About The Program
Known as the “capital of peace,” Geneva’s humanitarian activities pulse through its ongoing diplomatic missions and headquarters to the European UN and Red Cross. With its worldwide influence, the University of Geneva is the best study abroad choice for advancing a degree in global and international studies. Take field trips to some of Geneva’s most famous agencies that deal with the complexities of peace and trade. Be sure to visit some of Switzerland’s most epic chalet towns, mountains, and lakes. Don’t miss the chance to try its world-famous chocolate or have a traditional fondue experience in a street café with friends.
Where you'll study
Attending university in Switzerland, with its bordering countries of Germany, France, and Italy, you’ll be in a global hub for diplomacy. The nation itself is quadrilingual. This multicultural environment is reflected in the University of Geneva’s student body and its academic strength in international relations. Keeping in step with the nation’s roots, it sponsors humanitarian hackathons with local start-ups every year. It’s also world-recognized for its excellence in research in the life sciences and pioneering use of digital technologies.
In this program, you’ll be attending classes at the University of Geneva’s Global Studies Institute, a modern, 5-year-old institute devoted to investigating complex global challenges. With hundreds of international organizations and multinational companies nearby, it is a privileged vantage point for studying the world. Ever engaged with the general public, the institute hosts regular conferences and symposiums open to broad audiences. Just down the road is the iconic Geneva fountain, Jet d’Eau, a tribute to the Swiss Confederation.
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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.
This internship allowed me to interact with an international community of people who are just as passionate about international relations as I am. I could ask the questions I've long had and learn more about events that I typically don't hear from American news outlets. Being in this environment propelled my passion for the field, and it was the push I needed to realize my goals.
Through my internship in Geneva, I developed the ability to identify and synthesize information from diverse sources to formulate due diligence assessments and written policy reports. I also strengthened my communication skills by learning to navigate the sensitivities of language on the international stage, becoming a more conscious and effective communicator with a deep awareness of my audience.
Working at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, I saw everything I had learned unfold in real time: human rights crises, development struggles, and global negotiations happened right in front of me and directly shaped my day-to-day work. From events like the AI for Good Global Summit to watching negotiations stall at the Plastic Conference, my coursework suddenly felt lived rather than theoretical. Even issues like UN budget cuts and job insecurity showed me how international relations play out in practice, not just in class.