International Student and Scholar Services at Penn

🇨🇳 Penn alumni in China, don't miss this! Join us for the Penn Forerunner Evening Reception in Shanghai, hosted by Penn Global, GAPSA, and ISSS. A wonderful evening to engage with Penn faculty, reconnect with fellow alumni, and help welcome the next generation of Penn students and their families. 🎓✨

📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre, Shanghai

Scan the QR code to register, see you there! 🔴

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Please note that the ISSS office will be closing at 2pm on Friday, May 22nd and will not reopen until Tuesday, May 26th at 9am. Please plan your advising needs accordingly and have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

上海见！Your Penn adventure starts right here. 🇨🇳✨

Forerunner 2026 is coming to Shanghai, a free pre-departure orientation for incoming Penn students to get fully prepared before stepping onto campus. Meet your future classmates, learn about life at Penn, and walk in on day one feeling ready! 🎓❤️

📍 Shanghai Marriott, Shanghai, China
📅 June 20, 2026
Free to attend; meals & refreshments provided!

Register now at bit.ly/forerunner2026 or scan the QR code in the flyer! 👆

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🎓🌍 What an unforgettable evening at the International Student Graduation Reception on May 15 at!

Thank you to the hundreds of graduating students, family members, and friends who joined us to celebrate the incredible achievements, resilience, leadership, and global impact of Penn’s international student community. Your stories, friendships, and contributions have shaped our campus in countless ways, and we are so proud to celebrate this milestone with you.

We were honored to welcome Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, as our keynote speaker, whose reflections on leadership, service, and global citizenship offered an inspiring message for graduates as they prepare for the next chapter of their journeys.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Rudie Altamirano, Executive Director of International Student & Scholar Services, for presenting this year’s student awards and recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of Penn’s international student community.

Congratulations to our 2026 Penn Global Student Citizenship Award recipients:
🏆 Undergraduate Winner: Ali Saber
🏆 Graduate Winner: Andrés Mondragón

Undergraduate Honorable Mentions:
✨ Louis Li
✨ Bruno Basner

Graduate Honorable Mention:
✨ Nowreen Yasmin

We were also excited to recognize our outstanding student leaders whose energy, advocacy, and commitment have strengthened the Penn international community:
👏 Ha Pham
👏 Lucia Espina Vazquez
👏 Terhi Nurminen
👏 Ale Valdés Aponte
👏 Andrew Lu

And a very heartfelt and special thank you to our graduating ISSS student workers for their dedication, care, and lasting impact on our office and community. We miss you already!
💙 Alicia Niguidula
💙 Hannah Hayman
💙 Yi Han

Congratulations, Class of 2026! Wherever your journey takes you next, know that you will always be part of the Penn global community. 🌎❤️

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🇮🇳 Penn alumni in India, this one's for you! Join us for the Penn Forerunner Evening Reception in New Delhi, hosted by Penn Global, GAPSA, and ISSS. An elegant evening to engage with Penn faculty, reconnect with fellow alumni, and warmly welcome incoming students and their families as they embark on their Penn journey. 🎓

📅 Saturday, June 13
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 ITC Maurya Hotel, New Delhi

Scan the QR code to register — we'd love to see you there! ✨

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Your Penn story starts at home! 🇮🇳

Forerunner 2026 is coming to New Delhi, a free pre-departure orientation for incoming Penn students to get ready for everything ahead. From navigating campus resources to meeting your future classmates, this is where your Penn life begins! 🎓❤️

📍 ITC Maurya Hotel, New Delhi
📅 June 13, 2026
Free to attend; meals & refreshments provided!

Register now at bit.ly/forerunner2026 or scan the QR code! 👆

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Dr. Rudie Altamirano attended the University of Pennsylvania Commencement and, as has become his longstanding tradition each year in his role as Executive Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), he took selfies with many graduating students. This year was no exception. He captured countless photos reflecting the many faces and remarkable diversity of the graduating Class of 2026.

🌍✨ A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our International Alumni Welcome Brunch this past Saturday! 🌍✨

It was such a pleasure bringing together alumni from around the world to reconnect, share experiences, build new connections, and celebrate the strength of our global community. Events like these remind us that no matter where life takes us, the bonds we create as alumni continue to unite us across cultures, countries, and generations.

We are grateful to all who joined us and helped make the brunch such a meaningful and memorable gathering. Your stories, energy, and continued support truly make our alumni network special.

We also want to extend our appreciation to the alumni who were unable to attend this year. While we missed seeing you, we hope to connect with you at future events and continue growing our community together.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back this fall for our Homecoming Alumni Brunch! 🍂 Stay connected, stay engaged, and we hope to see you again soon.

🌏 Calling all Penn alumni who will be in Singapore this summer! Join us for the Penn Forerunner Evening Reception, an elegant evening hosted by Penn Global to connect with faculty, reconnect with fellow alumni, and welcome the newest members of the Penn family. 🔴🔵

📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍 JW Marriott Singapore South Beach

Scan the QR code to register and be part of this special evening. See you there! ✨

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🎓 Happy Commencement, Class of 2026!

To our amazing international graduates, your journey at Penn has been truly extraordinary. You crossed borders, embraced new challenges, and helped create a global home here on our campus.

We are incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved, and we’re excited to see the mark you’ll leave on the world. Wherever your path leads, you will always remain a cherished part of the Penn family.

With love,
The ISSS Team