SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

I had a fabulous time studying abroad in Switzerland with SIT. Top features that stand out to me are the homestay experience and the opportunity for travel. Living with a homestay family is so incredibly valuable. Not only is it a home away from home, but it gives the amazing opportunity to learn more about Swiss culture and to practice language skills. Additionally, travel was a highlight of my time abroad. The program gives students a GA travel card on the Swiss travel pass which means you can ride all the trains in Switzerland in for free. It is actually hard to overstate how amazing this was. With the Swiss travel pass I could go on excursions without having to stress about money. The academic side of the program is very solid. Compared to other study abroad programs, the level of workload is relatively higher. However, compared to my home university, the rigor of the courses was not very intense. If you manage your time, there is plenty of time to travel every weekend. Just know that for the first few months of the program you have class five days a week. The independent study project in the last month of the program was great! There are no course classes during this period, so you can travel and work on your project simultaneously. While people may be tempted to travel to foreign destinations, I would really encourage people to travel within Switzerland as much as possible. The program size is relatively small, so it is easier to make friends than in the massive study abroad programs. You take all the same classes with your classmates so you get to know everyone very well. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place as Switzerland for a semester.

Switzerland is a beautiful country and I love being able to say that I lived and studied there for a time. Geneva is a great place to study international relations and I really stepped out of my comfort zone and gained a lot of confidence through this program and just by being there. My host family was amazing and inviting and helped my French improve immensely. I had several experiences that helped me grow personally and professionally. There could've been some more structure/organization on the academic side but it was an overwhelmingly positive study abroad experience that I recommend to anyone considering it.

Switzerland is a remarkable country with so much to offer. I decided to participate in SIT's program because it allowed me the opportunity to stay with a Swiss family and blend into a pocket of Europe for an entire Spring. I traveled almost every weekend with a group of close friends from the program. Each city was different and charming in its own way. SIT understands the priorities of students attending: a study of global affairs mixed with a hands on taste of the international world.

SIT facilitates access to the World Bank, the UN, and other important epicenters of international politics. Additionally, the final project and its research requirements does an excellent job in stretching the students to find subject-matter-experts and conducting research. As a result, I learned significant lessons on obtaining my own data and networking with professionals.

My experience in the SIT International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy program in Geneva, Switzerland was truly wonderful. I was amazed by the variety of instructors that lectured us on their respective fields of study, covering a wide range of topics that you cannot possibly cover in a simple university class at home. In addition, the opportunity to numerous international and multilateral organizations in Geneva was incredible. These included visits to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization, etc. My cohort felt very lucky to meet impressive leaders in the field of peacebuilding, economics, and more. I also would recommend Geneva's location as it is in the center of Europe, making it easy to travel both abroad and within Switzerland!