Meet With an Advisor

Not sure what programs we offer or what is the best option for you?

• Attend an event or information session to explore and learn more about the different types of global opportunities available to Penn students. Penn Abroad hosts frequent PA101 sessions throughout the semester to help you learn more and ask questions.
   

• Participate in drop-in hours. This is an opportunity exclusively for students who have not yet selected a program or region of interest. You will be able to learn more and ask questions about a variety of global program options to meet your academic, personal, and professional interests.

Attending a study abroad advising session is required before you can open an application. All students interested in study abroad are welcome to join an advising session.  

Appointments cannot be guaranteed and are based on availability. Appointments fill to capacity quickly, so please plan accordingly and register early. If no appointments are available before your program’s application date, please contact goabroad@upenn.edu. Penn Abroad staff will do their best to accommodate your advising request prior to the deadline, but if no meeting times are available, you will not be eligible to apply for the desired program.   

You are encouraged to attend advising, apply, and fully complete your study abroad application early. The number of spaces available for students to study at each Penn Abroad program varies by location. Penn Abroad will open a maximum of 40 applications per program for each term. Programs will stop accepting new applications once this maximum number has been reached, even if the Penn Abroad deadline has not yet passed. To ensure your application is considered for admission to your desired host program abroad, it is best to start the study abroad process as soon as possible.   

Fall/Year Semester Programs: 

• Advising begins in November of the preceding academic year. 
• Applications are generally due between January and early March (always refer to the program brochure for the exact program deadline). 

Spring Semester Programs: 

• Advising begins in April of the preceding academic year. 
• Applications are generally due between May and early October (always refer to the program brochure for the exact program deadline). 

Summer Term Programs (for Wharton & Engineering students only): 

• Advising begins in November.  
• Applications are due on February 1. 

Accommodations Information

In-person appointments in our office require the use of stairs. For assistance or to request accommodations, please contact goabroad@upenn.edu.

Step 1:

REQUIRED. Attend a group Study Abroad Advising session

• Register on Calendly
  • Fall & Spring Term Programs  
  • Summer Term Programs (for Wharton & Engineering students only) 
• Arrive on time or you will be turned away. Advising lasts approximately one hour. Please plan to attend the full session. 

Step 2:

After attending an advising session, submit a request to open your application for a specific program and term. Application requests must be submitted no later than 3 days before the program's deadline.​ The relevant Global Programs Manager in Penn Abroad will review your academic eligibility before opening the application.  

Please note that you must have an application open before attending additional advising for the following reasons: 

• You will be equipped and empowered to apply the strategies discussed during group advising to research, narrow down your options, and select an initial program preference. 
• Once your application is open, you and your Global Programs Manager can review it together in additional advising, as the Penn Abroad application process is generally the same across programs. 
• You can request to have your application switched to a different program at any time before that program's application deadline, so opening an application does not commit you to a specific program. 

Step 3:

As needed, attend additional small group or 1:1 advising. Your GPM will share a registration link for additional advising upon opening your application. 

Step 4:

Complete and submit your Penn Abroad application prior to the deadline!

Please note that advising for Fall and Spring term programs is unavailable each year from October to early November and from March to early April during application review. Advising for Summer term programs is only available from November to January. 

When advising for your program of interest is unavailable, you are welcome to attend drop-in hours or look out for upcoming events to learn more. If you have any questions, please contact goabroad@upenn.edu. 

Still deciding or exploring Penn’s global opportunities more broadly? Visit our Why Go Abroad resources to begin defining your goals and exploring program options. We also offer a variety of events and drop-in hours exclusively for those who are just beginning to navigate the programs available and how to apply. If you have a question, please contact goabroad@upenn.edu.

Interested in learning more about the Global Research & Internship Program for Summer 2025? Attend an upcoming information session to ask questions and get advice about choosing a placement and preparing your application. You can also sign up for drop-in hours or attend a PA101 session exclusively for those who are beginning to navigate the programs available and how to apply.

Questions can also be directed to intern-abroad@upenn.edu. You are also invited to join our mailing list to receive reminders, updates on programs, events, and future application deadlines.

An advising session is not required as part of the Penn Global Seminars application process. If you have questions or are interested in learning more about the Penn Global Seminars program, we offer a variety of events, PA101 sessions, and drop-in hours exclusively for those who are beginning to navigate the programs available and how to apply. You are also invited to join our mailing list to receive reminders, updates on programs, events, and future application deadlines. Advising is available by appointment by contacting pgs-abroad@upenn.edu. 

Note: Advising meetings are a great way to learn about the Penn Global Seminars courses and the application process. They are not intended to provide applicants with advice related to program competitiveness or how to gain an advantage over another applicant.