The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke to five students — from Hong Kong, Sudan, China, and Australia — who are excited for in-person learning, but concerned about cases in the United States compared to the more limited spread in their home countries. 

Penn’s campus is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but students with disabilities are struggling to find accessible entrances, navigate buildings without elevators, and secure accessible on-campus housing.

The fall 2021 semester marks the beginning of the University's new block schedule format, which created standardized class start times and eliminated the possibility of back-to-back classes.

The service will be offered for a full semester for the first time following its pilot launch last spring.

The 2021 Disorientation Guide, which was compiled by a coalition of student activist groups called the "People's Board," consists of articles about Penn's impact on students, staff, Philadelphia, and the world. 

Travel to seven countries resumed after Penn suspended study abroad programs in spring 2020 due to global travel restrictions and health risks. 

While students have eagerly awaited a return to in-person campus life, some are also feeling a sense of anxiety associated with in-person interactions.

After missing in-person New Student Orientation last fall, the Class of 2024 became the first sophomore class to attend a specialized second-year orientation program.

While some believe that contracting COVID-19 is inevitable on a full campus, students said they are not worried due to Penn's vaccination requirement. 

Campus organizations are using streaming, and video-conferencing platforms to make sure events are accessible to all members of the Penn community.

Clubs have the option to recruit new members in person, virtually, or both from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.

This year’s Convocation was markedly different from last year’s virtual ceremony, with students seated close together in front of College Hall — some without masks.

Students will need to be masked and vaccinated in order to enter their dorms.

Students can join various FGLI-oriented clubs and take advantage of academic resources.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most well-known amenities on campus, as well as their current COVID-19-related policies. 

The Daily Pennsylvanian reached out to Penn students and faculty for advice on how incoming first years, transfer students, and sophomores can succeed in their first in-person semester.

Members of the Class of 2024 will be able to participate in specialized programming overseen by the office of New Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives.