past summer, to meet with planners and engineers and get a feel for on-the-ground transportation in Copenhagen and Stockholm. They explored the area by rail, foot, bike and boat, in between presentations and tours led by professionals.

Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC)'s associate director, Hau Hagedorn, and sustainable transportation program manager, John MacArthur, led the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI) Study Abroad program. See photos from the trip.

In past years they've traveled to the Netherlands to experience the Dutch approach to cycling infrastructure and multimodal travel. This year, they decided to expand the mission. Copenhagen, like Amserdam, is sometimes referred to as the cycling capital of the world. Stockholm, along with some...

Student Study Abroad 2019: Sustainable Transportation in the Netherlands

Offered through the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation at TREC, this four-credit PSU study abroad program (CE 495 / 595) presents an introduction to sustainable transportation and land use applications in the Dutch context.

WATCH A RECORDED INFO SESSION

Before you apply for the program, check out some frequently asked questions or watch the recent Jan 11, 2019 information session:

PROGRAM OVERVIEW (June 23 - July 6, 2019)

The course creates an immersive experience to explore the Dutch approach to cycling, transit, innovative mobility and land use. The curriculum...

Cancelled: Student Study Abroad 2020: Sustainable Transportation in the Netherlands

We remain committed to making decisions that promote the success and well-being of our communities, and support our community members in following taking steps to take care of themselves, minimize the spread of the COVID-19, and protect those who are the highest risk. Unfortunately, Student Study Abroad 2020: Sustainable Transportation in the Netherlands has been cancelled for 2020 in order to serve these ends. We intend to offer the course again next year. Fill out this interest form if you would like us to notify you when study abroad applications open for 2021.

This four-credit (CE 495 / 595) Portland State University course creates an immersive experience to explore the Dutch approach to cycling, transit, innovative mobility and land use. The curriculum will feature material that provides a comparison between U.S. and the Netherlands problems, priorities, and solutions. Specific emphases on planning and engineering principles, policy, and practice will be explored through field trips, tours and guest lectures, while visiting Utrecht, Amsterdam, Delft, and Houten. Students completing this course will develop a broader understanding of sustainable transportation issues and expand...

Cancelled: Professional Study Abroad 2020: Active Transportation in the Netherlands

We remain committed to making decisions that promote the success and well-being of our communities, and support our community members in following taking steps to take care of themselves, minimize the spread of the COVID-19, and protect those who are the highest risk. Unfortunately, Professional Study Abroad 2020: Sustainable Transportation in the Netherlands has been cancelled for 2020 in order to serve these ends. We intend to offer the course again next year. Fill out this interest form if you would like us to notify you when study abroad applications open for 2021.

Watch a video overview of the course with instructor John MacArthur.

Practitioners are invited to attend this one-week, 30-credit study abroad course biking in the Netherlands. Curriculum will compare U.S. and Netherlands problems, priorities and solutions with specific emphasis on design and engineering principles. Leading bicycle professionals responsible for creating and maintaining the Netherlands' world-class bikeway system will teach the Dutch approach to bike and pedestrian planning and design through an intensive week of classroom sessions and tours. The...