Intercultural Leadership Program

Fostering a community of leaders ready to pursue their passions, build valuable connections and relationships, and make a lasting impact at Penn and beyond.

About the Intercultural Leadership Program

Penn’s Intercultural Leadership Program fosters a community of leaders who are ready to pursue their passions, build valuable connections and relationships, and make a lasting impact at Penn and beyond.

Every year students, both undergraduate and graduate, are invited to be part of the Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP). Established in 2008, this program enables students to learn more about themselves and communities different from their own and build foundational skills to become effective intercultural leaders.

Apply to Join ILP!

The application cycle for ILP alumni to become a 2025 Student Leader is now closed.

Applications to join the 2025 program from September 5 to 7 will open in August and are open to new undergraduate and graduate/professional students, both international and American. Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply.

“The Intercultural Leadership Program prepares Penn students to become leaders in addressing a broad range of global issues. ILP provided me with the tools, knowledge, and community to make a positive impact within the Graduate School of Education (GSE). My intercultural involvement and development ranges from starting a student organization at GSE dedicated to cultural exchange and awareness to developing programming to better support international students.

After ILP, I feel more prepared academically and professionally to succeed in a globalized and interconnected world.“

Evan Black

M.S.ED. IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION 

Program Overview

The program is offered as a weekend retreat, typically at the start of the academic year. Through a series of activities, simulations, and themed discussions, students gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationship with others, and the role of intercultural communication in leadership in global contexts, among members of a global community.  

Some major themes of the Intercultural Leadership Program include: 

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

Eligibility and Requirements  

To apply, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. You must be a first-year undergraduate or graduate Penn student. Transfer students in their first year at Penn are also eligible. All international and domestic first-year and new transfer students are welcome to apply.
  2. You must be available and commit to participate in the entire in-person program. A typical weekend retreat agenda is as follows:
    • Friday
      • Evening: Participants will gather at the ISSS Office building (3935 Walnut Street) before departure. Together, the group will travel to the off-site location for a two-night stay, from Friday night to Sunday.
      • Destination: 2025 ILP will take place at St. Raphaela Center (616 Coopertown Rd, Haverford, PA 19041).
    • Saturday
      • All Day: The program will take place over the course of the entire day and will include activities, simulations, and themed discussions.
    • Sunday
      • Morning: Additional activities and leadership sessions will take place throughout the morning.
      • Afternoon: We will return to campus in the afternoon by approximately 5:00PM.  

Application & Selection Process  

We invite you to apply to the next cycle of the Penn Intercultural Leadership Program in August 2025.

PLEASE READ:

  • Please be sure that you can commit the time and attend all mandatory program sessions (noted above) before submitting your application. 
  • A $30 fee will be charged to your student account if you confirm attendance but do not fully participate in the program. 

How are participants selected?

  • Participants are selected from a pool of incoming undergraduate and graduate student applicants, both international and U.S. students. 
  • Our ideal participant is open and committed to learning the skills of intercultural leadership and motivated to share what you learn with your peers. 

Key Dates:

Student Leader Application Opening Date: March 4, 2025
Student Leader Application Closing Date: March 25, 2025
Student Leader Announcement Date: April 11, 2025
Participant Application Opening Date: August 11, 2025
Participant Application Closing Date: August 25, 2025
Application Review and Selection: August 26-28, 2025
Participant Selection Announcement Date: August 28, 2025
Participant Acceptance Due Date: August 31, 2025
Program Dates: September 5-7, 2025 (at St. Raphaela Center)

“The Intercultural Leadership Program, one of Penn’s lesser-known gems, is quietly empowering a diverse group of students to lead by example through effective cross-cultural communication…For me as a nurse, the ILP in combination with my master’s education at Penn has uniquely equipped me to go out and tackle the most complex of modern healthcare problems with strong intercultural awareness and understanding.”

David Bendell  

M.S.N. IN NURSING AND HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION 

The ILP Impact

Hear from Penn students and peers about the impact of Penn’s Intercultural Leadership Program.

Shreyas Puranik