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

CPT PROCESSING UPDATESeptember 10, 2026Penn has resumed processing CPT requests when practical training is an integral a...
09/10/2026

CPT PROCESSING UPDATE
September 10, 2026

Penn has resumed processing CPT requests when practical training is an integral and required component of the student’s established curriculum.

Students should work with their academic department and employer to complete the required academic review and Penn cooperative agreement.

CPT authorization must be issued by ISSS on an updated Form I-20 before any practical training begins.

Penn continues to review its programs and processes following the federal CPT guidance issued on August 24, 2026.

Visit the ISSS CPT webpage for complete information and future updates:
global.upenn.edu/isss/cpt

📣 The deadline to apply is coming soon!Want to help shape the international student experience at Penn? Join the Interna...
09/10/2026

📣 The deadline to apply is coming soon!

Want to help shape the international student experience at Penn? Join the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)! 🌎✨

ISAB brings together international undergraduate and graduate students to collaborate with ISSS and other campus offices on initiatives that support and advocate for international students.

Our work includes:
🎓 Academics
🤝 Social Integration
💰 Finance
🌐 Immigration
💙 Health & Wellness
💼 Careers

Make your voice heard. Build community. Create change.

👉 Apply now: tinyurl.com/ISABApps
📅 Deadline: September 13th

Learn more about ISAB: global.upenn.edu/isss/isab

🌎 Lead. Connect. Make an Impact.Are you a Penn World Scholar interested in getting more involved in the PWS community? N...
09/09/2026

🌎 Lead. Connect. Make an Impact.

Are you a Penn World Scholar interested in getting more involved in the PWS community? Now is your chance to step into a leadership role!

PWS is welcoming applications for:

✨ Cohort Leaders — serve as a voice for your cohort, connect with peers, help plan events, and share feedback.

✨ PWS Leadership Board — join as a Committee Chair or Committee Member in Events, Outreach, or Senior Talk and help shape the PWS experience.

These opportunities are a great way to grow your leadership skills, build connections across the PWS community, and contribute to the program you’re part of. ❤️💙

These leadership opportunities are only open to current members of the Penn World Scholars program. Unsure if you're a PWS member? Learn more about PWS and the program at global.upenn.edu/isss/pws

📣 Ready to step up?
Apply to be a PWS Leader: bit.ly/pwslead2026

🪈 Jai Shri Krishna! Happy Krishna Janmashtami! Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lo...
09/04/2026

🪈 Jai Shri Krishna! Happy Krishna Janmashtami! Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and one of the most beloved and revered deities in Hinduism. Born at midnight, Krishna's life and teachings — captured in the sacred Bhagavad Gita — continue to guide millions with timeless wisdom on love, duty, and devotion. The festival is marked with fasting, devotional singing, dramatic re-enactments of Krishna's life, and midnight celebrations as devotees await the auspicious hour of his birth.

🚨 CPT UPDATE FOR F-1 STUDENTSPenn is temporarily pausing decisions on new and pending Curricular Practical Training (CPT...
09/02/2026

🚨 CPT UPDATE FOR F-1 STUDENTS

Penn is temporarily pausing decisions on new and pending Curricular Practical Training (CPT) requests while the University conducts an expedited review following updated federal guidance issued on August 24, 2026.

What does this mean?

📌 Have current CPT authorization?
Your existing CPT authorization is not affected by the pause. Continue to follow the employer, location, dates, and other conditions listed on your current Form I-20. Do not work beyond your authorized dates or make changes without ISSS approval.

📌 Have a pending or upcoming CPT request?
Expect your CPT decision to remain paused while Penn reviews the applicable academic programs and documentation.

📌 Planning an internship or recruiting?
You may continue recruiting and interviewing, but do not begin work unless ISSS has authorized CPT and issued an updated Form I-20. Penn cannot guarantee that a future internship will qualify for CPT.

📌 What changed at the federal level?
Under the updated guidance, receiving academic credit alone is not sufficient for CPT eligibility. The practical training must meet specific curricular requirements, including being an integral and required part of an established curriculum and directly related to the student’s major.

⚠️ Most importantly: Do not engage in off-campus employment without proper authorization. Working without the required authorization can have serious consequences for your F-1 status and future immigration opportunities.

