It's cold. While great for skiers and snowmen, the weather blows for most of us. It is about this time of year that I start looking at sweet study-abroad locales. Here are a few PSU summer abroad programs that got me thinking about blue, sunny skies.
It might seem somewhat like a no-brainer, but Spain is kick-ass place to consider studying. European, warm, ridiculous nightlife, beautiful women (and well-dressed men). Ok, I guess it is not a great place for studying, but let's count that as a plus. Also, as Barcelona is rather far north, so it is an excellent staging ground for a Euro-tour. (If staying in Spain is more your game, check out Madrid or Granada)
Moving further east into the Mediterranean, the boot-country Italy is similar to Spain in the good-for-you-bad-for-your-GPA department. Stick to a place like Siena: you'll avoid the touristy mobs and still be able to see major sights on day-trips. Though the Siena program is more suitable for people who are peaking now (read: liberal arts majors), science and engineering majors should not despair.
It could be that Singapore is more your game. With courses available in engineering and the sciences, Singapore is a better fit for those with less wiggle room in their schedules. Also, a trip to Asia is way more adventurous than a stint in Europe, though the level of culture shock is surely a great deal higher. That aside, Singapore has tons of English-speakers which makes it a great place both to study and 'not-study' abroad.
Just to round things out, I often find that South America gets left out in many study abroad conversations, and I have no clue why. Who wouldn't want to spend a semester in Sao Paulo, for instance? A vibrant city with warm weather and sandy beaches is a rarity, throw in the fact that Brazil is fast-becoming an economic superpower, and it is safe to say that there are many things to see and do in Sao Paulo. Dust off that high school..uh.. Portuguese and get going next spring.
Aaron Clark is frustrated that the Greek Community has been blamed, almost exclusively, for the drinking problem at Penn State.
This frustration recently manifested itself in a manner that has become all too familiar... he made a Facebook group.
The group, titled "Greeks for Equal Accountability", was created "to bring attention to the fact that the IFC, its chapters, and all Greek organizations are making the most concerted effort to minimize risk, excessive drinking, and the negative stigma we began to carry when we were announced #1 Party School."
It's a canning weekend. That means that a good amount of your friends are out getting some last minute THON money (or simply going home to escape a zombie campus). For those of us who decided to stay in town tonight, though, there was a treat - Dr. Dog performing live at the State Theatre!
Read on to find out what you missed.
Colbert Nation has been successful, garnering 85% of the vote, but will the Center actually end up bearing Colbert's name?
Read on to find out...
The Collegian is reporting that CATA's fare may go from $1.25 to $1.50 in the near future. While this won't affect students who only ride the loop, those who take a trip to Walmart and Wegmans on occasion will have to pay a bit extra.
As one insightful student said:
I don't think anyone riding the bus will be supportive of it.
I ride the bus maybe once a month, so I know that even if the fare goes up, I'm probably not going to care.
A decision won't be made on the issue until March, and there will be a chance for community members to speak out on the issue. While the rate increase won't have much effect on students, I think those who are actual residents of State College and rely on the bus to get to work may have stronger opinions.
For many people, Valentine's Day brings up a lot of questions. What is love? Is there such a thing as destiny? What's the best way to dance on a pole? This year, this reporter decided to tackle the toughest of these questions. To get the answers I needed, I knew that I would have to go to a definitive expert. A Gentleman of State College.
Who are the Gentlemen of State College, you may ask? They provide a service many people may be needing around this time of year:
We are Central Pennsylvania's newest and hottest male escort service for men and women who want the best escort service in Central Pennsylvania. [...] The Gentlemen of State College proudly presents the best, most outrageous, charming, sexy and sophisticated gentlemen in Central Pennsylvania.
I knew that this is where I would find answers, so I sat down for a straight-shooting interview with Russell Wilson, one of the Gentlemen's finest. Read on for that interview.