All Forerunner 2024 sessions are now complete - welcome to campus! Forerunner

Your Penn life begins at...

2023 Forerunner Logo

 

 

2024 Forerunner Video
2024 Forerunner Promotional Video
What is Forerunner?

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 and Shanghai), 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 included six sessions:

  • Forerunner in South America was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil (June 6, 2024)
     
  • Forerunner in Southeast Asia was held in Singapore, Singapore (June 29, 2024)
     
  • Forerunner in India was held in Mumbai, India (July 6, 2024)
     
  • Forerunner in China was held in Shanghai, China (July 13, 2024)
     
  • Forerunner Global was held virtually (August 1-2, 2024, 9-11AM Eastern Time each day)
     
  • Forerunner Africa was held at Perry World House on Penn's Campus (August 22, 2024)

Learn more below! 

Forerunner Global 2024
Virtual | August 1-2, 2024
Forerunner Global 2024

On August 1 and 2, 2024, Forerunner Global, a virtual event, introduced 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 learned about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You also had the opportunity to ask your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students. 

Watch our Undergraduate Student Support Panel Segment

Forerunner South America
Sao Paulo, Brazil | June 6, 2024
Forerunner in South America 2024

On June 6, 2024, we held our Forerunner in South America in Sao Paulo, Brazil! New international students and their parents from Brazil and other countries in the region were invited to attend this full-day event. Attendees had the opportunity to start building their Penn network and pose any of their questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.

Forerunner 2024 singapore
Singapore, Singapore | June 29, 2024
Forerunner in Southeast Asia 2024

On June 29, 2024, we held hold our Forerunner in Southeast Asia in Singapore, Singapore! New international students and their parents from Singapore and other countries in the region were invited to attend this full-day event. They had the opportunity to start building their Penn network and pose questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.

Forerunner India 2024
Mumbai, India | July 6, 2024
Forerunner in India 2024

On July 6, 2024, the Forerunner team arrived in Mumbai for the eighth edition of Forerunner in India! New international students and their parents from India were invited to attend this full-day event. They had the opportunity to start building their Penn network and posed questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.

Forerunner China 2024
Shanghai, China | July 13, 2024
Forerunner in China 2024

On July 13, 2024, we arrived in Shanghai to hold the 2024 Forerunner in China. Penn staff, faculty, current students, and alumni joined incoming students and their parents from all over China to learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! They also had the opportunity to start building their Penn network and posed directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.

Forerunner Africa 2024 Flyer
UPenn's Campus | August 22, 2024
Forerunner Africa 2024

On August 22, 2024, we hosted the 2024 Forerunner Africa at the Perry World House (3803 Locust Walk) on Penn's Campus. You joined 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 also had the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.

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.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

 

Assembly of International students logo Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Logo Penn Engineering Logo Perry World House logo
Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL) Logo Weingarten Learning Resource Center Logo Wellness at Penn logo Penn Division of Public Safety
Wharton School of Business Logo Campus Health Logo Undergraduate Assembly Logo Penn GSE Logo
Penn School of Social Police and Practice Logo ISAB Logo Penn School of Arts and Sciences Logo Penn Residential Services Logo
Penn SFRS Logo

 

GAPSA logo upenn Office of the Vice Provost for Education Penn Global Vertical logo