Bianca Alvarez, an international student from the Philippines, shared her experiences transitioning to Penn State University. She discussed the differences between the education systems, cultural norms, and daily life between the Philippines and the United States. Bianca faced challenges adjusting to the independent living, diverse student population, and academic rigor at Penn State, but she ultimately found a supportive community and opportunities to get involved on campus. She advises other international students to step out of their comfort zones and take advantage of the wide range of resources and experiences available at Penn State.For more information about this collection please visit the Pennsylvania State University international student oral history collection.