A Summer of Continental Shifts: Immersion Takes the Class of 2028 Around the World

Published June 23, 2026

Scroll through to see photos from all our programs →

Three people posing in front of a large red gate at Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan. The gate features a giant paper lantern and is surrounded by several visitors.
The East and Southeast Asia–Japanese program visited the Kaminarimon Gate outside Sensō-ji Temple in Tokyo’s historic district of Asakusa.
A group of people standing and posing in front of a Michelin sign inside a bright, modern building.
The Global program visited the regional headquarters of Michelin in Greenville, South Carolina, where they learned about the supply chains that support the company’s various manufacturing processes and product lines, as well as Michelin’s Innovation Lab.
A group of people standing on a colorful street decorated with hanging umbrellas and international flags. The street is lined with vibrant murals on the walls.
The Latin America-Spanish program stops for a photo in "Umbrella Street" (Calle de las Sombrilla) during a tour of Bogotá’s historic La Candelaria district.
A small group of people standing in front of a South Korean flag, outdoors with trees in the background.
The East and Southeast Asia–Korea program visited the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, an organization that educates and trains South Korean diplomats. Students met with experts to discuss international relations and security issues.
Two people standing in front of an ancient stepwell with arches and stone walls.
The SAMENA-Hindi program visited a historic Delhi stepwell, an architectural structure designed to collect and conserve water. For centuries, stepwells provided reliable access to water during the dry season.
A group of people posing on a staircase inside a building, with a sign in French in the background.
The Europe-French program stand with the leadership of Alliance Française De Paris and Lauder Director, Jules van Binsbergen. Alliance Française, which hosts the French immersion each year, is an international organization that promotes French language and francophone culture around the world.
A small group of people sitting at a table outdoors, enjoying a meal with various dishes. The setting includes a blue tablecloth and a backdrop of trees and buildings.
Students from the SAMENA-Arabic program are treated to a homemade lunch at VeryNile in Cairo, an environmental initiative dedicated to cleaning the Nile River while economically empowering local communities.
A group of people standing in front of the Centre d'Études des Sciences et Techniques de l'Information (CESTI), holding a banner for The Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania.
Students from the Africa-French program stand outside the Centre d'Études des Sciences et Techniques de l'Information (CESTI), the host institution for their daily French-language instruction and lectures in Dakar, Senegal.
A small group of individuals standing together in front of a podium, with flags, including Lithuania and EU, in the background.
The Europe-Russian Program toured the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, where they observed a parliamentary session and met with a member of parliament.
A small group of people posing in front of a historic cathedral with twin spires, surrounded by tall palm trees in an urban setting.
The Latin America–Portuguese program toured historical sites around São Paulo, stopping for a photo outside Catedral da Sé.
A group of people standing together indoors, holding a sign for "The Lauder Institute Wharton-Arts & Sciences University of Pennsylvania." A screen behind them displays logos for UNITAR and CIFAL.
The East & Southeast Asia-Mandarin program met with leaders from CIFAL Shanghai, a member of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Students learned about CIFAL's efforts to strengthen local government capacities in smart city development and urban governance.
A couple standing in an ornate room with marble walls, a statue, and framed portraits. They are dressed in casual yet neat attire.
The Europe-Spanish program visited the Congreso de los Diputados in Madrid, the lower chamber of Spain’s national parliament. Students met with a member of its governing body and discussed the chamber’s role within Spain’s parliamentary system.
A few people stand on a rooftop or balcony, conversing under a European Union flag waving in the breeze. They overlook a cityscape with historical architecture.
Students from the Europe-Italian program enjoy views of Bologna from its historic clock tower.
A group of people standing indoors, holding a banner that reads "The Lauder Institute, Wharton, Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania." The room has flags and a crest on the wall.
The Africa-General program meets with Mombasa County Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Noor Hassan, HSC, to discuss regional security strategy and coordination with Kenya’s National Government.

The Lauder Institute’s Summer Immersion is underway for the Class of 2028, with students participating in programs spanning 20 cities around the world.

A cornerstone of Lauder’s MA in International Studies joint-degree with the Wharton MBA or Penn Carey Law JD, the six-week summer immersion pairs academic study with on-the-ground experiences designed to deepen regional expertise.

For students in Lauder’s language programs, immersion is anchored around intensive daily instruction and meetings in the target language. Lectures, organizational visits, and cultural experiences throughout the six weeks examine local and national issues through the lens of Lauder’s core geopolitical themes and accelerate language acquisition.

Newly launched this year is a Spanish-language track in the Europe Program, the Institute’s second Spanish-language offering alongside the longstanding Latin America-Spanish program, which centers its immersion experience in Colombia.

Students in the inaugural Europe-Spanish cohort say the experience is already having an impact.

“It’s amazing how much progress you can make when the language becomes part of your daily life,” says Filip Kesecki (G’28, WG’28), who will be based in Madrid for six weeks.

Kristina Pompilio (G’28, L’28), also a member of the inaugural Europe-Spanish cohort, adds that learning about the culture and history of Spain through Madrid’s museums, cultural institutions, and universities has been “an incredible aspect of immersion.”

Another change to this year’s summer program is the relocation of the SAMENA-Arabic immersion to Egypt after several years in Tunisia. The American University in Cairo, one of the region’s leading academic and cultural institutions, will serve as the program’s host site for six weeks. “Cairo’s scale, historical significance, and role as a regional hub will provide students with a unique perspective on contemporary issues across the Middle East and North Africa,” says Mili Lozada-Cerna, Faculty Director of Lauder’s Language and Culture Programs.

Alongside Lauder’s language programs, students in Lauder’s non-language programs (Global and Africa General) follow multi-country itineraries that examine geopolitical themes through a comparative lens and across diverse national contexts. Participants in the Global Program are spending time in the United States, Kenya, the Philippines, and Taiwan, while students in the Africa General Program are visiting Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. Their immersions include academic seminars, corporate visits, and cultural excursions that explore the connections between local economies and broader international trends.■

Story by Lauren Treutler