Your son or daughter is now a part of a large Penn State family. By accepting admission at Penn State, you too have now become a part of the ever growing Penn State global community. During his/her stay at Penn State York, your son/daughter will gain the academic and social experiences which will prepare him/her for the future. We understand the needs of an international student when he/she arrives to a new country and we offer our services which will enable them to have a positive learning environment. I am writing this letter to you to share information and resources provided by the Penn State York Office of Students Affairs which will help you understand what your son/daughter will experience when they arrive in the U.S. We welcome you to visit us anytime and contact us at 717-771-8419 or sud16@psu.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Somya Dwivedi-Burks, International Student Adviser
What does our office do?
Our office is a part of University Office of Global programs (UOGP), which is the central resource for all international students in the Penn State system. The UOGP is located in University Park. At Penn State York, we work in conjunction with UOGP to address issues experienced by international students such as, immigration, health insurance, and employment eligibility. The students can walk-in during office hours at the Multicultural Center on our campus with their concerns. Our office organizes the international student orientation which helps student familiarize with their new campus. We also plan international culture events for the students and offer information on study abroad programs. Our campus has currently has about fifty international students.
The staff at Penn State York who work specifically with international students are;
- Dr. Sharon Christ, sem1@psu.edu, director of Enrollment Management and Strategic Recruitment and Retention Initiatives
- Dr. Somya Dwivedi-Burks, sud16@psu.edu, international student adviser and instructor in biology
Please visit these websites:
What are the resources if my son or daughter gets sick?
Penn State York does not have a medical facility on-campus, but we are located within three miles of two large hospitals. Additionally, there are many medical clinics where a student can get the necessary medical attention. View a list of local health clinics and hospitals in the area.
Does my son or daughter need health insurance?
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory at Penn State for international students and their accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children). Penn State requires health insurance for international students for several reasons, including:
- Health care can be very costly in the U.S.
- The U.S. does not have a national health care plan.
- Health services may be restricted if you do not have health insurance.
View additional information on health insurance can be found here.
Are there any services available if my son or daughter needs academic help?
The Nittany Success center provides assistance for academic improvement to all students on campus. The center provides tutoring and consultation on writing as well. Visit the Nittany Success Center website.
Questions about academic degrees and majors can be addressed in the Advising and Career Development office on campus. Visit their website at or call 771-4053.
Will my son or daughter be safe on campus?
Penn State York’s Safety and Security Department is committed to providing safe environment to all the members of the campus community. The various services this department offers are; safety escorts, information on crime, fire, substance abuse prevention. View more information on campus safety.
Will my son or daughter suffer from culture shock?
The new experiences that your son and daughter will as they start living in a society can be uncomfortable and sometimes difficult. Every individual who moves into a new environment experiences a phase of acclimatization or culture shock. This is normal as your son and daughter will experience a new education system, food, social norms, and traditions pertaining to the American culture. This can be frustrating at first, and your student will need time to adjust. It is important that you assure your son or daughter to be patient as it is a part of his/her evolution into new culture. Please remind your son or daughter about the long term goals and remain supportive. Socializing and participating in campus activities is a great way to adjust into a new environment.
Here are some of the on-campus events and activities that your son/daughter can get involved in:
- Student Organizations and Clubs: The Office of Students Affairs and the Student Government Association sponsor many club activities on campus. There are clubs of social, academic and culture nature which run by students. If your son/daughter does not find anything that interests him/her, they can even form a new club.
- Pullo Family Perfomring Arts Center (The Pullo Center): Penn State York has a large theatre which hosts performances, concerts and plays throughout the year. Penn State York students can purchase tickets to these shows at a discounted rate.
- International Coffee Hour: Our weekly coffee hour is another great avenue to make new friends, share conversations over coffee and snacks.
- Unity Week: Penn State York celebrates diversity and culture by hosting this one weeklong event. The event is filled music and dance performances, student presentations, food tasting, art and culture from different parts of the world. The students and the staff/faculty come together to organize this event.