Campus Culture

Has anyone ever noticed how weird gym behavior is? I mean really, people spend more time looking awkwardly around the room than actually working out—why would anyone want to spend two hours at the gym? Who has this time?

As a State College townie, I’ve been to just about every restaurant this town has to offer. Going to college in my hometown has really opened my eyes to the fact that most college students never leave campus. There is a real town outside of our Happy Valley bubble; I promise.

Americans are very passionate about their holiday celebrations. Australians love a good holiday too, but I feel like we don’t have as many big holidays as America does.

As a photographer, I’m starting to get requests for graduation photos. This means requests to take photos, make the seniors look their best, and help cement the Penn State memories within a single click of a camera.

Weekends at college are often associated with getting drunk. It may come as a surprise to some that not everybody likes to heavily drink all the time. If you feel like having a quiet night in and aren’t sure what to do then take a look at this list for some inspiration.

If going out dressed up as promiscuous civil servants or walking around in lingerie with animal ears isn’t exactly your thing, you are probably not a huge fan of college Halloween.

Not in a mood to dress up in a costume? Want to have some hair-raising fun without breaking the bank? The School of Theatre has something in store for you this Halloween: Dead State. The Pavilion Theatre will turn into the “scariest” haunted house on campus.

Scary movie marathons are on television 24/7, pumpkins and skulls pop up at the windows of stores and costumes take over boutique racks. Among them are ones that make me go “… what?” These are my reactions and thoughts on the costumes sold in stores.

When I tell people that I’m from Australia I often get the reply, “Oh! I want to do study abroad there!” Australian university life is incredibly different from here at Penn State.

It’s common for students who are constantly on the go to get lost in assignments and activities and miss some of nature’s beauty around them. Jessica Korch, artist of the Life.Color.Abstraction. Photo Exhibit offers portraits of familiar places in an artistic colorful and abstract light.

Penn State’s new brand campaign, “Penn State Lives Here” is being distributed around the Penn State campus this week. The new slogan replaces the most recent, “It’s Your Time.”

When I told my friends back in Australia that I was going to join a sorority I got quite negative reactions: Aren’t sorority girls stupid? Why would you want to join one of those?! Wait, are you serious? I thought you were joking.

One of my favorite things about being an international student in America is when people ask really ridiculous questions. I asked some of the other international students, compiled a list of some of the weirdest things we’ve been asked, and have provided answers.

In the spirit of Homecoming, Valley Magazine chatted with Penn State’s Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education, Dr. Robert Pangborn, to discuss everything from university tradition to favorite campus hangouts.