I’m currently a high school senior from Minnesota and I got accepted into the engineering program at Penn State-University Park. Right now this school is pretty much my top choice but I’ve been reading some reviews about racism and scandals at the school that have made me start to rethink my options. I know the school isn’t super diverse but that’s not really an problem for me. However, as an Asian-American student, I was just wondering if racism/scandal was truly a large issue at Penn State before I make my final decision. Thanks!
I live in state so I know a lot of kids who go there. I haven’t really heard of any racism issues and most people love going there. I’d say its a solid choice.
Local as well. I always thought we had a rather diverse population here within State College, especially among Asian Americans. However, our campus is located in a rural area of PA so I can’t speak to those areas on the outskirts. There have been a few isolated episodes but typically both the university and student body speak out against that type of garbage. IMHO (and just from my own experience), we have a decent international community that, to me, sticks together. I can’t imagine that you’d have any problems.
I would say there is no more than any other big college, there are some incidents, however I think you’ll be fine, there’s so many communities and cultures on campus that you can surround yourself and feel like you belong. I personally myself have been the victim of some hatespeech on campus, but people stood up for me and the university handled it very well.
Check out Penn State Filipino Association. Has a Facebook, too.
International student here. Happy Valley lives up to its name. I have never had anyone be rude let alone racist to me or any of my friends. Rumor has it that all rude and racist people are thrown into the Penn State tunnels.