International Student Welcome (ISW)

Welcome to Penn State!

International Student Welcome (ISW) programming introduces new international students to life on campus and in the United States. Topics covered include:

  • Academic and social life at Penn State
  • Insurance, immunization requirements, and University Health Services
  • Campus resources and support services
  • Important immigration and contact information

Undergraduate students participate in New Student Orientation (NSO), including an online NSO session and academic advising for international and an in-person ISW program.

Graduate students participate in an online session and an in-peson ISW program, plus additional orientation sessions provided by your academic program.

​Please read the Immigration and Orientation Frequently Asked Questions and visit the pages below for specific information about International Student Welcome for University Park campus students. 

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your on-campus arrival.

 

Spring 2024 ISW at University Park

Virtual Orientation Sessions for all incoming international students

  • Virtual International Graduate Student Orientation (November 28): Graduate students will be invited to attend a virtual orientation session. Topics include a welcome from the Graduate School leadership, immigration regulations, and campus resources.
  • Virtual New Student Orientation (November 29, December 11, or January 2): Undergraduate students will schedule a virtual New Student Orientation session through their NSO Tasklist. Topics include immigration information and campus resources. After attending their virtual NSO, undergraduate students will schedule an academic advising appointment and select classes for the Spring 2024 semester.
  • International Student Parent & Family Webinar (December 12): This online session is for parents and family members of incoming international students. Topics include campus safety, tuition payments, immigration information, on-campus housing.

International Student Welcome at University Park

Graduate and undergraduate students will also attend the in-person International Student Welcome program the weekend before classes begin. Please plan to arrive on campus by Saturday, January 6. ISW for graduate and undegraduate students will be on Sunday, January 7. Check-in will be at 8:00 AM in the Thomas Building lobby.

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your on-campus arrival.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR UNIVERSITY PARK

Penn State is a large, decentralized institution which means that there are many different offices that support students in different ways. Here are some of those resources:

Summer 2024 ISW for Graduate Students at University Park

International Student Welcome for graduate students consists of two essential steps:

STEP ONE: Graduate Student Virtual Orientation

Graduate students will be invited to attend a virtual orientation session. Topics include a welcome from the Graduate School leadership, immigration regulations, and campus resources. Date to be announced.

STEP TWO: In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

Arrival and program dates for June will be announced in the future. Topics include:

  • Banking in the USA
  • Student health insurance and medical care
  • Sessions with current international student leaders
  • Immigration check-in

All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome in June.

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your on-campus arrival.

 

Contact Information for University Park

Penn State is a large, decentralized institution which means that there are many different offices that support students in different ways. Here are some of those resources:

Summer 2024 ISW for Undergraduate Students at University Park

New Student Orientation for International Students consists of three essential steps:

STEP 1:     Online Virtual Orientation

Undergraduate international students will schedule a virtual New Student Orientation session through their NSO Tasklist. Topics include immigration information and campus resources. After attending their virtual NSO, undergraduate students will schedule an academic advising appointment and select classes for the Summer 2 semester. Dates to be announced.

STEP 2:     Online Virtual Academic Advising and Course Selection

As part of your NSO process, you will schedule an online academic advising appointment to schedule your Summer 2 semester courses.

STEP 3:     In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

Arrival and program dates for June will be announced in the future. Topics include:

  • Banking in the USA
  • Student health insurance and medical care
  • Sessions with current international student leaders
  • Immigration check-in

All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome in June. 

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your on-campus arrival.

 

Contact Information for University Park

Penn State is a large, decentralized institution which means that there are many different offices that support students in different ways. Here are some of those resources:

Fall 2024 ISW for Graduate Students at University Park

International Student Welcome for graduate students consists of two essential steps:

STEP ONE: Graduate Student Virtual Orientation

Graduate students will be invited to attend a virtual orientation session. Topics include a welcome from the Graduate School leadership, immigration regulations, and campus resources. Date to be announced.

STEP TWO: In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

Arrival and program dates for August will be announced in the future. Topics include:

  • Banking in the USA
  • Student health insurance and medical care
  • Sessions with current international student leaders
  • Immigration check-in

All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome in August.

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your on-campus arrival.

 

Contact information for University Park

Penn State is a large, decentralized institution which means that there are many different offices that support students in different ways. Here are some of those resources:

Fall 2024 ISW for Undergraduate Students at University Park

New Student Orientation for International Students consists of three essential steps:

STEP 1:     Online Virtual Orientation

Undergraduate international students will schedule a virtual New Student Orientation session through their NSO Tasklist. Topics include immigration information and campus resources. After attending their virtual NSO, undergraduate students will schedule an academic advising appointment and select classes for the Fall semester. Dates to be announced.

STEP 2:     Online Virtual Academic Advising and Course Selection

As part of your NSO process, you will schedule an online academic advising appointment to schedule your Fall semester courses.

STEP 3:     In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

Arrival and program dates for August will be announced in the future. Topics include:

  • Banking in the USA
  • Student health insurance and medical care
  • Sessions with current international student leaders
  • Immigration check-in

All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome in August. 

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your on-campus arrival.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR UNIVERSITY PARK

Penn State is a large, decentralized institution which means that there are many different offices that support students in different ways. Here are some of those resources: