International Student Orientation Events

Welcome!

DEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS,

Congratulations on your outstanding achievement in securing admission to the University of Pennsylvania! We are thrilled to welcome you and delighted to have such an exceptional group of international students joining our vibrant campus community. Wherever you’re coming from, you bring a wealth of cultural richness and intellectual strength that will greatly enrich the Penn experience for everyone.

Your journey at Penn promises to be unforgettable—steeped in history and tradition, filled with world-class academic opportunities, and complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities. But beyond the classroom, it’s the everyday moments that will truly define your Penn experience: taking your first SEPTA ride into Center City, walking down Locust Walk as it sparkles with winter lights, or sharing a Thanksgiving meal and stories with your roommates and professors.

Along the way, you’ll form deep and lasting connections with peers who will become lifelong friends. Penn is more than a university—it will become your home away from home. With many international and cultural performing arts groups and student organizations, you’ll find your passions nurtured and your talents celebrated in this close-knit community.

To support your transition and success, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team, along with many campus partners, is here to assist you every step of the way—from visa guidance and tax support to navigating unexpected challenges.

Additionally, the International Student Table for Advocacy and Relations (ISTAR)—which includes leaders from the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), the Assembly of International Students (AIS), the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), and the Undergraduate Assembly (UA) —works closely with Penn administrators to advocate for your needs and foster a supportive and inclusive campus environment.

As you embark on this exciting new chapter, rest assured that we have thoughtfully designed orientation programs to help you acclimate to Penn, connect with your peers, and explore the many resources available to you.

Your time at Penn will be transformative, opening doors to new perspectives, experiences, and opportunities that will shape your future in meaningful ways. We can’t wait to welcome you in person and begin this journey together.

Once again, congratulations—and we look forward to meeting you during International Student Orientation!

With warm regards,

**Dr. Rodolfo “Rudie” Altamirano**

Executive Director
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Executive Director
Immigration Services and Integration Programs

2026 ISO Dates: August 17 – August 21 (details will be released in June)

Frequently Asked Questions

International Student Orientation (ISO) is a series of on-campus programs and events hosted by Penn Global International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to support new international students—both undergraduate and graduate/professional—as they transition to life at Penn.

ISO includes welcome events and workshops on topics such as immigration essentials, campus resources, health and wellness, intercultural communication, career and work authorization, as well as opportunities to connect with fellow international students and the broader Penn community.

2026 ISO Dates: August 17–21
More detailed information and the full schedule will be released in June.

ISO (International Student Orientation) is coordinated by ISSS in partnership with the Office of New Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives (NSOAI), Assembly of International Students (AIS), Division of Public Safety, Wellness, Career Services, and other campus resource centers. It is designed specifically for new international students and covers topics unique to their experience, including F-1/J-1 requirements, arrival check-in, safety guidance, immunization requirements, and integration resources.

NSO (New Student Orientation) is planned and executed by the NSOAI Office for all incoming undergraduate students and their families and focuses on general academic and campus life. Please refer to the NSO website for more information.

The Graduate Student Center (GSC) hosts university-wide orientation events for new graduate and professional students. International graduate and professional students can find additional information on GSC website.

There is one mandatory session—the ISSS Information Session (date/time TBD)—for all new undergraduate international students.

All other ISO events (e.g., resource fairs, social receptions, and workshops) are optional but strongly encouraged. These programs provide valuable opportunities to connect with peers and learn about campus resources before the academic year begins.

All sessions and deadlines will be clearly indicated in the ISO schedule shared with students.

An “international student” is defined as a student holding an F-1 or J-1 visa.

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but have lived or studied abroad are also warmly welcome to attend ISO and participate in ISSS programs. ISO is designed to support anyone navigating a cross-cultural transition.

You will not miss major required programming. Mandatory information sessions are typically not scheduled on Monday, so students who arrive early are still able to attend the mandatory ISSS Info session.

If your pre-orientation program takes place on campus, we encourage you to speak with your program coordinator about attending the mandatory information session. If you will be off campus and not returning until Wednesday, please reach out to ISSS to schedule a meeting with your assigned advisor.

Yes—families are welcome at select ISO events.

The Penn Parents Office, in partnership with ISSS, hosts a Welcome Reception for parents and family members of new international undergraduate students. This event provides an opportunity to meet other families and hear from University leadership and the president of AIS.

Families may also attend NSO programming; please refer to the NSO website for a full schedule.
Please note that certain ISO sessions—such as mandatory sessions and immigration-related programming—are designed specifically for students and should not be attended in place of the student.

Yes. ISSS check-in and ISO requirements apply to all students beginning or resuming studies at Penn with a new I-20 or DS-2019. This includes transfer students, students returning from leave, exchange students, and those entering a new degree program.

If you are unsure whether ISO applies to you, please contact ISSS at 215-898-4661 or submit your question here:
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/faqs/

ISO includes events tailored separately for undergraduate and graduate/professional students (e.g., undergraduate welcome picnic vs. graduate welcome reception).

There is no mandatory ISO session for graduate students, though all workshops are open to both undergraduate and graduate participants.

Graduate and professional students should also review GSC programming and check with their school or department for additional orientation activities.