<p>i just started my college search and i was looking at penn state . the only thing is i'm more of a city person and its a small college town. what is there to do during the day for fun? is there any good shopping nearby- stores like forever 21? and what are the people like? any help would be appreciated- thanks so much!</p>
<p>I don’t know a whole lot about shopping but there are a lot of stores on east college ave that seem good. Also, you can bus down to the mall that has some stuff. I’ve found the people around to be very friendly. During the fall, there is a lot going on with clubs and there is always something going on at the HUB.</p>
<p>At first I thought this question couldn’t be a serious one. Enough to do?! It’s Penn State! Unless your looking for a New York shopping experience, and only care about where you’re going to shop for your next designer handbag, or are looking for year round warmth and the closest beach, this is the place to be! Penn State Football, parties galore, endless school affiliated clubs, college avenue… and the town around PSU lives and breathes Penn State. I have never heard of anyone being bored here…And yes the people are very nice. You can stop anyone for directions, and even if they’re in a hurry, they’ll be glad to help. Plus, you’d be hard pressed not to find a group you want to hang around. “You can make a big school small, but you can’t make a small school big!” Go Penn State!</p>
<p>It’s a valid question. State College is a small town and Penn State is dominated by kids from small town and suburban Pennsylvania and New Jersey. If you really picture yourself going to school in a big city, Penn State is not that. PSU is also not the most diverse place – tends to be upper middle class white and Asian suburbanites. But it is more diverse, and more international, than it has ever been.</p>
<p>That said, if you have an active lifestyle, you want a diversity of extracurricular outlets and social outlets, Penn State is a fantastic place. Whatever you’re into there’s probably a club for it. And if you like to play sports at any level – recreational, serious intramural, club level, whatever – Penn State has incredible facilities and support systems.</p>
<p>This is a very good comment – Penn State is a huge school that seems small. An amazing diversity of social and recreational outlets. The administration and faculty have worked really hard at improving the undergraduate experience. I have a kid who’s a sophomore there and she has encountered friendly, supportive faculty everywhere she’s turned. I thought she would have more of a “you’re a number” experience but it’s been just the opposite – she’s been very well taken care of at PSU (she’s in engineering). Just a wonderful support network.</p>