A good program if you are interested in international affairs August 05, 2023

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/20/2023 to 06/01/2023 with

Geneva Graduate Institute - Undergraduate Semester Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Although I experienced a lot of inconveniences in Geneva, from the housing administration to the Cantonal Population and Migration Office, the program gave me exposure to international organizations and development studies, which I otherwise would not have received. I also learned how to live independently.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

As an economics major and statistics minor, the program didn't align with my interests. Most of the courses were focused on international relations and law. I also encountered a lot of difficulties with the Population and Migration Office.

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? 250 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be sure to cook your own food, as it will save you a lot of money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? high school french
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

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
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Master level courses
  • trips to international organizations
  • gave me an opportunity to explore Europe
* What could be improved?
  • better accommodation for students
  • more guidance on applying for a temporary residence permit
  • It would be better if the program administrator was more responsive. There were times when I would receive a response from them a week after I sent them an email.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the school only allowed undergrads to take elective courses before applying to the program. Because of this, I wasn't able to take courses that correlated with my major at Wellesley.