International students, scholars and professionals new to the Delaware Valley are invited to attend, in their ethnic best dress, if they wish, this year's annual welcoming reception Friday, October 12, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event is held in the majestic Chinese Rotunda at Penn Museum, 3260 South Street on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

The yearly reception, which draws an ever-growing number of college and university international students from all over the world, is the only large-scale reception of its kind in the region. The free event is hosted by the Museum's International Classroom Program, with more than 45 area co-sponsors including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia University, The Art Institute of Philadelphia, LaSalle University, Widener University, Rowan University and as far away as the Kutztown University. Hype, a Penn performing arts group exploring multi-cultural styles and mediums of dance; Mutya, a Filipino dance group; Neo-African Drums 'n Dance performing arts group from LaSalle University; Accordion player Annie Hagert from the University of the Arts; and musicians from Rowan University will be performing at the reception.

Created in 1961, International Classroom is an innovative program within the University of Pennsylvania Museum, providing resources for international and multicultural education for a variety of ages using a broad range of presentations, lectures and workshops. Over the years, several thousand international students have participated in International Classroom programs, bringing to their presentations a first-hand perspective about a country or region. -- www.museum.upenn.edu