ISSS understands that this may affect internship plans, recruiting, and academic decisions. Penn is working to complete its review and will provide additional guidance as information becomes available.

👉 For the latest information, please visit the CPT webpage:
global.upenn.edu/isss/cpt

Please rely on official Penn communications for updates. Information may change as federal guidance develops.

🇺🇸 Please Note, Penn Community! 🇺🇸ISSS will be closing at 2pm on Friday, September 4th in observance of the Labor Day ho...
09/02/2026

🇺🇸 Please Note, Penn Community! 🇺🇸

ISSS will be closing at 2pm on Friday, September 4th in observance of the Labor Day holiday, and will remain closed until Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00am ET.

Please plan ahead and take care of any advising or immigration-related needs accordingly.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day! ❤️💙

🇲🇾 Selamat Hari Merdeka! Happy Malaysia Independence Day! Celebrated on August 31st, Hari Merdeka commemorates the day i...
08/31/2026

🇲🇾 Selamat Hari Merdeka! Happy Malaysia Independence Day! Celebrated on August 31st, Hari Merdeka commemorates the day in 1957 when Malaya declared independence from British colonial rule, marking the birth of a free and sovereign nation. Today, Malaysia stands as a vibrant, multicultural country of diverse ethnicities, languages, and traditions, a richness that is one of its greatest strengths and most celebrated qualities.
To all our Malaysian friends and scholars at Penn, your culture, warmth, and spirit make our community brighter. Malaysiaku, tanah tumpah darahku! 🌟✨

🌎 PGM 2026: Day 3! 💙And just like that, we wrapped up an unforgettable PGM 2026 experience!Day 3 was all about reflectio...
08/27/2026

🌎 PGM 2026: Day 3! 💙

And just like that, we wrapped up an unforgettable PGM 2026 experience!

Day 3 was all about reflection, connection, and celebrating everything our cohort experienced together. We put teamwork and trust to the test with Crossing the River, then came together for the Tunnel of Wisdom & Closing Ceremony—a meaningful moment to look back on the connections, lessons, and memories made throughout the program. ✨

We closed out the day with an International Student Picnic, bringing everyone together one more time to relax, share stories, and celebrate the global community we’re building at Penn. 🧺🌍

Thank you, PGM 2026, for making these days so special. Here’s to new friendships, unforgettable memories, and the beginning of an incredible journey at Penn! 🎉

🌎 PGM 2026: Day 2! 🎉Day 2 brought even more opportunities for our PGM 2026 cohort to connect, collaborate, and celebrate...
08/26/2026

🌎 PGM 2026: Day 2! 🎉

Day 2 brought even more opportunities for our PGM 2026 cohort to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the power of global perspectives!

The day began with a Culture & Leadership Conversation Walk, followed by some friendly competition during the Mosaic Olympics. 🏅 From Building a Global Landmark to Escape & Negotiate, our students put their teamwork, creativity, communication, and leadership skills to the test!

After dinner, it was time to prepare for the evening’s big event—Global Sing & Dance Off at the Laurelside Amphitheatre! 🎶💃🕺

With incredible performances, plenty of energy, and lots of cheering, Day 2 was the perfect reminder that our global community is strongest when we learn, laugh, and celebrate together. 🌍💙

🌎 PGM 2026: Day 1! 🎉What a way to kick off the PGM experience! Our new cohort jumped right in with a full day of connect...
08/25/2026

🌎 PGM 2026: Day 1! 🎉

What a way to kick off the PGM experience! Our new cohort jumped right in with a full day of connection, creativity, collaboration, and plenty of opportunities to learn from one another.

From Around the World Greetings and the Storytelling Relay to creating a World Village, tackling a Scavenger Hunt, and sharing favorite treats during Global Snacks & Tell, Day 1 was all about celebrating the cultures and perspectives that make our community so special. 🌍✨

We also got to showcase some serious energy with the introduction of our Global Sing & Dance Off, followed by dinner and an evening of Breaking the Culture Clash—ending an unforgettable first day on a high note!

Here’s to new friendships, new experiences, and an incredible PGM journey ahead. 💙

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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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