Penn offers various tools for students — including international students who represent 11% of the student body — to feel more acclimated within the University.
These resources include over 450 clubs and student organizations that help students navigate social, financial, and language barriers. Penn supports over 250 student organizations through the Student Activities Council, which provides funding, resources, and representation for clubs.
“As an API student during freshman year, it can feel difficult to adjust to an entirely new social setting here at Penn, but know that there is a community for you here whether it be a cultural group, performing arts group, or any other club or association on campus,” 2025 Wharton graduate Cameron Ito said in the Resource Guide for the Asian Pacific Student Coalition.
APSC is an alliance of the 32 Asian Pacific Islander student groups at Penn. It advocates for and promotes forums for discussion, action, and exploration of issues of concern to students.
Additionally, it celebrates the diversity of Asian culture through social and cultural events, including the Asian Pacific American Heritage Week and various performances. Events that APSC has thrown include a bake-off showdown, a field day featuring games and crafts, and various panels on alumni careers, affirmative action, leadership, and identity.
While the Asian Pacific Student Coalition brings together the API community, La Casa Latina serves as a welcoming space for those with Latinx backgrounds.
La Casa Latina is home to more than 20 different Latinx student groups, including the first and only Penn Latinx dance club and music club. La Casa Latina serves as a cultural hub, support space, and community builder, with the Latinx Coalition representing Latinx students at an administrative level.
“One of my most cherished memories at Penn is being on stage, whether dancing with Onda Latina, speaking at the Mujeres Empoderadas' annual symposium, or leading community discussions with Penn for Immigrant Rights,” 2025 College graduate Sandra Davalos said in an Instagram post from La Casa Latina. “Each moment on stage was more than a performance or speech; it was a platform to celebrate my culture, uplift my community, and lead with purpose.”
The Center welcomes anyone interested in Latinx culture and language, as well as the surrounding community of Philadelphia, offering a range of activities, including workshops, speaker series, and social events like the Latinx Heritage Month and the March of Flags.
La Casa Latina also hosts “Lightning Talks”, which are short conversations about navigating social and academic life at Penn, whether it be choosing a major or knowing more about graduate students. Those talks are led by their community’s students and workers.
In the same way La Casa Latina brings together the Latinx community, The Society for African Internationals at Penn offers a foundation to the African Community to transition from their home country to the Penn environment.
“Finding a safe and comfortable community that helps you grow in your academic, professional, and social life is crucial for college students. This is especially true for many of us, Africans, who are new to college and the US lifestyle.” 2019 College graduate and founder of the society, Adamseged Adebe, said in the club’s brochure.
The Society for African Internationals at Penn is a student-led organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the experiences of international students from Africa. They help students navigate their time at Penn while staying connected to their identities by offering mentorships, group study and tutoring sessions, professional development, and internship opportunities in Africa.
Their long-term goal is to find a physical location on campus and create a funded and recognized 4-year scholarship program for incoming first years.
These organizations, despite their different origins and events, were founded with the same purpose: to help students find a home on the University’s campus, anchoring them with their roots while also promoting a cross-cultural experience and meaningful friendships to anyone in the community who seeks it.
Wharton sophomore and Vice Chair of Political Affairs of APSC, Simon Thomas, agreed with the shared mission of the organizations.
“For any incoming international students at Penn, I urge you all to try and talk to as many people as you can. Penn is special, of course, because of the academics and opportunities, but so much of that is written in and driven by the people,” Thomas said. “You will interact with so many brilliant people and so I urge you all to learn as much as you can from everyone, and go out of your way to find new friendships.”
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