GAPSA International Student Affairs Application (2023-2024)

Thank you for your interest in our committee! The deadline for this application is Thursday, 10/5/2023, at 11:59 p.m. However, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible since the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, please reach out to GAPSA International Student Affairs Director (Gaurav Mangal) at gapsa.international@gapsa.upenn.edu. We are looking forward to getting to know you!

About GAPSA and our committee: http://www.gapsa.upenn.edu/positions

GAPSA International Student Affairs (ISA) Committee advocates on behalf of about 5,000 international graduate and professional students at the University of Pennsylvania. As a governing body within GAPSA (Graduate and Professional Student Assembly), the ISA Committee works with different partners to organize various events and cultural celebrations, as well as providing advocacy and support on different fronts for the international student community at UPenn. 

GAPSA ISA Members will be expected to attend committee meetings, work on specific projects pertaining to international student issues, interact regularly with University administrators and staff, and serve as a representative for the international student community at UPenn. 

Key priorities areas for ISA Committee during the 2023-2024 academic year are to:

(1) Advocate for international students on different fronts by working closely with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Assembly of International Students (AIS), as well as other university offices, administrators, and student groups.

(2) Work on different initiatives and organize events to promote and support international students' academic, physical, and mental wellness at UPenn.

(3) Collaborate with other branches of GAPSA and different student groups to ensure integration and social engagement for international students amidst the transition back to in-person campus activities. Foster stronger cross-cultural relationships between international and domestic graduate students by planning and coordinating virtual and in-person social events, forums, and initiatives.

(4) Working toward having a more unified presence for Graduate international students through Graduate Alliance for International Student Organizations (GAISO) together with ISSS.

** NOTE** Membership in our ISA Committee is extended to both international AND domestic students. All current UPenn graduate and professional students are welcome to apply!

GAPSA International Student Affairs Committee is looking for members to fill the following roles:

• FINANCIAL & EVENT PLANNING (2):
  Support ISA Committee to manage its budget and ensure appropriate and strategic use of our funds.
• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVOCACY (2):
  Connect GAPSA to partners such as the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) and advocate on behalf of international graduate and professional students at Penn.
• PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATION (1):
  Promote our presence and help connect international graduate and professional students on various social media platforms, including ISSS's Your World@Penn. 
• DATA ANALYST & RESEARCH (1):
  Support ISA Director in collecting data on international graduate students at Penn and peer institutions to advocate for students' behalf to the administration effectively.
• External Affairs & Outreach (2): Work with other GAPSA committees across different divisions and outreach to GAPSA Research/Professional/Ideal councils on international graduates students' issues.
• GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBER (about 3-6): Support committee in areas and different initiatives as needed.

(*) The number of people for each position is subject to change.