June 6, 2023 (Forerunner in Brazil) | July 8, 2023 (Forerunner in India) | July 15, 2023 (Forerunner in China) | August 3-4, 2023 (Forerunner Global) | August 24, 2023 (Forerunner Africa) Forerunner
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Spearheaded by Penn Global International Student and Scholar Services, Forerunner was established in 2015 as a way to welcome new international students before they embark on their journey to Penn's campus.
The initiative has involved a diverse group of Penn stakeholders and is a unique opportunity for new members of Penn's global community to connect with each other and engage with current students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. For the past 9 years, Forerunner has served over 1,500 international students and parents from around the world, helping them feel a greater sense of belongingness, connection, adjustment, and leadership to kick off their Penn journeys. Many Forerunner participants go on to join the Forerunner Student Leadership team to help the next generation of new international students.
Since 2015, Forerunner has served as a bridge to life at Penn for students from China in Beijing), India (in New Delhi and Mumbai), Africa (on Penn's campus), the Middle East/North African region (in Dubai, United Arab Emirates) and worldwide (online).
Forerunner 2023 includes five sessions: Forerunner in Brazil will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil (June 6, 2023), Forerunner in India in New Delhi, India (July 8, 2023), Forerunner in China in Beijing, China (July 15, 2023), Forerunner Global virtually (August 3-4, 2023, 9-11AM Eastern Time each day), and Forerunner in Africa at Perry World House on UPenn campus (August 24, 2023). Learn more below!

On June 6, 2023, we will hold the first-ever Forerunner in Brazil in Sao Paulo, Brazil! New international students and their parents from Brazil and other countries in the region are invited to attend this full-day event. You'll have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
Registration Now Closed

On July 8, 2023, the Forerunner team will return to India for the sixth edition of Forerunner in India! In 2022, we were hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Institute for the Advanced Study of India (UPIASI) at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi and joined by over 90 students and parents from across India. Program starts at 9:30AM.
View Photos from Forerunner India 2022
Registration Now Closed

On July 15, 2023, we will return to Beijing to hold the 2023 Forerunner in China. Join Penn staff, faculty, current students, alumni, and fellow incoming students and their parents from all over China to learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You'll also have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students. Program starts at 9:30AM.
Registration Now Closed.

On August 3 and 4, 2023, Forerunner Global, a virtual event, will introduce you to your life at Penn. Join Penn staff, faculty, current students, and fellow incoming students from around the world for a two-day program during which you'll learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You'll have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
Registration Now Closed.

On August 24, 2023, we host the 2023 Forerunner in Africa at the Perry World House (3803 Locust Walk) on Penn's Campus. Join Penn staff, faculty, current students, alumni, and fellow incoming students from Africa to learn about some of the many resources Penn has to offer! You'll also have the opportunity to start building your Penn network and pose any of your questions directly to Penn staff, faculty, and students.
Registration Now Closed.
Past Forerunners
Since 2015, Forerunner has taken place in Beijing (Forerunner China), New Delhi (Forerunner India), and on Penn's campus (Forerunner Africa). In 2020, the Forerunner team was recognized as an honorable mention for Penn's Models of Excellence award for its outstanding work in bringing the world to Penn and Penn to the world.
While travel restrictions related to COVID-19 prevented us from meeting our incoming international students in person for Forerunner in 2020 and 2021, we were excited for the opportunity to welcome our new students and their families from all around the planet with our virtual Forerunner Global!
Learn more about past Forerunners in the below videos and recordings.
In August 2023, we held an immersive two-day virtual event, Forerunner Global 2023! The recordings are available at the link below.
In July 2021, we held Forerunner Global virtually for the second year in a row! The recordings are available at the link below.
In July 2020, hundreds of students and families from all over the world for our first-ever virtual Forerunner! The recordings are available at the link below. Please note that some of the information contained in the videos may now be outdated due to the evolving situation with COVID-19.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
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