Welcome to Penn State Berks!

Welcome, 欢迎, वेलकम, 환영합니다, 歡迎, Selamat Datang, خوش آمدید , வரவேற்கிறேன், Bienvenidos, Bienvenue, خوش آمدید, Susvaagatham, ようこそ, Akwaaba, Willkommen, ברוכים הבאים, Benvenuto, Тавтай морилно уу, Nwao, добро пожаловать, Bienvenidos, ยินดีต้อนรับ, Hoşgeldiniz, Вітаємо, Chào mừng bạn, خوش آمديد, Karibu'

Now that you have been offered admission to Penn State Berks, you probably have a lot of questions about preparing for your arrival. Don't fret! Our international student support staff have put together resources to help ease your transition and set you up for success as an incoming Penn Stater.

International Student Welcome (ISW)

International Student Welcome (ISW) is designed to help you learn about the campus and the resources available and help you in making connections before the rest of the new students arrive and classes begin. All new, new-to-campus, and transfer international students should plan to attend the ISW. The in-person welcome session will include: 

  • Campus and community resources
  • Campus tour
  • Immigration Session
  • Shopping Trip
  • Fun activities with the international student mentors
All new international students are required to attend an International Student Welcome event. Arrival day for international students is August 21, International Student Welcome is scheduled for August 22-23. Please plan your travel, arrival and housing arrangements accordingly.
Register for an International Student Welcome

Arriving to the United States

Arrival Day

New international students beginning in the fall semester should plan to arrive to campus on Wednesday, August 21. On this day, you can move into your dorm, establish a bank account and U.S. cell phone number, and get your Penn State ID card. You will not be granted access to your on-campus space any earlier than this date. We will be providing transportation from Philadelphia airport the morning of August 21. When you sign up for the welcome, ensure you select if you will require transportation.
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: We recommend that you arrive BEFORE August 21 and stay in a local hotel so you can recover from jetlag and be ready to begin sessions on arrival day. We have a room block at the Hampton Inn Reading/Wyomissing. Rooms are available for $109 per night plus tax. We can provide transportation the morning of the welcome if you decide to stay at that hotel. See "Hotel Information" below for booking instructions.

Flight Information

Penn State Berks will provide transportation to campus for international students arriving to the Philadelphia Airport on the morning of Wednesday, August 21. We recommend you finalize transportation arrangements before traveling to the United States.

Other than this arranged travel date, Penn State Berks does not provide transportation from the airport to campus, though there are several travel options available. All airports will require you to then take public or private transportation to campus. 

Airport options:

  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — Approximately 60 miles from Penn State Berks.  
  • Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) — Approximately 60 miles from Penn State Berks.  
  • John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York – Once you arrive at the airport, you can take public transportation to NYC where you can take a bus to Reading, PA.
  • Newark International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey – Once you arrive at the airport, you can take public transportation to NYC where you can take a bus to Reading, Pennsylvania.   

Hotel Information

If you plan to arrive before the designated move-in day, you will need to stay in a hotel. We have arranged Penn State discounted rates with the Hampton Inn Reading/Wyomissing, with rooms available for $109 per night plus tax. Other hotels also may offer discounts, but we recommend calling to ask before booking a room. 

If you choose to stay at the Hampton Inn Reading/Wyomissing, you must reserve your room by Tuesday, August 6. There are a few options to secure the special rate:

Housing

Penn State Berks proudly offers on-campus housing in The Woods houses and The Village suites. If you plan to live on campus, you must sign the Housing and Food Services (HFS) contract. You are not obligated to live on campus until you accept the HFS contract; once accepted, the HFS contract cannot be cancelled (unless you are no longer enrolled at Penn State).  
 
If you plan to live off campus, please ensure you sign a lease and move in in time to attend International Student Welcome, or make arrangements to stay in a hotel.

Important reminders when traveling

  • Keep your passport (with visa), Penn State admission letter, I-20 or DS-2019, and financial documents in your carry-on bag or personal item during your travel to the U.S. You will need to access these documents during your travel. DO NOT put these documents in your checked luggage.
  • Upon arrival at the U.S. port-of-entry, present the following documents to Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
    • Passport with valid and appropriate visa;
    • printed and signed I-20 or original DS-2019;
    • Customs Declaration Card; and
    • your financial documents.
  • Keep your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, money, and other valuables with you at all times in your carry-on. 

Prepare for your life at your new home

  • If you will be living off campus, move into your new home with enough time to get comfortable before the International Student Welcome.
  • Learn more about the Reading, Pennsylvania area.
  • Check out our current international student page for more information about being an international student at Penn State Berks.
  • Get to know the student mentors.
  • Follow us on Instagram!