Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Time In Geneva with the Institute March 01, 2026

By (International Relations, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/17/2025 to 12/19/2025 with

Geneva Graduate Institute - Undergraduate Semester Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely learned the importance of being independent and looking out for myself while at the program. Although help was available if I needed it, it didn't feel super accessible all of the time. Again, I did enjoy all of my classes and what I learned from them so I would consider it worthwhile. I was able to see and experience other European cultures due to the centrality of Switzerland as well, which was super enjoyable!

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.

I really enjoyed the classes I took there! The work required by the classes were a little less rigorous and intense when compared to the culture at Wellesley and had much less student support from the professors due to the Institute's standing as a Graduate Institute. Overall, I enjoyed my experience!

* 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? Yes

Although I had some struggles with being in Geneva and feeling at home there, I really enjoyed the academic experience I had at the Institute. What I walked away with after my time will continue to benefit me and my undergraduate studies and I can't imagine not having taken those classes.

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)

Geneva is not the most affordable of cities. I was able to make it work for my student budget, but I was sacrificing other opportunities to do so.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around 400 including rent (divided the rent's monthly expense into an expense per week)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Decide what you want to prioritize the most during your time abroad and use that to inform what you want to spend the most money on.

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

There were options to use french in classes or write papers in classes but it was not the main focus of the Institute's. You could participate in an intensive french course if you were so interested.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The classes
  • The location of the Institute
* What could be improved?
  • more communication with undergraduate students
  • more organization when it came to undergraduate programs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would feel the disconnect between me and the graduate students as a result of improper integration experiences and it would be hard for me to attend events as much of the information was not shared with me originally and had to be provided to me by a graduate student friend I had made.

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!