June 6, 2024 (Forerunner in Brazil) | June 29, 2024 (Forerunner in Singapore) | July 6, 2024 (Forerunner in India) | July 13, 2024 (Forerunner in China) | August 1-2, 2024 (Forerunner Global) | August 22, 2024 (Forerunner Africa) Forerunner
Your Penn life begins at...
Spearheaded by Penn Global International Student and Scholar Services, Forerunner was established in 2015 as a way to welcome new international students before they embark on their journey to Penn's campus.
The initiative has involved a diverse group of Penn stakeholders and is a unique opportunity for new members of Penn's global community to connect with each other and engage with current students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. For the past 10 years, Forerunner has served over 1,500 international students and parents from around the world, helping them feel a greater sense of belongingness, connection, adjustment, and leadership to kick off their Penn journeys. Many Forerunner participants go on to join the Forerunner Student Leadership team to help the next generation of new international students.
Since 2015, Forerunner has served as a bridge to life at Penn for students from China in Beijing), India (in New Delhi and Mumbai), Africa (on Penn's campus), the Middle East/North African region (in Dubai, United Arab Emirates) and worldwide (online).
Forerunner 2024 includes six sessions:
- Forerunner in South America will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil (June 6, 2024)
- Forerunner in Southeast Asia will be held in Singapore, Singapore (June 29, 2024)
- Forerunner in India in Mumbai, India (July 6, 2024), Forerunner in China in Shanghai, China (July 13, 2024)
- Forerunner Global virtually (August 1-2, 2024, 9-11AM Eastern Time each day)
- Forerunner Africa at Perry World House on Penn's Campus (August 22, 2024)
Learn more below!
On June 6, 2024, we will hold our Forerunner in South America in Sao Paulo, Brazil! New international students and their parents from Brazil and other countries in the region are invited to attend this full-day event. You'll have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
On June 29, 2024, we will hold our Forerunner in Southeast Asia in Singapore, Singapore! New international students and their parents from Singapore and other countries in the region are invited to attend this full-day event. You'll have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
On July 6, 2024, the Forerunner team will arrive in Mumbai for the seventh edition of Forerunner in India! New international students and their parents from India are invited to attend this full-day event. You'll have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
On July 13, 2024, we will arrive in Shanghai to hold the 2024 Forerunner in China. Join Penn staff, faculty, current students, alumni, and fellow incoming students and their parents from all over China to learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You'll also have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students. Program starts at 9:30AM.
On August 1 and 2, 2024, Forerunner Global, a virtual event, will introduce you to your life at Penn. Join Penn staff, faculty, current students, and fellow incoming students from around the world for a two-day program during which you'll learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You'll have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
Registration Coming Soon
On August 22, 2024, we host the 2024 Forerunner Africa at the Perry World House (3803 Locust Walk) on Penn's Campus. Join Penn staff, faculty, current students, alumni, and fellow incoming students from Africa to learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You'll also have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
Registration Coming Soon
Past Forerunners
Since 2015, Forerunner has taken place in Beijing (Forerunner China), New Delhi (Forerunner India), and on Penn's campus (Forerunner Africa). In 2020, the Forerunner team was recognized as an honorable mention for Penn's Models of Excellence award for its outstanding work in bringing the world to Penn and Penn to the world.
While travel restrictions related to COVID-19 prevented us from meeting our incoming international students in person for Forerunner in 2020 and 2021, we were excited for the opportunity to welcome our new students and their families from all around the planet with our virtual Forerunner Global!
Learn more about past Forerunners in the below videos and recordings.
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Office of the Vice Provost for Education | 
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