Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP)

Winner of the 2018 Models of Excellence Award

Celebrating 15th Anniversary in 2022

ILP 2021 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 16th 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

ILP 2022

ILP 2022 took place from September 9-11, 2022 on campus (Day 1) and at YMCA Camp Tockwogh in Morton, Maryland.

The application deadline for the 2022 Intercultural Leadership Program was August 26, 2022 at 11:59PM.

Apply for ILP 2022

Highlights and Requirements of Participation: ILP 2022

Please note before applying that to be eligible to participate in this program you must meet the following requirements:

You must be a first-year undergraduate or graduate Penn student. Transfer students in their first year at Penn are eligible. All international and domestic first-years and new transfer students are welcome to apply.
You must be available and commit to participate in the entire in-person program:
- Friday, September 9, 5:00 - 7:00pm
  Welcome Session on campus at Perry World House
- Saturday, September 10 (all day; departure time 7:30am from Penn campus)
  Depart for YMCA Camp Tockwogh. The program will take place over the course of the entire day with a stay overnight at Camp Tockwogh.
- Sunday, September 11
  Additional activities and leadership sessions will take place throughout the morning. We will return to campus in the afternoon by approximately 5:00PM.

Application and Selection Process

Apply for ILP 2022 (Deadline: August 26, 2022)

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 next cycle of 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.