Switzerland evokes thoughts of crystal clear lakes, chocolate, fondue, and a sense of time that is universally respected. Perhaps most importantly, while studying in Geneva you can experience life in one of the world’s major centers for international governance. Known as the capital of peace, Geneva’s humanitarian traditions are carried through hundreds of NGOs, ongoing diplomatic missions, and European United Nations and Red Cross headquarters. Switzerland’s central location bordering Germany, France, and Italy offers the ideal vantage point for exploring all of Europe. The nation itself is quadrilingual, and this multicultural environment fosters a strong international relations program at the University of Geneva.
It was a unique experience to be in a bilingual, non-language class where French and English were spoken interchangeably with a range of accents like Australian, Russian, and Egyptian. It was my first experience being in such a diverse cohort with so much culture and tradition. I immediately appreciated what it meant to live in an international melting pot.