The Assembly of International Students is a student group at the University of Pennsylvania run and represented by students of global backgrounds, whether international or not. We organize activities including, but not limited to, International Student Orientation (ISO), mentorship programs, social events, conferences, alumni networking events, and the Student Ambassador Program. Since 2016, AIS has evolved as an umbrella organization representing and funding constituent groups of different nationalities, ethnicities and cultures.
We work closely with the student government, the university administration, and the International Student and Scholar Services to create tangible benefits for international student life, to magnify the voices of international students at Penn and beyond, and to promote collaboration and harmony between students of different nations and culture.
We achieve these aims by advocating for the interests of international students among other student groups, umbrella organizations, and the administration, and creating a social network through which international students can connect and utilize in pursuit of common goals and ideals.
All undergraduate students of the University of Pennsylvania, not just international students, are eligible for membership in the AIS. All members work in a committee that matches their interests and all committees are represented on the Steering Committee, our governing board.
Assembly of International Students Logo
Our Committees
INTERNATIONAL MENTORSHIP AND ORIENTATION
International Mentors at Work
International Mentorship and Orientation Committee aims to help international students adjust to their new life at Penn through organizing the International Mentorship Program as well as International Student Orientation (ISO). The IMO committee has successfully re-branded ISO as an integral part of New Student Orientation and have effectively lobbied to include it in the main NSO schedule, allowing the maximum number of incoming students to benefit from it. The IMO committee also hosts regular gatherings for international students to bond.
ALUMNI & EMPLOYMENT
The Alumni & Employment Committee regularly seeks to provide opportunities for students to experience the world of work through our New York and Philadelphia Career Trips, to find internships through partnerships with Penn’s Career Services, to gain support and advice through our Grad-Undergrad Mentorship Series, and to speak with alums through our Coffee Chat Series. The Committee also helps keep Alumni involved and informed through our recently-launched Alumni Newsletter.
Social
Winter Formal hosted by the Social Committee
The Social Committee organizes engaging social events with the intention of integrating the entire international community at Penn and creating a sense of community and belonging. The overarching goals of this committee is to help international students at Penn to strengthen the sense community among themselves as well as Penn and to explore American culture. We organize fun, social events such as dinners, barbecues, date nights, etc. We are always open to new ideas and welcome all students interested in working together and meeting new people.