Bursting the Penn bubble: A first year’s guide to exploring Philadelphia

By going to school in Philadelphia, Penn students can access a culturally rich, vibrant city with so much to explore beyond campus. While it may feel easiest to stay within the “Penn bubble” close to campus, there are plenty of ways to burst it — exploring Philadelphia while giving back, too. Penn operates its own bus services that run Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily. Evening shuttles are available seven days a week within campus boundaries and, during limited hours, into Center City. These services are free with a PennCard, as are Drexel University buses. Penn also offers numerous opportunities to engage with the neighboring community. These include Academically Based Community Service courses — known by their acronym, ABCS — which allow Penn students to connect with West Philadelphia students while earning academic credit. These courses are offered by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, a hub for Penn’s community engagement, which also offers other volunteer opportunities that include math and writing tutoring, sports, food security, and mental health support.  

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