Exchange at Penn

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is a member of the Ivy League, and internationally renowned for undergraduate-level teaching, research programs, as well as its graduate and professional schools. Through organized events, excursions, activities on campus, and dorm living, you have many opportunities to meet and mingle with degree-seeking peers at Penn and make lasting connections.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States, is a major cultural center and the heart of a metropolitan region with a population of more than five million people.The region also has one of the highest concentrations of colleges and universities in the country, making it a vibrant place to spend a semester or year as an exchange student.

Exchange agreements with Penn’s partner institutions are linked to one or more of the four Penn undergraduate schools. You are expected to take the majority of your courses in the school of your exchange. Exchange students must enroll in a minimum of four credit units (four courses) per semester in order to maintain full-time status at Penn.

You will receive personal and academic support for the duration of your stay:

• An assigned academic advisor from the admitting undergraduate school will assist with course selection, registration, and other academic matters.

• A Penn Abroad Global Programs Manager will assist with cultural and adjustment issues, serve as a liaison to your home institution, and provide support throughout the term.

• All exchange students can utilize campus resources such as Penn’s world renown research libraries, career services, student disability services, counseling and psychological services, tutoring and learning resources, and much more.

The University of Pennsylvania maintains international student exchange partnerships with more than 50 institutions across the world. Each year, we welcome more than 200 exchange students to our campus to study in our prestigious undergraduate programs, engage in cross-cultural learning, and explore Philadelphia.

Our current partners are encouraged to review our updated fact sheet and nominate their prospective exchange students by the relevant deadlines.

If you are an interested student and your home institution is not a current partner with the University of Pennsylvania, it is recommended that you contact your institution’s study abroad office to learn about your options. You may also be able to study at Penn through the International Guest Student Program.