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Interview with Rafael Scarnati,
a student from Mexico
by Ashley Hurst
Q: Did you look at any colleges!
in Mexico?
A: "Yes, I looked at ITESM, my
brother goes to this institute. 1 I
also looked at UDEM.-
0: Whitt made you choose Penni
State University and the United
States?
A: "I chose the United States awl'
Penn State University to gain in
dependence and because of the
great education that they both!
have to offer. Also, I chose Penn
State University because 1111' dad!
Attended this University.-
Q: What are ,synne things that you
like about Behrend solar?
A: "Education is great. The
classes are interesting and I like
that there are small class sizes.
Socially, people are friendly. It
is somewhat different than
'4e.vico because when \'ou greet
people in Mexico you kiss them
the cheek, but here von just
.shake hands, its more ofa cultural
difference. "
Q: What is the difference between I
Mexico and the United States ? I
A: "The food is different. For e.v
ample, it is easier to drink W I
Mexico because it is legal fat at I
. Younger age]. The parties are a:
lot wilder at Behrend than in I
Mexico.
"Education is a lot betterl
also, if you want to get a good'
education you have to go to pri- i
ate schools in Mexico, but in thel
United States there are great pub
ic schools. The public schools inl
Me vico are not very good."
Q: Have you been homesick at all !
this school year?
A: "Yes, when everyone went
home
. fOr Labor Day I was here
1 1-‘ myself and I really didn't know
anyone vet, that is the worst that
I have been homesick. I won't go
home until Christmas, but my
parents and best friend are com
ing up here to see me for Thanks-
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Diverse Clubs and Organizations
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) provides a supportive environment for African
American students.
Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS)- Support group for Latin American students
on campus
Asian Student Organizations- supports Asian students on campus. Celebrates various holidays
and customs
Human Relations Programming Council (HRPC)- provides forums on issues of racism, sexism,
prejudice, and discrimination.
Association of Black Collegians (ABC)- promotes ethnic awareness on campus and is very
active in the Penn State Behrend Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
Multi-Cultural Council (MCC)- This is the coordinating council for all the organizations listed
It is important in putting together the annual Cultural Fiesta to all students. faculty, and staff.
Frigon- this organization makes homosexuality and bisexuality acceptable. It is also a support and social group
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Penn State Behrend is a diverse campus that sponsors a variety of clubs and
activities, which support cultural differences on campus. Behrend is well known for its
activities that help students become more 'culturally aware of their surroundings.
For example. there are many multicultural programs and activities. These include
the Speaker series. Feminist Scholar Speaker Series, Cultural and Performing Arts Series.
Film Series, Cultural Fiesta. and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. week-long birthday
celebration.
The Speaker Series brings nationally recognizes individuals to campus to entertain
and educate students. faculty, and staff. The Feminist Scholar Speaker Series brings
feminist leaders to campus to discuss feminist issues. The Cultural and Performing Arts
Series has very diverse performances including comedy acts, storytelling, music, and
drama. The Film Series hosts films that are associated with special observations and
celebrations. Cultural Fiesta is a day-long party celebrating different cultures with food.
music, and dance. Finally, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration commemorates his
birth and the history and legacy he left behind.
African Americans - 116 Students
Total Number of Minorities - 227 Stu
dents
by Lauren Hiegel, Ashley Hurst, and Zoe Rose
staff writers
Statistics about Behrend:
International - 47 Students
Asians - 61 Students
Latino/His
by Lauren Hiegel
staff writer
anics - 50 Students
I NN a • - N - r J
Ar.~'
Interview with Kumiko Asada,
a student from Japan
by Zoe Rose
Kumiko(Kimmy) was horn in I
Japan and attended high school 1
in Indonesia.
Q: Why did you decide to come
to the United States for college?
A: "The University in Indonesia
is not very good and I have
friends here in the States. Also,
since I attended Jakarta Interna
tional School, it has the same
educational system as the
schools here in the skites.-
Q: Why did VOU not attend a
Japanese university?
A: It would be difficult to at
tend a university in Japan be
cause they have different crite
ria needed to be accepted and I
would fall behind because they
have a different system. It is
easier to adapt to the school sys
tem here since it is almost the
same as Jakarta.-
Q: What is a main difference you
have experienced by attending
Behrend?
A: "Classes at Jakarta are much
harder than here but the GPA
calculation is easier than here.
Another difference is that a lot
of students go home for the week
end so it can get lonely. My par
ents call me every weekend since
it can get expensive to connnu-
mcate
Q: Socially, what do you feel is
different here than Indonesia?
A: Socially, when one greets an
individual in Indonesia, you
would shake hands first and then
kiss them on the cheek three
times."
Q: What do you think of the food'
served here at campus?
A: Culturally. American food is
greasy and oily. In Indonesia, I
eat Asian ‘ food which is more nu
tritious than the States."