Question 1

Do I need a car?

Accepted Answer

No, not right away. Many people in our community live here for years without one. The CATA bus system covers most of town, and the Blue and White loops downtown are free. What matters most is choosing housing near a bus stop. Groceries and a winter coat are the two things that are hardest without a car — ask us, and someone will drive you.

Question 2

Is there halal food near campus?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are halal carts and restaurants downtown within walking distance of campus, a dedicated halal grocery store in town, and a small home-based halal meat business. Penn State dining has offered halal options in some dining commons in the past — check the Halal Food page and confirm the current locations with Penn State Food Services.

Question 3

Can my spouse work here?

Accepted Answer

It depends entirely on the visa. Many dependent visas do not allow work, and this catches families by surprise. Please talk to Penn State's international student office, and to Penn State's Center for Immigrants' Rights Clinic for free legal help. If your spouse cannot work, the For Families page has groups, classes, and volunteer options that help the days feel full.

Question 4

How do I find an apartment before I arrive?

Accepted Answer

Start with the links on our Housing page — local classifieds, the Penn State off-campus property search, and community Facebook groups. Never send money before someone you trust has seen the place. If you do not have anyone here yet, ask us on the Get Connected page and a community member will look at it for you.

Question 5

Is the mosque within walking distance of campus?

Accepted Answer

The Islamic Society of Central Pennsylvania (the Main Masjid) is at 454 Rolling Ridge Dr, State College, PA 16801, which is a bus ride rather than a short walk from campus. The second mosque, Masjid Al-Awwābīn, is at 709 Ridge Ave, State College, PA 16803 and is closer to the west side of town. For prayers between classes, Penn State has a prayer room with a wudu area in Pasquerilla room 119 and a newer space in Boucke 325H near the HUB.

Question 6

What do I do in my first week?

Accepted Answer

Get your Penn State ID, open a bank account, get a phone plan, start your PA ID paperwork, do a first halal grocery run, and find the mosque. Our Get Started page turns this into a checklist you can tick off as you go.

Question 7

What are the Jummah prayer times?

Accepted Answer

At the masjid there are two Jummah prayers — the first khutbah at 1:30pm and the second at 2:30pm. On campus, the MSA holds Jummah at 1:30pm in the Frizzell Room and the Pods at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. Daily iqama times shift through the year, so check iscpmasjid.com before you set out.

Question 8

Where can I pray on campus between classes?

Accepted Answer

Pasquerilla Spiritual Center room 119 is a dedicated prayer room with a wudu area. Boucke Building room 325H is a newer meditation and prayer space near the HUB and is the easiest one to reach between classes.

Question 9

How cold does the winter get, and what should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Winter here runs from November to March, with snow and temperatures often below freezing. Do not buy a coat before you arrive — a proper insulated winter coat, waterproof boots with grip, gloves, and a hat are all cheaper here, and thrift stores like Goodwill, CentrePeace, and Habitat ReStore carry them. Ask in the community chat before you buy anything new.

Question 10

Is there an Islamic school or weekend classes for my children?

Accepted Answer

The masjid runs weekend Quran and Arabic classes for children through the school year, along with youth programs and family events. Times change each term — the Prayer & Community page has the WhatsApp groups where the schedule is announced, and the For Families page covers schools and childcare.

Question 11

How do I get from the airport when I land?

Accepted Answer

University Park Airport (SCE) is about 15 minutes from downtown. There is the Nittany Airport Shuttle, taxis, Uber, and Lyft. If you are arriving for the first time and tell us your flight in advance through the Get Connected page, a community volunteer will usually meet you and help with your bags.

Question 12

How do I get a phone number and internet set up?

Accepted Answer

Most newcomers start with a prepaid SIM from a downtown carrier store — bring your passport. Home internet takes a few days to schedule, so book the installation as soon as you sign your lease. Ask your landlord which provider serves your building before you order.

Question 13

Do I need a Pennsylvania ID or driver's licence?

