International Student and Scholar Services at Penn

International Student and Scholar Services at Penn Capturing the world of international students and scholars at the University of Pennsylvania 🌎

Information on advising hours and how to make an appointment can be found here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/advising

🤖 How can you prepare to thrive in an AI era?Join Dr. Lily Zhang from ISSS and Dr. Ayoung N. Lee and Julianne Reynolds f...
09/25/2026

🤖 How can you prepare to thrive in an AI era?

Join Dr. Lily Zhang from ISSS and Dr. Ayoung N. Lee and Julianne Reynolds from the Weingarten Center for an informal and interactive conversation designed to help international students better understand and navigate a rapidly changing AI landscape.

📅 Date: Friday, October 2nd
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM EDT
📍 3935 Walnut St, Room 600B on the 6th Floor

Bring your questions, experiences, and curiosity. Pizza will be provided!

Scan the QR code to register!

Wishing a luminous Mid-Autumn Festival to our East and Southeast Asian communities! 中秋快乐，月圆人团圆！Celebrated across East an...
09/25/2026

Wishing a luminous Mid-Autumn Festival to our East and Southeast Asian communities! 中秋快乐，月圆人团圆！

Celebrated across East and Southeast Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival has deep historical and cultural roots in China, where it has been observed for centuries as one of the most important traditional festivals. Traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival is closely associated with the full moon, family reunion, gratitude, and togetherness.

In Chinese culture, the full moon has long symbolized reunion and connection with loved ones. Traditions such as gathering with family, admiring the moon (赏月), sharing mooncakes (月饼), and lighting lanterns have become meaningful parts of Mid-Autumn celebrations across generations. The festival’s traditions and meanings have also developed in distinct ways across other East and Southeast Asian cultures and communities.

Whether you are sharing mooncakes with friends on campus, admiring the full moon, lighting lanterns, or taking part in traditions that connect you with home and family, we hope this season brings you warmth and a sense of belonging.

海上生明月，天涯共此时。祝大家中秋快乐，阖家团圆，平安顺遂！🌕 🏮

May the full moon symbolize connection, gratitude, and togetherness for you and your loved ones.

🌕 추석 잘 보내세요! Happy Chuseok!Chuseok, one of Korea’s most beloved holidays, is celebrated around the full moon of the 8th ...
09/25/2026

🌕 추석 잘 보내세요! Happy Chuseok!

Chuseok, one of Korea’s most beloved holidays, is celebrated around the full moon of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Like other East Asian traditions that mark this time of year, Chuseok has developed its own distinctive history, customs, and cultural meaning in Korea.

During Chuseok, families and communities come together to honor ancestors, share traditional foods such as songpyeon (송편), exchange gifts, enjoy music and other festivities, and celebrate family, heritage, and togetherness. Many people also travel to spend time with loved ones and take part in traditions passed down through generations.

Today, we celebrate the Korean community at Penn and all those observing Chuseok. May this holiday be filled with connection, gratitude, and time with those who matter most.

추석 잘 보내세요! 🌕🍂

🏮🌕 Chúc Mừng Tết Trung Thu! 🌕🏮Today, we celebrate Tết Trung Thu, Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival—a beloved Vietnamese trad...
09/25/2026

🏮🌕 Chúc Mừng Tết Trung Thu! 🌕🏮

Today, we celebrate Tết Trung Thu, Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival—a beloved Vietnamese tradition shaped by generations of history and celebrated with moonlight, lanterns, mooncakes, family, and community.

Mid-Autumn traditions are observed in different ways across East and Southeast Asia, with each community developing its own customs and meanings. In Vietnam, Tết Trung Thu is especially associated with children, family, community celebrations, colorful lanterns, bánh trung thu (mooncakes), lion dances, and gathering beneath the full moon. 🏮🦁🌕

For many, Tết Trung Thu is a joyful time to celebrate children and to reflect on family, connection, and togetherness.

At ISSS, we’re grateful for the many cultures and traditions that enrich our community. To everyone celebrating, we hope Tết Trung Thu brings you joy, connection, friendship, and plenty of moonlight.

Chúc Mừng Tết Trung Thu! 🏮✨🌕

🌕✨ Happy Tsukimi! ✨🌕Today, we celebrate Tsukimi (月見), Japan’s traditional Moon-Viewing Festival—a beloved autumn traditi...
09/25/2026

🌕✨ Happy Tsukimi! ✨🌕

Today, we celebrate Tsukimi (月見), Japan’s traditional Moon-Viewing Festival—a beloved autumn tradition centered on appreciating the moon, the changing season, and gratitude for the harvest.

