They leave home just as any other college student, but they can't return every weekend.

For them, home is a long plane ride away.

Social Security cards, freedom to work wherever a job is found and early registration for fall classes are some of the things that are taken for granted by most Penn State students. Yet, these are just some of the challenges facing international students.

While most students were still working their summer jobs, new international students checked into their fall orientation, which addressed all of the preceding items and more, such as obtaining a driver's license.

"It's a little bit of a hassle. Plus you have to get a Social Security card," said Linda Keefer, assistant to the director of the University Office of International Programs.

She added that this is only one troubling issue in the lives of international students. Money, as most college students can vouch for, is always a problem.

Keefer said some students are government sponsored. While certain students can work off campus, she said most are restricted to on-campus jobs.

Also, although other new students usually register for their fall classes before arriving on campus, new international students must wait until they arrive, which, for them, is early in August — putting them at a disadvantage for finding the classes they need.

While there are many obstacles, there are also many resources on campus that are set up to help international students make an easy adjustment to the Penn State and State College environments.

Nationality clubs such as the African Student Association, Friends of Brazil and the Indonesian Student Association appeal to specific students. Other organizations, such as the International Student Council, International Ministries and the International Hospitality Council, seek out international students as a whole, regardless of their country of origin.

"We have a speakers program. (We go to) mostly elementary schools all over the county. We get a lot of invitations from teachers around," said Nan Uhl, executive director of the International Hospitality Council. Last year, she added, speakers gave presentations to more than 3,000 students about their individual cultures.

More than 100 countries are represented by international students at Penn State, the five largest country groups being China, India, Korea, Taiwan and Turkey. The first four countries have remained in the top positions, with Turkey replacing Japan last year. The figures for this year are unavailable.

A strong research university, it is not surprising that the College of Engineering drew in 30 percent of students followed by Eberly College of Science at 9 percent and The Smeal College of Business Administration also at 9 percent.