Social Activities?

What is the most important thing in your current life? If someone asks me this question, I would say without hesitation that pursuing my studies is the most important. It was exactly ten years ago that I decided to study in the United States for my Ph.D. degree. I am really happy that one of my long-term plans eventually came true in Happy Valley, a nickname of State College which is a peaceful college town 6,830 miles away from my hometown in a beeline over the Pacific.

The second important thing of my life here is to have a faith. I am basically a sociable person, so I love to get to know warm people and have good relations with them. Though I did not have any religious belief before coming to Penn State, I am trying to be a Christian and attending a Sunday service at Youngkwang Korean Presbyterian Church these days where I take a rest from the chaos of my daily life. (I call it my mental relaxation.) This is my one and only social activity outside of schoolwork now.

Virtuous People of Youngkwang Korean Presbyterian Church

Honestly, my devotion to the faith is still minimal; I cannot help giving my schoolwork precedence to have my real dreams come true. Nonetheless, I like their willingness to be right, thankful and considerate, and I would love to be part of them. It is interesting that more than half of the members are Penn State students. For this reason, it is easier to share the common hardships we often face with as international students living apart from our families. For example, we have a cell meeting once a week where we cook and have dinner together at home, carefully listen to others' anguish, and pray for their goodness with all our whole hearts. Being a graduate student is very stressful by nature, and I personally believe that having such virtuous people is one of the most advisable things to pursue not only successful graduate studies but a wonderful human life. It is all thanks to them that my life in Happy Valley is really happy.

One more social activity that I hope to join in the near future is International Coffee Hour, which is hosted by International Student Services at Penn State, and is held every Thursday, from 15:30 to 17:00, in 410 Boucke Building. It is a place for students to get together and have various coffees, teas and cookies, and take a little break from busy schoolwork. The main reason for my plan to join this is to make friends from all around the world; people I meet in my church-related activities are limited to those from South Korea. If you would like to join the Coffee Hour with me, or if you have been already participating, please let me know, and I will be more than happy to be with you. 

International Coffee Hour at Penn State