A Semester Full of Experiences! January 03, 2022

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/20/2021 to 12/23/2021 with

Geneva Graduate Institute - Undergraduate Semester Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I took more challenging courses in areas I hadn't explored before and got to practice some of my French skills. It was certainly worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My graduate level electives were great and very engaging. However, the classes the institute designed specifically for undergraduates were dry and not particularly challenging. Because everyone was taking them, they did not interest me specifically which may be part of the reason I did not enjoy them as much.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was great and beyond helpful if we needed anything. They made the transition very easy.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The new residences I lived in were very nice and well priced. However, the way they did rent invoices/payments was unorganized and mildly stressful. Additionally, the dorms are not in old town which is seen as the "true" Geneva experience, though there is a bus stop across the street.

* Food:

N/A I cooked myself

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not feel like the institute did a good job of integrating us into the culture-- that was really something students had to do alone. There were weekly "immersion" sessions but these were used to discuss careers in Geneva and meet with professionals rather than focus on local sites, food, culture, etc.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A I didn't have any experiences with this.

* Safety:

The city felt extremely safe as did the student housing.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80-$100 not including extra trips I took

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Meeting International Students
  • Graduate Electives
* What could be improved?
  • Immersion
  • Rent Process
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I feel it was all well outlined ahead of time.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!