Along with the usual parade of dorm furniture and school supplies, the Class of 2010 will also bring a stronger international flavor than any of its predecessors when they officially begin moving onto campus today.
The newest 2,386 members of the Penn family bring with them 280 students hailing from abroad -- in addition to 11 students from Puerto Rico and one from the Virgin Islands.
The incoming class of 2009 had a similar international representation of 281 students. But this year's class is smaller -- last year's incoming class totaled 2,566 -- putting its international community at a higher percentage.
For Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson, that international representation will set the Class of 2010 apart from the ones before it.
"It will bring the richness of cross-cultural backgrounds and help the levels of debate on campus," Stetson said.
Like Stetson, many freshmen foresee meaningful exchange arising from the class' distinctive makeup.
"One of the reasons I applied to Penn was the international diversity," said Wharton freshman Sagar Shah.
"I think that interacting with people from different backgrounds is challenging and fun," Shah said, noting that not all of the 72 nationalities in his class get along.
Stetson added that Penn's popularity overseas is an example of the school's outreach to other countries, as well as its continuously expanding marketplace for prospective students.
The school's popularity has notably risen in Brazil, where new students say its appeal has become infectious.
"I loved to hear how people here work hard, however do not foster a library-hibernating atmosphere," said College freshman Jorge Perdomo, who is one of 14 students from Brazil.
"Coming from Brazil, I need a vibrant social atmosphere, and I'm sure that Penn offers that in many ways that top schools don't."
Thrilled about her class' international character, Carlotta Siniscalco, a Wharton freshman from Italy, echoed her peers.
"The more diverse, the better," she said.
