Geneva International Students' Program 2015

 GISP
 

The Geneva International Students' Program is an English language study abroad semester at the University of Geneva that combines interdisciplinary English modules with intensive French language study. 
 
The UNIGE is currently accepting applications for the 2015 GISP Session (Feb. 16-May 22, 2015). We accept applications until November 1st, 2014. Please apply online !
 
GISP Fast Facts 
  • an interdisciplinary Study Abroad semester at the University of Geneva taught in English 
  • 30 ECTS credits
  • live in one of the main centers of international governance
  • intensive French language courses over the course of the semester 
  • contact with experts in a variety of fields including international law, human rights, political science, economics, natural sciences, history, cultural studies and translation studies 
  • a field-oriented curriculum with visits to major international organizations like the UN, the WTO and the ILO and cutting-edge laboratories like the CERN
  • an international experience in a foreign university with small class size (30-35 students), direct interaction with esteemed professors, and administrative support from the Program Coordinator
  • Read GISP Alumni Testimonials

 

The Geneva International Students Program is a 1-Semester Study Abroad Program at the UNIGE

The GISP is an interdisciplinary Study Abroad semester at the University of Geneva. The program is designed for students seeking an enriching academic experience in one of the main centers of international governance. The GISP’s unique design combines intensive French language courses with a series of interdisciplinary course modules taught in English. We have brought together experts in a variety of different fields including international law, human rights, political science, economics, natural sciences, history, cultural studies and translation studies. GISP students benefit from a field-oriented curriculum that make the most of Geneva’s role in international affairs, with visits to major international organizations like the UN, the WTO and the ILO and cutting-edge laboratories like the CERN.

GISP students benefit from an international experience in a foreign university with small class size (20-30 students are admitted into the program each session), direct interaction with esteemed professors, and administrative and practical support from the Program Coordinator. Completion of the GISP will be rewarded with 30 ECTS credits.

Admission into the GISP represents admission into the program-only, and not acceptance at the University of Geneva. Participation in the GISP does not guarantee admission to the University of Geneva after the program.

Contact:

Jennifer Nkidiaka, GISP Coordinator
International Relations Office, Uni Mail R050
Université de Genève
40, bd du Pont-d'Arve
CH - 1211 Genève 4
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE ( 30 ECTS credits) 

MODULES (21 ECTS credits)

These 8 multidisciplinary modules (6 full modules and 2 half modules) are taught in English and run concurrently to the intensive French course. Each full module is assessed and worth 3 ECTS credits, 1/2 modules are worth 1.5 credits.

GISP modules are subject to change from year-to-year but the thematic orientation of the progran as a whole will remain the same. This Course Structure is an example.

Module 1: Historical Perspectives on Geneva's Intellectual, Cultural and Political Influence

This module is taught by three historians serves is a necessary background to Geneva and Switzerland.

Module 2: International Law and International Organizations

This module highlights some of the key contemporary issues in international law. It focuses more specifically on themes that have a close tie to Geneva: international organizations and dispute settlement.

Module 3: Global Change: Dynamics, Spaces and Response Mechanisms

While analyzing global dynamics of change by illustrating the case of primary recipients of change, cities, this module also surveys interactions between these spaces and other institutional actors at local and global levels. This module provides an overview of how global change has brought a new light to the importance of multilateral governance and how it can be empowered as to tackle daunting global environmental challenges.

Module 4: International Relations and International Political Economy

This module aims to present the multiple dimensions of contemporary international relations, and notably how these are shaped by some key institutions that constitute the “Genève internationale”.

Module 5: Science in Geneva

This module aims to present Geneva-based science and to address – from a global perspective - the current complexity of the scientific sector, be it its research, its technological and industrial stakes, its funding and communication challenges or its place in our society.

Module 6: European Integration, Europe and Switzerland

This module provides the main contours and implications of the process of European integration focusing on the EU political and legal system, the educational dimension of the EU project and on the Swiss relationship with the EU.

Module 7: Human Development

This course aims to introduce the students to a multidimensional notion of well-being and development.

Module 8: Multiculturalism / or Global Health / or Other topic

This module aims to address the main issues related to multiculturalism and plurilinguism, taking advantage of the example provided by Switzerland on these dimensions.