Accepted Answer

You do not need one to live here, but it makes daily life easier and you will need it if you plan to drive. Start with the PennDOT paperwork early, as it depends on your immigration documents. The Living Here page lists the local government offices, including the DMV and the Social Security office.

Question 14

Is it safe to wear hijab here?

Accepted Answer

Yes. State College is a university town with a visible and long-established Muslim community, and hijab is a normal sight downtown and on campus. If anything ever does happen, tell us — Penn State and the Borough both take reports seriously, and you will not have to handle it alone.

Question 15

How do I meet people if I arrive alone?

Accepted Answer

Go to one Jummah and one MSA or community event in your first two weeks — that is the single fastest thing you can do. Join the WhatsApp groups on the Prayer & Community page, and ask us on Get Connected to introduce you to a mentor family who lives near you.

Question 16

How much should I expect to pay in rent for an apartment?

Accepted Answer

Rents in State College are higher than in much of Pennsylvania because of student demand. A room in a shared student apartment is the cheapest option, a one-bedroom costs more, and a two- or three-bedroom for a family costs more again. Prices also swing with distance from campus — a few bus stops out is usually noticeably cheaper. Ask in the community groups what people are actually paying this year before you sign anything, and budget separately for utilities, internet, and a security deposit of roughly one month's rent.

Question 17

Can I find an apartment before I arrive, or do I need to be here in person?

Accepted Answer

You can sign before you arrive, and many people do — but never send money for a place nobody you trust has seen. Student leases in particular are often signed six to nine months ahead, so start early. If you have no one here yet, ask us on the Get Connected page and a community member will visit the apartment and tell you honestly what it looks like.

Question 18

What should I check before I sign a lease?

Accepted Answer

Check the total monthly cost including utilities, whether the lease covers the whole apartment or only your room, the length of the term and any early-exit penalty, the deposit amount and when it is returned, the rules on guests and subletting, and how close the nearest bus stop is. Photograph any existing damage on the day you move in, and get anything the landlord promises in writing.

Question 19

Can my children attend public school for free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Children living in the district attend the State College Area School District at no cost. Enroll through the district office and bring your lease or proof of address, your children's passports or birth certificates, immunization records, and any previous school records. Free English-language support is available for students who need it.

Question 20

Is childcare available nearby?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though good places fill early — start looking as soon as you know your dates. There are daycare centers and preschools around town, Penn State has childcare options for affiliated families, and some families in the community share babysitting between them. The For Families page has the details, and the sisters' groups are the best place to ask for a personal recommendation.

Question 21

Are there activities for mothers and children during the week?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The One Hand Women's Society and the sisters' circles run gatherings, halaqas, and family events through the year, and the masjid holds weekend classes for children. Schlow Library also runs free story times and play sessions that many of our families use. Join the sisters' WhatsApp group on the Prayer & Community page to see what is on this month.

Question 22

Will my employer or professors accommodate prayer times?

Accepted Answer

Almost always, yes. Penn State and most local employers are used to Muslim students and staff, and a short prayer break is a normal request. Ask early and directly — for classes that clash with Jummah, email the professor at the start of the semester. The campus prayer rooms in Pasquerilla 119 and Boucke 325H make it easy to pray and get back within a break.

Question 23

What if my English isn't strong yet?

Accepted Answer

You will manage, and you will not be the first. There are free adult English classes in town through the Mid-State Literacy Council and other local groups, and Penn State has language support for students. In the meantime our community speaks Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Bengali, Farsi, Malay and more — tell us your language on the Get Connected page and we will match you with someone who can come along to appointments.

Question 24

What should I do if someone treats me badly because I am Muslim?

Accepted Answer

Tell someone — do not carry it alone. On campus, report it to Penn State's Office of Educational Equity or the Bias Response team; in town, the Borough police take reports seriously. Then message us on Get Connected. Someone from the community will sit with you, help you write the report, and go with you if you want.

Questions we answer every semester

Arriving & first steps

Prayer & community

Halal food & getting around

Housing

Family & work

Safety & belonging