Fall 2018

August 21 - Move into campus housing

August 22-27 - mandatory New Student Orientation (NSO) (a detailed calendar will be sent to you closer to arrival)*

August 28 - First Day of Classes

December 10 - Last Day of Classes

December 13-20 - Final Exams

Spring 2019

January 11 - Move into campus housing (Date to be confirmed)

January 13-14 - mandatory Exchange Student Orientation (ESO)*

January 15 - First Day of Classes

May 1 - Last Day of Classes

May 6-14 -Final Exams

See the Complete Academic Calendar for Information on Breaks, etc.

* NSO is mandatory for students arriving in the fall; ESO is mandatory for students arriving in the spring.

Flights

It is best to fly directly to the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Getting to Campus

The easiest way to get to campus from the airport is by taxi, Uber, or Lyft. It is always a good idea to check with your driver to make sure that he is able to accept them before leaving the airport.

Rail service from the airport to University City is also possible, however this will also involve a walk to check in to your housing, or a short taxi ride. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also avaliable.

All exchange students should arrange travel to arrive at Penn in time for the Exchange Student Orientation (NSO/ESO). 

In the fall semester, new exchange students participate in New Student Orientation in conjunction with new Penn students. In the spring semester, new exchange students participate in Exchange Student Orientation which is specific to new exchange students. 

In the fall, New Student Orientation (NSO) is a five day-long orientation designed to acquaint new students with each other and with Penn. It includes advising on course registration, academic tips to help you succeed in the classroom, an exploration of the campus resources as well as fun opportunities to socialize with other new students. This orientation is run by Penn NSO. Each student is charged approximately $325 to their bursar account for participation in this mandatory orientation. The fee covers meals during orientation and access to orientation activities offered by Penn Abroad and Penn NSO.

For more information on the NSO and dates, please visit the NSO webpage here: https://secure.www.upenn.edu/nso/.

If you are starting your studies in the Spring, you will attend the Exchange Student Orientation (ESO) which lasts two days. It includes registering for classes, academic tips to help you succeed in the classroom, an exploration of the campus resources as well as fun opportunities to socialize with other new students. There is no charge for this orientation.

All exchange students are required to report to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) for a mandatory new student arrival information and immigration documents review & presentation. This mandatory Immigration Check-In has been built into your orientation schedule. More information can be found here: http://global.upenn.edu/isss/orientation.

Living On Campus

All exchange students are required to live on-campus. Living on-campus gives exchange students a true taste of American university life and offers greater exposure to American students.  On-campus housing offers a furnished residence close to campus in a reasonably secure environment. People new to Philadelphia and attending the University for a short period of time often prefer to live in University housing for safety reasons and the opportunity to meet other students. All rooms and apartments are furnished, but you will have to provide sheets and towels and necessary utensils should you have a kitchen. Your housing bill will be charged to your Penn account. Possible room types include single, double and triple rooms, as well as one to four bedroom apartments.

More information about Penn On-Campus Housing can be found here: http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/residential-services/applications-a-assignments/new-undergraduate-students/exchange-students.html

You will have an academic advisor in your undergraduate school at Penn.  If you are unsure who your academic advisor is, contact exchangestudents@upenn.edu. This person is usually not assigned until approximately one month before arrival.

Each undergraduate school has a different method to set up email. You will need to use your PennKey login to create an email account through your appropriate school. To setup your Penn email, visit this page: https://www.campusexpress.upenn.edu/email.jsp. 

NSO/ESO are mandatory for all exchange students.  Students are only excused from NSO/ESO for academic reasons. Internships are not considered academic reasons.  If you have any questions, please contact exchangestudents@upenn.edu. 

Within 7-10 business days following your acceptance, your PennKey setup code is usually generated and emailed to you from another office at Penn.  Unfortunately, Penn Abroad does not control that process and cannot help with checking your setup code. Please check the spam or junk filter on your email account to see if it was filtered accidentally.

Please visit this page for common PennKey Registration Problems: http://www.upenn.edu/computing/pennkey/help/problems.html

If your PennKey registration still does not work, you will need to contact the PennKey Office directly by calling +1-215-573-4778 or by emailing help@isc.upenn.edu.  

You can find all of the information about paying your Penn bill, including forms of payment that are accepted, on the SFS website.