Madan Mohan Singh from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
and Wasinder Mokha, my classmate for one year at Khalsa College,
Amritsar. Harbhajan Singh cut his hair at State College. The
students whom one taught were very understanding considering
that one was from a relatively unknown and developing country.
No discrimination was felt in renting accommodation. The faculty
was very supportive. In fact they were encouraging enough
to say that if Swarn wanted to return at any time, they would
have a position available - very generous! Although Assistantship
did not pay much but was sufficient to live in shared accommodation
and be able to buy and run a car. In Easter break Swarn went
to Fort Lauderdale, Fl., a popular hangout out for students
from all over USA at Easter. It was a wild place for a few
days; a street was cordoned off for dancing. Students would
hire one room in a hotel and others would just sleep on the
beach using the hotel bathroom. There were enough places which
offered unlimited food or beer at reasonable prices. When
one hotel ran out of beer, students threw the chairs into
the sea. Next day, the Restaurant had a banner apologizing
and offering the deal again. All was in good cheer - truly
American spirit of the era.
Swarn in his office at Penn State University - Office
was shared with other faculty
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS GET-TOGETHER AT THE UNIVERSITY
There were over 200 international students including 40 Indians
(4 Sikhs). The University had an International Students Dept
to help them. Majority of the overseas students especially
Indians were in Graduate School...