Moon-viewing and autumn harvest traditions have a long history across East Asia, taking distinct forms in different cultures and communities. In Japan, Tsukimi has developed its own unique customs and meanings. For generations, people have gathered to admire the autumn moon, decorate with susuki (pampas grass), and enjoy tsukimi dango, traditional rice dumplings associated with the celebration. 🌾🍡🌕

At ISSS, we invite our community to take a moment to slow down, look up, and appreciate the beauty of the season—and the many distinct cultures and traditions that enrich our community.

🌙 Happy Tsukimi!

May your day be filled with peace, gratitude, connection, and a little moonlight. ✨

💼 📚 Join us for our upcoming in-person OPT Session!Register for an upcoming in-person workshop on the Optional Practical...
09/22/2026

💼 📚 Join us for our upcoming in-person OPT Session!

Register for an upcoming in-person workshop on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process! OPT is F-1 work permission that can be used before or after graduation. This webinar will introduce you to the basics of OPT, including application timelines, eligibility, types of employment on OPT, and more. Members of the ISSS team will respond to your questions on-site.

📅 Date: Tuesday, September 29th
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM EDT

An understanding of OPT is expected before attending the workshop online. Please visit our website for more information about OPT: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/opt

🎉 Celebrating Connection, Community & Mentorship! 🎉Thank you to everyone who joined us for the International Peer Mentor...
09/21/2026

🎉 Celebrating Connection, Community & Mentorship! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the International Peer Mentorship Program (IPMP) Welcome Reception on September 9! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow students, meet mentors and mentees, and celebrate the community that makes IPMP so special. 🌎💙

A special congratulations to our 2026 Mentorship Award winners!🏆 Your dedication, support, and commitment to building meaningful connections have made a difference in the IPMP community.

🌟 Above & Beyond Award
Senin Ahammed Akkara Paramban & Emma Wong

🤝 Community Builder Award
Mirabel Zou

🎓 Most Engaged Graduate Mentor
Chiang Lee

🎓 Most Engaged Undergraduate Mentors
Wendy Wang & Elias Nothacker

💙 Most Supportive Graduate Mentor
Vansh Dalal

💙 Most Supportive Undergraduate Mentor
Kaia Feichtinger-Erhart

Congratulations to all of our award recipients, and thank you to all of our IPMP mentors and mentees for helping create a welcoming, supportive, and connected community! 👏

✡️ G'mar Chatimah Tovah, wishing everyone an easy and meaningful fast. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest ...
09/21/2026

✡️ G'mar Chatimah Tovah, wishing everyone an easy and meaningful fast. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year. Falling ten days after Rosh Hashanah, it marks the culmination of a period of introspection and repentance, during which Jewish communities around the world gather for prayer, fasting, and the solemn closing of the heavenly gates. The shofar's final, resonant blast at the end of Neilah (the closing service) signals the seal of the new year and a return to renewal and hope.
To all in our Penn community observing, may this sacred day bring you healing, forgiveness, and peace. 🕍🙏

🎨 🏙️ Join ISSS for another Culture Crossings Excursion on Philadelphia's famed Mural Arts Tour! Come to take a break fro...
09/18/2026

🎨 🏙️ Join ISSS for another Culture Crossings Excursion on Philadelphia's famed Mural Arts Tour! Come to take a break from studying and explore the world's largest outdoor art gallery.

📅 Date: Friday, September 25th
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM EDT

A few quick reminders for our attendees:
✅ Meet-up Spot: We will all be gathering at 3935 Walnut St. Look for the ISSS team!
✅ Timing: The adventure runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM sharp. Please be on time so we can get the most out of our tour!
✅ Travel: Your SEPTA pass is on us for a seamless trip there and back. 🚎

Register using the QR code or visit bit.ly/4iQPEBw

🎓💼 Join us for an upcoming webinar on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process! This session is specifi...
09/18/2026

🎓💼 Join us for an upcoming webinar on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process! This session is specifically designed for F-1 students looking to understand their work permission options before or after graduation.

📅 Date: Tuesday, September 22nd
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM EDT

💡 What's Covered:
- The Basics: An introduction to OPT, including eligibility and application timelines.
- Employment Info: Learn about different types of employment allowed under OPT.
- Live Q&A: Members of the ISSS team will be available to answer your specific questions in real-time.

An understanding of OPT is expected before attending.

Scan the QR code to register!

Address

3935 Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
19104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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