Recommended Apartment Complexes
Recommended Airports
New York - JFK Airport
There are several ways to get to state college. The first option is to catch a direct Kuwait Airways trip from Kuwait to New York. You can rent a car in New York and drive to State College. It takes 4 hours by car. You can also take a bus (MegaBus, GoTo Bus Company & Greyhound) which drops near to State Collage downtown, which takes about the same amount of time.
Washington DC - Dulles International Airport / Philadelphia International Airport
Another option is to take a flight to Washington DC and then drive to State College.
Take a domestic flight
State College Airport has direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport, which is close to JFK (New York Airport); the flight takes about an hour and a half. There are also flights from Washington DC and Philadelphia with similar travel durations.
Mosque and Prayers
The Islamic Society of Central Pennsylvania (click here) does all five prayers on time in JAMAAH and has two Friday prayers throughout the year, the first at 1:30PM and the second at 2:30PM.
If you are on campus and need to pray. there is a designated area in Pasquerilla Spiritual centre (click here). At 1:30PM for Fall and Spring there is an on campus Friday prayer.
Restaurants (HALAL)
India Pavilion
Karma (Indian restaurant)
Penn Pide (Iraqi restaurant)
Underground Burger & Crepe
Sher Halal Gyro
Yallah Taco
Penn Kebab
Pita Cabana
Yallah Burrito Company
Mezeh
Halal Markets
State College International Market.
Global Foods (Mediterranean Grocery).
Penn Halal International Market.
Medical Providers
University Health Services - on campus
Mount Nittany Medical Center
Geisinger Medical Group
MedExpress urgent care
Rite Aid
Aspen Dental - Dentistry
Transportation
Your first option and most likely the cheapest and most reliable is the CATA bus system. CATA bus stops are located all over state college and even in places on campus and every bus ride costs $1.75 if paying by cash or through the use of tokens that can be purchased at any dorms’ commons office or at the information and ticket desk at the hub. CATA card memberships can also be purchased through their office located on E Beaver Ave, although cards are usually distributed to residents of multiple living communities such as The Heights, The Retreat, Copper Beech or most of the other living options. CATA bus arrival and departure times can be viewed through the use of their app, available on the App store and Google Play Store under the name CATA.
Hotels
Hyatt Place State College
The Penn Stater Hotel
Graduate State College
Ramada by Wyndham State College
SpringHill Suites by Marriott State College
Hilton Garden Inn State College
Country Inn & Suites bu Raddison, State College
Toftrees Golf Resort
Car Rental
Hertz Car Rental - State College - Penn State Hertz Beaver HLE
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Budget Car Rental
National Car Rental
Alamo Rent A Car
America’s airports requirements
On the day of your arrival to the United States, you will have to do a screening in immigration and customs, which will be a part of your travels everyone you enter America. This step will require you to have:
1- A valid US visa.
2- A passport.
3- A valid and signed I-20 form (the signature most not be older than a year).
Furthermore, you will need to be able to answer some questions regarding your life in the USA, such as where you study, where you live, and your major.
In the case that border control may find any issues with your documents, you will be moved to a room where they will further look into your files. Please do not be nervous as this is nothing to worry about, and you will able to exit once your information is verified.
Driver’s license process
Transportation is a great way of easing your life as a student and it helps with time management. Thus, as a student you might find the need to acquire a driver’s license. It is also important to note that a driver’s license is an ID which can be used instead of carrying your passport around. To acquire a Driver’s license, you will need to follow these steps and visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):
1- Study the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual.
2- Conduct a physical test which can be done by a physician from testing centers or hospitals, and fill the DL-180 form.
3- Visit a DMV center with your DL-180 form, 2 proofs of residency, a Social Security Number Rejection form, and an ID.
4- Take your eye screening and knowledge test at the DMV (Up to this point you will also be handed a learner’s permit).
5- After a set amount of time and training you may come back to the DMV after scheduling a driving test to take your test.
Please note that you will need to bring a valid learner’s permit, a proof of vehicle insurance, and a proof of vehicle registration to your road test.
Furthermore, it is important to state that your Kuwaiti Driver’s license is valid for use for a year after you come to the Us.
Phone and internet providers
As a student studying in the United States, you will need to buy a phone number along with an internet service, which is essential to your everyday life and your studies. Acquiring this is quite simple as you only need to visit one of the phone providers in your area (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.). Please remember to bring your ID with you at the phone provider’s store and make sure to chose your plan wisely.
It is also important to note that you may set up an E-SIM card, which will leave your physical SIM card slot available. That way you may use both your American number and your Kuwait SIM card.