News Release

Friend–making a vital ingredient in adapting to college life

August 29, 2008

(L to R) Qiqi Wang, Anika Nazmun,
Ashely Edwards, and Krystal Kenlan

That first semester of college for a student fresh out of high school can be both overwhelming and intimidating.

Schedules, books, instant homework, and getting the feel for a new home away from home fill a new student’s days as they become acclimated to college life.

And then there’s the vital social aspect of college living. Making new friends, moving into new housing, spending productive time away from the books, and simply relaxing are all part of the overall college experience.

At Penn State Harrisburg, there are a multitude of activities and events available to all students through the Office of Campus Life and Intercultural Affairs’ programming. "The overall purpose of the programming is to enhance the out-of-classroom experience for students," says Melinda Logan, a member of the team which arranges the activities.

Blair Rundsdtrom, left, and Kathryn Busby

"We try to cover a wide variety of events from educational, which can include working together on academics, to simple programs such as craft night and the popular stuff-a-plush to provide a break from studies and a social period with friends."

Events such as Fall Fest, the all-college picnic, and Spring Luau are among the most popular with the student body at Penn State Harrisburg, but some of the more simple activities sometimes provide the best opportunities to make friends early in the semester and get a feel for the college.

One such gathering just two days into the semester — an ice cream social in the housing complex’s Community Center — gave several hundred students an opportunity to unwind and reflect on their first days on campus.

Freshman roommates Blair Rundstrom, an Elementary Education major from Bellmarr, N.J. and Kathryn Busby, a Communications Sciences major from Nashua, N.H., both commented that they had not visited Penn State Harrisburg until after they were accepted. And what were their reactions when they finally visited campus?

The first member of her immediate family to attend college, Blair happily exclaims, "I like it here! I’ve wanted to go to Penn State since I was 12."

Kathryn echoes Blair with, "I love it here!" She adds, "I am not at all disappointed in Penn State Harrisburg. Blair and I are best friends already; it’s like we’ve known each other for years."

Sophomore Public Relations major Elle Scarpa from "south Jersey," compares the growth of the college in just one year with the simple observation, "It’s more crowded."

New roommates and friend-making has been an instantly pleasant experience for four first-year students — Anika Nazmun, a native of Bangladesh now residing in Hatfield, Pa., Krystal Kenlan from Dingmans Ferry, Pa., Ashley Edwards, a New York native now residing in Lewisberry, and Qiqi Wang, a native of China now residing in Charles County, Md.

Strangers on move-in day just four days before the ice cream social, the four are unanimous in their praise for the campus and their new roommates. "We’re fast friends already," Qiqi says with a smile. Nazmun adds, "It’s really great here."