International Student Welcome (ISW)

Welcome to Penn State!

There are three programs required of new incoming international students:

  • Penn State Global Welcome Webinar (graduate and undergraduate students): This online session will provide information on immigration, campus safety, avoiding housing scams, tuition and financial matters, and health insurance. Offered in May, June, and July. You will receive an email with registration instructions.
  • New Student Orientation (NSO) for International Students (undergraduate students only): This online session will provide introductory information on the Penn State experience. All incoming undergraduate Penn State students attend an NSO. You must complete your NSO to enroll in classes. Offered in June, July, and August. You will schedule your NSO as part of your NSO Tasklist.
  • International Student Welcome (graduate and undergraduate students): This in-person, on-campus program introduces you to your campus resources and experience. ISW specifics depend on campus, but they often include campus tours, social events with other new students, immigration information, and learning about various campus offices. You will receive an email with registration instructions.

Please note that there might be additional orientation programming required by your academic program or other groups. ​

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 2025 ISW at University Park

International Student Welcome at University Park

International student orientation programming at Penn State consists of three essential steps:

STEP 1: Penn State Global Welcome Webinar

International students will be invited to attend a virtual Welcome Webinar hosted by Penn State Global. Topics include immigration, health insurance, campus safety, finance, housing scam awareness, and a panel with current Penn State international students. The Spring semester session will be held on Tuesday, December 3. Incoming international students will receive an email with registration information.

STEP 2: NSO for International Students and Virtual Academic Advising (undergraduate students only) 

Undergraduate international students will schedule a virtual New Student Orientation session through their NSO Tasklist. After attending their virtual NSO, undergraduate students will schedule an academic advising appointment and select classes for the Spring semester. Graduate students select classes directly through their academic program, not through an NSO program.

STEP 3: In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

International Student Welcome is a program for all new international undergraduate and graduate students. During these sessions, you will learn more about your campus, Penn State resources, and connect with staff and other new international students. Please check the email address that you provided to Penn State for more details about your ISW. All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome.

For the University Park campus, the Spring semester International Student Welcome is on Sunday, January 12. Plan to arrive in State College by Saturday, June 11. The University Park campus is also hosting a virtual Arrival Information Session on Thursday, December 5. This session will provide information on how to arrive at State College, where to go on campus once you arrive, and meeting important Penn State Global staff.

If you are attending another (non-University Park) Penn State campus, please contact your global engagement coordinator for more information about your International Student Welcome and 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: Penn State Global Welcome Webinar

Graduate international students will be invited to attend an online Welcome Webinar hosted by Penn State Global. Topics include immigration, health insurance, campus safety, finance, housing scam awareness, and a panel with current Penn State international students. There are three webinar dates to choose from: May 21, June 27, or July 29. The May 21 date is recommended for students arriving for the Summer semester. You will receive an email in late April with registration details.

STEP TWO: In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

The Summer semester International Student Welcome is on Tuesday, June 25. Please check the email address that you provided to Penn State for more details in the coming weeks. All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome.

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:     Penn State Global Welcome Webinar

Undergraduate international students will be invited to attend an online Welcome Webinar hosted by Penn State Global. Topics include immigration, health insurance, campus safety, finance, housing scam awareness, and a panel with current Penn State international students. There are three webinar dates to choose from: May 21, June 27, or July 29. The May 21 date is recommended for students arriving for the Summer semester. You will receive an email in late April with registration details.

STEP 2:     NSO for International Students and Virtual Academic Advising

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. 

STEP 3:     In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

The Summer semester International Student Welcome is on Tuesday, June 25. Please check the email address that you provided to Penn State for more details in the coming weeks. All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome.

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: Penn State Global Welcome Webinar

Graduate students will be invited to attend an online Welcome Webinar hosted by Penn State Global. Topics include immigration, health insurance, campus safety, finance, housing scam awareness, and a panel with current Penn State international students. There are three webinar dates to choose from: May 21, June 27, or July 29. You will receive an email in late April with registration details.

STEP TWO: In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

The Fall semester International Student Welcome is on Friday, August 23. Please check the email address that you provided to Penn State for more details in the coming weeks. All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome.

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:     Penn State Global Welcome Webinar

Undergraduate international students will be invited to attend an online Welcome Webinar hosted by Penn State Global. Topics include immigration, health insurance, campus safety, finance, housing scam awareness, and a panel with current Penn State international students. There are three webinar dates to choose from: May 21, June 27, or July 29. You will receive an email in late April with registration details.

STEP 2:     NSO for International Students and Virtual Academic Advising

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. 

STEP 3:     In-Person Arrival and International Student Welcome

The Fall semester two-day International Student Welcome is on Wednesday, August 21 to Thursday, August 22. Please check the email address that you provided to Penn State for more details in the coming weeks. All international students who are arriving on campus for the first time must attend the in-person International Student Welcome.

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: