Erik Suarez, a Venezuela native, is the first Student Government Association senator representing the flourishing international community at Penn State Abington campus, writes Regina Broscius for the Penn State News. 

Suarez left his home country mired in an economic and humanitarian crisis as a teenager and finished high school in Peru.

He enrolled at Penn State Abington, where he lobbied for the creation of the position of a senator to represent international students.

Currently more than 500 out of the roughly 3,700 students at Abington come from outside the United States.

“I represent them for current issues on campus and speak up for their experiences, issues, and problems,” he said. “I am trying to get international students more involved to stand up and raise our voice.”

Suarez also serves on SGA’s Governmental Affairs Committee, which helps him understand and learn about the American system.

In the future, the sophomore plans to double major in economics and international politics and to work aiding others and reducing conflict.

“I’m very interested in going back home to Venezuela and getting into politics there,” he said.

Read more about Erik Suarez at the Penn State News by clicking here. 

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