This fall, Penn State Berks will welcome its largest class of international students. Ninety-six new and returning students are expected to attend in the fall 2015 semester, an increase of 25 students from last year’s total of 71 international students. Approximately 30 will be new incoming freshmen.
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 17, the college held a week-long International Student Orientation for new international students. The orientation program covered the legal issues that students must deal with for immigration and government rules and regulations.
The international students will also meet and connect with their international mentors, as well as college faculty and staff members. They will learn how to get around campus and learn a bit about the history of the area, and will take a trip to Lancaster, where they will learn about the Amish culture. In addition, they will go shopping for bedding and other items for their rooms in the residence halls, as well as items they may need for the beginning of the academic year.
“The largest area represented by our international students is Asia — including the countries of China, South Korea and India," said Karen Kihurani, coordinator of multicultural programs. "This holds true for all Penn State campuses. This year, Penn State Berks will also have international students from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Portugal, Ecuador, Malaysia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Trinidad and Tobago, Oman and Egypt.”
The Office of Multicultural Programs holds a variety of programs throughout the semester for international students. After orientation, there will be an international reunion on Friday, Aug. 28, the first Friday of classes, for the international students to re-connect. During the fall semester, the Office of Multicultural Programs holds a Unity Day celebration and a Thanksgiving dinner to introduce international students to U.S. traditions. They are also planning a trip to Washington, D.C. later in the year.
Penn State Berks is committed to enhancing the diversity of its campus. One of the college’s strategic initiatives is to recruit, retain and graduate an increasingly diverse student body that represents all aspects of the communities we serve.
For more information about Penn State Berks international students or programs, contact Kihurani at 610-396-6080 or via e-mail at kek5@psu.edu.