Shixiang Yuan (Rachel)

I am Rachel, an international student from China. I am currently a Junior studying at Smeal College of Business with a Science of Finance major in University Park. I am in the 2+2 program and started at Penn State York. It’s a great opportunity to start on a Commonwealth campus where there is plenty of chance to get involved in the community and build new relationships. Personally, I love the York campus for its smaller class and campus size. Everybody studying here has a great chance to build a connection with their professors which makes it much easier to face academic challenges. Plus, the tuition and living costs at commonwealth campuses are much lower than at the University Park campus.

Hamza AlAufi

My name is Hamza AlAufi and I am from Oman. I go to Penn State University Park and I study economics and political science. My story to Penn State started a long time ago when my older brother got admitted to Penn State back in 2014. He has been a very proud Penn Stater, loyalist and very connected to the Penn State and the Happy Valley community. Actually, it is already more than three years after his graduation and he still tells me how much he misses the place. After his graduation he worked in Texas and then ended up moving in with me for Spring 2020, obviously he couldn’t survive living away of such a great community. Back to my story, when I got my scholarship from my government, I did a gap year at Philadelphia, I then had to decide between Penn State and another university. At the beginning, I was hesitant to choose Penn State because I don’t like to do things my siblings did before me, fortunately, my brother has convinced me not to listen to my ego! And here I am making the best decision in my academic career.

Penn State is truly a community I like and fit in well. There are all sorts of opportunities you have and the resources you get in order to achieve your highest goals academically. Let alone the social experience you will have, the diversity I experienced is truly one of a kind. Moreover, I really like studying economics at Penn State as the professors never let resource unallocated to better help their students and better deliver knowledge.

Federico Ochoa

Hello! My name is Federico Ochoa and I’m a senior from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’m majoring in International Politics and I am currently an Admissions Ambassador at the University Park campus. Although I’m currently at the University Park campus, I started my first two years at Penn State Berks. I chose Penn State because of its blend of academics, social life and opportunities after college were the thing I was looking for in a college, and Penn State has it all. As I said before, I’m currently an Admissions Ambassador. I got this opportunity thanks to my involvement in the International New Student Orientation since I was a leader there. I decided to join mainly because I love Penn State and everything in it. From the outstanding academics, to the amazing social life to the biggest alumni in the world, Penn State is a place everyone should consider going, and I wanted people to know this, that is why I took on this challenge. Hope everyone is doing okay and staying healthy! WE ARE!

Alan Yue

I joined Penn State because of its reputation, resources, and best-in-the-country public school honors program — Schreyer Honors College. With scholarships since freshman year, PSU provided me multitudes of benefits and high-end opportunities to have the feeling of attending a private school, with the chance of immersing in the big-ten school prides environment at the same time. By learning, networking, and bonding with professors, alumni, and peers in various professional clubs and events, fraternity fun activities, and diverse communication chances, I met many aspiring people who have invigorated me since my freshman year. I would never believe how many friends I could make during Penn State to be an international student worldwide. I would also never think about how intensified the American college culture from Penn State had influenced me, which I promise you I visited all my friends in the TOP 20 schools — but NOTHING is like Penn State Blue & White culture. From 13 million students’ football games to the largest student-run philanthropic event in the world named THON, I can feel proud of every Penn Stater and alumni when they talk about their alma mater. With immense pride and love, I, along with more than 75,000 current students, welcome you to Penn State! Enjoying the benefit of joining one of the finest public schools in American education history with #1 satisfied and happiest college town will never let you down. WE ARE!

Semilore Babawale

My name is Semilore and I am an international student from Lagos, Nigeria. I am a sophomore majoring in Biology. I chose Penn State because of its numerous opportunities that it provides to its students from its numerous clubs and organizations to the largest student run philanthropy. The thought of being among the largest Alumni Association in the world exposes you to vast, lifelong connections that you could never imagine. Also, the ice cream at Berkey Creamery is something to experience- Alumni Swirl was my first love. I decided to attend Penn State because it provides a world-class quality education while giving student the access to experience an exciting and worthwhile social life.

Even though it’s a large school, there is never a dearth of opportunities to involve yourself in. It is a fun filled campus and you would definitely find your sense of belonging here through numerous ways. For me, the faculty and staff at Penn State have been very supportive and caring. They are my mentors, friends and family here and I feel comfortable with them because I know they only want the best for me. My advice to incoming freshmen would be to always put yourself out there as much as you can, don’t be afraid to try new things here, never be too hard on yourself, always ask for help because there are people willing to assist, and have a good time too because you are not alone here at Penn State. I congratulate and welcome you all for choosing the wonderful Penn State family. Get ready to be a Nittany Lion and embrace the strongest school spirit. WE ARE!!

Oshika Mishra

Hey! I am Oshika and I’m an international student from Mumbai, India. Currently a junior majoring in Data Sciences and am a transition student from Penn State Abington. I am the first one from my family to come abroad for studies, so I am grabbing every opportunity that comes my way including being the International Student Admissions Ambassador for Penn State where I get to work with the amazing Undergraduate Admissions team. It gives me an opportunity to constantly learn how to be a better advocate for international admission so we can bring more amazing students to Penn State. From school student organizations to culture clubs, from orientation leader to sorority, I am highly involved in very different kinds of things at Penn State. Recently, I have started learning Chinese online due to my love for languages and after completing this course I’d officially have learnt 6 languages! Some of my hobbies including dancing, travelling, tennis, swimming and reading books.

In August 2018, I was a freshman at Penn State. I was constantly told that I should be so proud, I was so lucky, so many people wanted to be there. A major benefit of going to a big school is that there are endless opportunities to meet new people. There is bound to be someone who shares the same interests as you in the sea of 40,000 students who go to University Park. State College starts to feel like home very quickly.

With an involvement fair the first week of every semester, it was very easy for me to jump right in and get involved. My circle of friends helps to make a big school seem smaller and the people you would see every day honestly will start to seem like a second family. You will very rarely be bored. At the end of your four years at Penn State, you’ll realize that the time went by so fast because there is no shortage of fun in State College. From football games to THON to Blue-White Weekend, there’s always something to look forward to. Following Penn State sports has been one of the best things about college for me. The sense of community you feel singing the alma mater with classmates and alumni at the end of a football game is truly awesome. If you choose to become a part of the community and really engage, then you will end up having a great four years. We are!