 

FRENCH CLASSES (9 ECTS credits)

Before beginning the GISP, students may wish to take an extra 2-week session of intensive French courses. There is the possibility to enrol either at the:

  • First session: every morning from 9 to 12am. The cost of this session is 400 CHF.
  • Second session: morning and afternoon, from 9 to 12 am and from 1 to 3pm. The cost of this session is 550 CHF.

Both session start Monday 2nd February and end Friday 13 February. French classes are not included in GISP fees and credits.

Throughout the program, students will be involved in an intensive French course in order to facilitate the University's "immersion" approach to learning French as a foreign language. The level of proficiency of students in French is assessed prior to the GISP, allowing the University to place them in a group of French-learners with similar strengths and weaknesses. The French course amounts to a total of approximately 90 hours. Specific needs can be catered to and the course may be specifically tailored for advanced language learners. Final assessments allow students to acquire up to 9 ECTS credits.

For more information, please visit maisondeslangues website.

Credits

GISP rewards participants with a total of 30 ECTS credits. Completion of the French classes amounts to 9 ECTS credits while Modules are worth 21 ECTS credits. Please note that the GISP Certificate of Attendance may only be delivered to a student who will have acquired more than half of the credits attached to the multidisciplinary modules.

The credits obtained are transferable to the students' home university. Some may also be recognized in the framework of University of Geneva MA Programs (depending on the internal rules of each faculty). 

Program Requirements

The GISP is open to all international undergraduate students (the GISP is not destined to students already at the University of Geneva). While strongly oriented toward Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, prior knowledge in these fields is not a pre-requisite.

To apply to the GISP, students must have

1. Prior university experience / enrollment

2. An elementary-to-intermediate knowledge of French, equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level A2, or

Applications from students with a lower level of French will be considered, however, the level of French they will reach at the end of GISP will not be sufficient for them to enroll directly at the University of Geneva should they wish to do so.

If you do not have a Certificate to prove your French level, the following link allows a self-assessment of your  level. Please provide this estimated level, along with a letter detailing your experience in French (courses taken, approximate number of hours of study).

3. An advanced level of English: mother tongue, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level C1, or:

The GISP is also open to graduate students and students who have finished their undergraduate and graduate studies. For graduate students and students who already hold a degree, a certificate of completion will be awarded (no credits).

Application Procedure

1. Applicants must apply online. 

2. Applicants must send the following to the GISP Coordinator by October 15th, 2014

  • Application letter (in English) stating why you want to take part in this program (500-800 words)
  • Fully-completed printed version of the online application form, duly signed and dated, with a passport-size photo attached
  • A photocopy of your passport (with the date of validity)
  • A photocopy of your high-school diploma/school-leaving certificate and transcript of university grades
  • A photocopy of your university degree (if applicable) and statement of grades
  • A résumé or curriculum vitae, giving full details of your education and language skills
  • Evidence of the required level of proficiency in both English and French

Nominated students from partner institutions must apply by August 30th, 2014.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by early November 2014.

Please send applications to:

Jennifer Nkidiaka
GISP Coordinator
International Relations Office
Uni Mail R050
Université de Genève
40, bd du Pont-d'Arve
CH - 1211 Genève 4
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuition Fees: 4000 CHF

The Geneva International Students’ Program is a fee-paying program.

Tuition fees are 4000 CHF (Swiss Francs) for the semester and include registration at the University of Geneva, French courses, participation in the GISP on-site activities, course materials and the GISP framework.

Students form partner institutions must be nominated by their university and submit their application by August 30th, 2014. They will benefit from special tuition considerations.

All applicants will be subject to the selection process of the GISP.

Once selected, students will be invited to make a down payment of 250 CHF (deductable from the total cost and non-refundable) as confirmation of their participation to the GISP.

Prospective GISP students should note that the cost of room and board in Geneva is very high. It is estimated at around CHF 1500.- per month.

GISP Award

1 Scholarship provided to the best GISP 2015 candidate

The University of Geneva will award 1 scholarship of 6'800 CHF for the best GISP 2015 candidate. Students must demonstrate academic merit and have the project of enrolling to a complete UNIGE Master program after the GISP.

The scholarship is reserved for non-exchange students.

