Penn Abroad Updates 2026 Study Abroad Process After Feedback

• Penn Abroad updates study abroad process to ensure equal access for students.
• The new holding period prevents early application competition among students after advising.
• Applications for Fall 2026 open Nov. 17, with three key deadlines.

Penn Abroad has revealed multiple alterations to the study abroad application procedure, claiming these adjustments will enhance equity and better cater to student requirements.

Last month, the changes were revealed following major updates to the process that were carried out last spring. In a discussion with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Greta Kazenski, the associate director of Penn Abroad, characterized the modifications as a move towards “equal access” for all programs.

“The biggest change is that we have a holding period now in between when students attend their advising session and when they are allowed to open their application for the first time and submit that request form,” Kazenski said.

In the past, students were able to access their applications immediately after finishing a group advising session, resulting in what Kazenski referred to as, “competition between students to get an earlier advising session.” She mentioned that the updated holding period will guarantee that every student has an equal chance to submit applications, no matter when they plan an advising appointment.

The updated timeline was revealed in reaction to last year's cycle, where sessions quickly reached capacity and students indicated significant stress levels, as stated by Kazenski. Along with the new holding period, group advising sessions will now take place at different times each week instead of set slots.

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The form for applying to study abroad for Fall 2026 or the 2026-27 academic year will be available starting on Nov. 17. After approval of a request to launch an application, three associated deadlines follow - Jan. 20, Feb. 15, and March 1 - based on the program's level of competitiveness.

Students are required to ask for their application to be opened at least 10 days before the deadline; a guideline Kazenski mentioned is meant to guarantee students have sufficient time to consult with their academic advisors before submission. In March 2025, Penn Abroad also implemented a set of modifications to the application process, such as a limit on the number of applications that can be initiated during each advising cycle.