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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.