Application procedure and granting criteria

Students applying to the GISP 2015 Award must necessarily select the corresponding box on the online application form and enclose the following documents to their application package:


  • Award application letter (300 words, in English) stating why he/she should be selected as one of the recipients of the scholarship that gives details about his/her academic project at the University of Geneva 

  • Two academic letters of recommendation

Applications will be evaluated by the GISP selection committee. GISP Award recipients will be informed of their acceptance together with the GISP acceptance letter that will be sent by early November.

A monthly amount of 1000 CHF will be given to GISP Award recipient from mid-February to mid-June (= 4000 CHF).

The remaining 2800 CHF will be given at the end of the program, under the following conditions:

  • Award recipient must have obtained all GISP ECTS Credits (successfully passed all GISP exams)

  • Award recipient must have undertaken the procedure for enrolling to a Master program at the University of Geneva for the September 2014 intake.

Visas

GISP students from countries that are non UE/AELE will need to complete applications for visa and entry “Demande d’autorisation de séjour pour étude (hors UE/AELE).

Demande d'autorisation de séjour pour études (hors UE/AELE)

Instructions

Students can refer to Instructions for help on completing the document. Students should aim to complete application procedures as soon as possible as some visas can take as long as 3 months. If you have any question on visa and entry procedure, please refer to the Swiss Federal Office for Migration websitewww.foreigners.ch. When booking your flight to Geneva, make sure you have the required visa for the countries via which you may transit.

Swiss citizens, citizens from AELE and EU-countries do NOT need a visa to enter Switzerland but do need to follow the procedure described in the “Demande d’autorisation de séjour pour études (UE/AELE)".

Housing

Temporary housing in Geneva is in very short supply and booking accommodation in advance is crucial. We have listed a number of options but successful GISP applicants will need to apply for at least option 1 and 2.

  1. Student hall central applications: Return the Bureau du Logement form as soon as possible and not after December 1, 2013 to the Bureau du Logement (by email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or by fax: +41 22 379 77 85). Regularly check your email for updates on your application. You can expect a reply by mid January.
  2. Cité Universitaire applications: Please return the Cite Universitaire form before November 30th 2013 to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or by fax: +41 22 379 22 23).
  3. Student Residences applications: Please make contact directly with the student residences listed in the brochure “List of Geneva Student Residences”
  4. Privately rented accommodation: you can apply independently for privately run accommodation in Geneva and neighboring France. We must however urge you to be cautious. Never send any money without thoroughly checking the existence of the said housing and that the landlord is legitimate. You may check the web-based phone directory.

 

Health Insurance

A valid health and accident insurance is obligatory to reside in Switzerland but not in neighboring France. Students who do not hold a European Health Insurance Card will need to have the “Check form for the equivalent of the Swiss Health Insurance” sent to their home insurance so that they can certify full coverage according to the specific Swiss rules for the duration of the program. Should such a certification not be possible, students will need to sign up for an Insurance upon arrival in Switzerland.

Check Form

GISP students can purchase insurance upon arrival in Switzerland for CHF 80.- per month (for students under age 30): http://www.servistudent.com or http://www.scorestudies.ch/fr/unige-hes-so

Students having valid private insurance for Switzerland: you must ask your insurance company to complete and sign the Check form for the equivalent of Swiss health insurance

This form must be signed by your insurance company and sent to:

Service cantonal de l’assurance-maladie (SAM )
Route de Frontenex 62 - 1207 Genève
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your insurance will not be recognized if you have not followed the procedure described above.

GISP Cancellation Policy 

Cancellation by the UNIGE

  • The UNIGE reserves the right to cancel the Geneva International Students' Program for whatever reason. The cancellation will be communicated on the website and maximum 2 weeks after the application deadline of the course (November 1st, 2014).
  • Any tuition payment will be refunded.
  • Travel and accommodation fees will not be refunded by the UNIGE and are the sole responsibility of the participants, who should keep this in mind when making travel and/or accommodation arrangements.

Cancellation by the Participant

  • If a participant cancels their enrolment, interrupts the course or ends it prematurely, the costs are as follows:
  • If the participant cancels more than 4 weeks before the start of the course, he/she will have to pay 25% of the full course fee, above and beyond the 250 CHF deposit.
  • If the participant cancels within 4 weeks of the start of the course or during the course, he/she will not receive a refund.