Intercultural Leadership Program ILP

Winner of the 2018 Models of Excellence Award

ILP logo

Every year, new international and U.S. Penn students, both undergraduate and graduate, are invited to be part of the Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP). Now approaching its 14th year, this program has been designed to foster a community of intercultural leaders who are ready to take on issues they are passionate about, learn more about themselves and communities different from their own, as well as making a lasting impact at Penn and beyond.

A weekend retreat will take participants through a series of activities, simulations, and discussions that allow for deeper understanding of themselves and how they exist in relation to others.

Some major themes of the Intercultural Leadership Program include:

Intercultural communication and leadership
Exploring identities and self-awareness
Heightening cultural humility
Power and privilege

Please note that due to the pandemic ILP 2020 will not take place during fall semester 2020. Please return to this page for more udpates.

ILP Testimonial - Shreyas Puranik

Highlights and Requirements of Participation

A weekend retreat program starts with a Friday welcome session on campus, 5-7pm.
Saturday - Sunday overnight retreat off campus.
Participate in intercultural activities during the fall semester (to be determined).

Participants take part in a number of different activities such as team-building exercises, simulations, presentations, dialogues, and other activities that will help put your understanding of your worldview into perspective.

Application and Selection Process

If you are open and committed to learning the skills of intercultural leadership and motivated to share what you learn with your peers, we invite you to apply to the Penn Intercultural Leadership Program. Participants are selected from a pool of incoming undergraduate and graduate student applicants, both international and U.S. students.

Please be sure that you can commit the time and attend all of the mandatory program aspects outlined before submitting your application.

Please note: If you are confirmed as a final applicant for ILP, at the time of acceptance there will be a $50 refundable deposit due (cash or check) to secure your spot. The deposit will be refunded after the weekend retreat provided you have attended and completed all required aspects of the program.

Look out for an email notice about ILP in January 2021.