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 2007, this program enables students to learn more about themselves and communities different from their own and build foundational skills to become effective intercultural leaders.
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:
- 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.
- You must be available and commit to participate in the entire in-person program. A typical weekend retreat agenda is as follows:
- Friday
- Afternoon: ILP participants will meet up at 3935 Walnut Street and head over to the venue.
- Evening: ILP kicks off at the venue.
- Saturday
- All day activities.
- 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.
- Friday
Application & Selection Process
We invite you to apply to the next cycle of the Penn Intercultural Leadership Program in July 2026.
PLEASE READ:
- Please be sure that you can commit the time and attend all mandatory program sessions (noted above) before submitting your application.
- A $50 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: TBA
Student Leader Application Closing Date: TBA
Student Leader Announcement Date: TBA
Participant Application Opening Date: TBA
Participant Application Closing Date: TBA
Application Review and Selection: TBA
Participant Selection Announcement Date: TBA
Participant Acceptance Due Date: TBA
Program Dates: September 10-12, 2027
The ILP Impact
Hear from Penn students and peers about the impact of Penn’s Intercultural Leadership Program.