International Student and Scholar Services at Penn

💙 New to Penn? Take care of your health from day one!

Join ISSS and Wellness at Penn during International Student Orientation Week for an important session on Immunization, Health Insurance, and Wellbeing Resources.

Learn about:

💉 Penn’s immunization requirements
🏥 How health insurance works in the U.S.
🧠 Physical and mental health resources available through Wellness at Penn
❓ Get your questions answered and troubleshoot issues like portal access

📅 Monday, August 17
⏰ 3:00–4:00 p.m.
📍 3935 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor

Whether you’re figuring out U.S. healthcare for the first time or just want to make sure you’re ready for the semester, this session is a great way to get started.

Sign up for this session, and view all NSO / ISO events: bit.ly/penn_iso2026

🌍 Penn's Global Table 🍽️

This week's featured dish comes from Ashwani Prasad, who shared Panipuri, one of India's most beloved street foods. 🇮🇳✨

Panipuri is a bite-sized, crispy shell filled with spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and tangy, flavorful water. Every bite is a delicious mix of crunchy, spicy, sweet, and refreshing flavors, making it a favorite snack enjoyed across India.

Thank you, Ashwani, for sharing a taste of home and bringing another delicious tradition to Penn's Global Table! 💙❤️

📣 We'd love to feature your favorite dish next!

Share a taste of your home country by sending:
📸 A photo or short video of your favorite food, snack, or dish
🍴 What it's called
🌎 Where it's from
💛 Why it's special to you

Email your submission to Melinda Ingersoll at [email protected].

Let's come together at Penn's Global Table—one dish, one story, one memory at a time. 🌎✨

🌾 Happy Lammas Day! Observed on August 1st, Lammas is one of the oldest harvest festivals in the British Isles, with roots in Anglo-Saxon and Celtic traditions. Marking the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, it celebrates the first fruits of the wheat harvest, traditionally, freshly baked loaves of bread were brought to church as an offering of gratitude for the season's bounty. For many Pagan and Wiccan communities today, Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, remains a meaningful time of thanksgiving, reflection, and honoring the cycles of the earth.
To everyone observing this ancient seasonal celebration, wishing you a warm and abundant Lammas! 🍞🌻

🌍 Penn's Global Table 🍽️

This week's featured dish comes from Ratna Roy, who shared Shondesh, a beloved sweet from Kolkata, India. 🇮🇳✨

Made with fresh chhena (Indian cottage cheese), Shondesh is a classic Bengali dessert known for its delicate texture and subtle sweetness. Often enjoyed during festivals, celebrations, and family gatherings, it's a treat that brings people together and celebrates tradition.

Thank you, Ratna, for bringing a taste of home to Penn's Global Table! 💙❤️

📣 We'd love to feature your favorite dish next!

Share a taste of your home country by sending:

📸 A photo or short video of your favorite food, snack, or dish
🍴 What it's called
🌎 Where it's from
💛 Why it's special to you

Email your submission to Melinda Ingersoll at [email protected].

Let's come together at Penn's Global Table—one dish, one story, one memory at a time. 🌎✨

📢 Thank you to everyone who joined us on July 23 for our first information session on the Department of Homeland Security's Final Rule on Duration of Status!

🎥 Missed it or want to rewatch? Access the session recording here:
👉 https://youtu.be/PZ9A1402zuM

📅 Save the date: We're hosting a second university-wide virtual info session on Thursday, July 30, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET.

This session will cover the core material from the first webinar, plus new updates and answers to common questions from the live Q&A.

✅ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1994596276155

Following next week's event, we'll be hosting targeted sessions tailored to specific campus groups — stay tuned for dates and registration details! 💙

Sign up for the Intercultural Leadership Program! 🎓

The ILP fosters a community of intercultural leaders ready to explore issues they care about, connect with people from different backgrounds, and make a lasting impact at Penn and beyond.

📅 September 11–13, 2026
📍 Pendle Hill, Wallingford, PA
👥 Open to first-year undergrad & grad students — all international and U.S. students welcome!

Applications close Friday, August 21st. Don't miss out — spots are limited!

👉 Sign up now: bit.ly/JOIN_ILP_2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Forerunner Global webinar sessions on Thursday, July 23rd and Friday, July 24th!

We were thrilled to connect with prospective students from around the world and share more about the Penn experience, including the current learning environment, academic opportunities, and student life at the University of Pennsylvania.

If you missed a session or would like to watch it again, recordings are now available on our YouTube channel: bit.ly/forerunnerglobal2026

A special thank you to our Faculty Panelists:

Dr. Boon Thau Loo (SEAS)
Dr. Philip Nichols (Wharton)
Dr. Betsy Rymes (GSE)

And our Student Panelists:

Ali Saber
Deniz Guler
Nowreen Yasmin
Shrey Patel

Your insights into the current Penn learning environment and student life were both informative and inspiring, and we are grateful for the time you took to share your experiences and perspectives with our attendees.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us and contributed to these engaging conversations. We hope to welcome many of you to Penn in the future!

🚨 Important Immigration Update for Penn's International Community

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a new Final Rule affecting how F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents are admitted to and maintain lawful status in the U.S.

What you should know:
• The rule does not take effect until September 15, 2026.
• Nothing changes right now. Current immigration regulations, advising, and University procedures remain in place during the implementation period.
• ISSS is carefully reviewing the Final Rule and working with University partners to understand its impact and develop guidance for our community.

📅 Join our University-wide webinar
Thursday, July 23 | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET
Learn what the rule means, what it does not mean, and what, if any, future actions may be required. An invitation will be sent separately.

For students and scholars:
✔️ Continue following current ISSS guidance.
✔️ Watch your Penn email and the ISSS website for official updates.
✔️ If you are currently outside the U.S., you may wish to consider returning before September 15, 2026, if feasible. International travel and CBP admission remain subject to individual circumstances.

For faculty, staff, and administrators:
Please continue following current University procedures and refer immigration-related questions to ISSS. At this time, no changes to hiring, appointments, funding, academic planning, or travel guidance should be made based solely on the published rule.

We recognize that immigration policy changes can create uncertainty. ISSS is committed to providing timely, accurate, and transparent guidance throughout this process.

Forerunner Global is an engaging pre-departure virtual program that offers interactive workshops on academic skills and cultural adjustment, networking opportunities with peers and mentors, and insights into Penn’s resources to help you thrive.

🗓️ July 23rd & 24th, 2026
🕐 9am to 11am EDT
📍 Virtual Event
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992501628006 or visit our Linktree in profile.

We are excited to invite our new incoming international students to join Forerunner Global, a unique online initiative designed to support your transition and success at Penn.

Forerunner Global is an engaging pre-departure program that offers interactive workshops on academic skills and cultural adjustment, networking opportunities with peers and mentors, and insights into Penn’s resources to help you thrive.

By joining this program, you will have the chance to:

* Connect with other international students before arriving on campus.
* Prepare for academic life and gain valuable tips for success.
* Engage with Penn’s vibrant community and build lasting friendships.

Please note: If you have already attended a previous Forerunner session in person, you have already covered this material and do not need to register for this event. Thank you for your continued engagement!

Please note that the ISSS office will be closing at 2pm on Thursday, July 2nd for the Independence Day holiday and will reopen on Monday, July 6th at 9am.