Academics & Advising

Study Abroad Overview

Globalization continues to play a pivotal role in business transactions and communication. To that end, Wharton encourages students to study abroad during their academic career. The study abroad experience teaches our students to communicate effectively across different cultures while learning business from multiple perspectives. Students often find their study abroad experience to be a defining moment in their educational and interpersonal growth.

Students interested in studying abroad should begin planning at least one year in advance and meet with specialized regional advisors in the Wharton Undergraduate Division and the Office of International Programs. Most students choose to go abroad as juniors.

Students applying for a study abroad program must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and achieve a minimum 3.0 term GPA for the two semesters (excluding summer) prior to the semester abroad. Applicants must also be in good academic and disciplinary standing and meet any additional criteria outlined by the Office of International Programs. All courses abroad must be taken for grades, which are subsequently calculated into the Penn cumulative GPA.

There are four major types of opportunities that Penn offers abroad: Wharton-approved study abroad programs, Penn-approved study abroad programs, Wharton International Program (WIP), and Non-Penn summer abroad programs.