Smith in Geneva

The program begins with a three-week orientation including intensive French language study, culture and history courses, and excursions. During the semester, students study in French and/or English and follow one of the three program tracks.

Choose Your Curricular Track

Track A. International Internship Program

Intern at an international organization at least three days per week; study French; take the core Humanitarianism and Practicum courses at the Smith Center; enroll in at least one Graduate Institute or University of Geneva course. Available fall or spring; can be combined with Track B or C for a year-long option. Applicants for the fall semester may apply with no prior French study.  Applicants for the spring semester are expected to have at least one semester of college-level French or the equivalent.

Track B. University Studies Program

This track welcomes students from every discipline in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. Students take French at the Smith Center and choose additional courses at the University of Geneva according to their interests, major and level of French. Available for the academic year for students with two years of college-level French or equivalent; and spring for students with at least one year of French or equivalent.

Track C. International Relations Program

Enroll in four Smith Center and Graduate Institute courses each semester, including French language. Take a core Humanitarianism course at the Smith Center along with other International Studies/Development courses at the Graduate Institute. Available fall or spring. Can be combined with Tracks A or B for a year-long option. Applicants for the fall semester may apply with no prior French study.  Applicants for the spring semester are expected to have at least one semester of college-level French or the equivalent.

Resident Academic Director: Geneviève Piron, Ph.D.
Smith Faculty Liaison: Brent Durbin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Government
Local program staff: Aurélia Cochet

The year in Geneva begins with a three-week orientation to prepare students for academic and cultural life in Geneva. The orientation is organized in three parts: French language courses, familiarization with everyday life (practical tours, scavenger hunts), and site visits (City Tours, United Nations, Museums, etc.)

French language classes include classroom and outside the classroom sessions in order to help students to find their way into the urban geography and culture of Geneva. Students practice oral and written French communication in immersion classes (small groups, 2-3 levels). Courses in Swiss Francophone Literature and History of Switzerland and Geneva are given to advanced and high intermediate students.

A two-day trip outside the city of Geneva (for ex., Burgundy, Swiss Mountains) concludes the orientation.

Students apply to one of three program tracks in Geneva. Students in all tracks are expected to study French or take a course taught in French each semester. Students are expected to take at least one University of Geneva or Graduate Institute course per semester.

Course Requirements by Curricular Track

Track A: International Internship Program

Students admitted to this track intern in an international organization at least three days per week and take the following courses:

• Themes and Issues in International History: Humanitarianism, State-Building, and Development (taught in English)
• Practicum in International Organizations
• At least one University of Geneva or Graduate Institute course, in French or English
• French language course at the Smith Center, depending on language ability

Track B: University Studies Program

Students admitted to this track enroll in four to five courses each semester.

• Two to three university courses in French or English, depending on language ability
• One or two Smith Center courses
• French language course at the Smith Center, depending on language ability

Track C: International Relations Program

Students admitted to this track enroll in four to five courses each semester.

• Two courses at the Graduate Institute (usually in English, French available)
• Smith Center core course: Themes and Issues in International History: Humanitarianism, State-Building, and Development (taught in English)
• French language course at the Smith Center, depending on language ability
• One additional university course in French or English may be available with permission of the Director and Smith College

Recent Internship Placements

A sample of recent internship placements includes:

• American Citizens Abroad (ACA)
• Centre Catholique International de Genève (CCIG)
• Center for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development (CSEND)
• Child Rights Connect (CRC)
• Defense for Children International (DCI)
• Democrats Abroad
• Fédération internationale de l'Action des chrétiens pour l'abolition de la torture (FIACAT)
• Global Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (GIWEH)
• Global Migration Policy Association (GMPA)
• International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
• International Bridges to Justice (IBJ)
• International Center for Migration, Health and Development (ICMHD)
• International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD)
• International Communications Volunteers
• International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA)
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• International Publishers Association (IPA)
• Kenes Associations Worldwide
• Plan International
• World Heart Federation (WHF)

Please be sure you meet Smith College's eligibility requirements for approval to study abroad. In addition, Smith in Geneva has its own program-specific requirements. Women and men from four-year colleges are invited to apply. All program tracks require a 3.0 GPA. 

Curricular Track Requirements

Track A: International Internship Program

• There is no French language requirement for the fall semester. For spring semester, students must have completed at least one semester of college-level French or equivalent required; ability to communicate in elementary French expected
• Evidence of maturity, responsibility and preparation for study abroad and interning in an international organization

Track B: University Studies Program

• Two years of college-level French or equivalent required for full-year enrollment; at least one year of French or equivalent required for spring enrollment
• Evidence of maturity, responsibility and preparation for study abroad

Track C: International Relations Program

• There is no French language requirement for the fall semester. For spring semester, students must have completed at least one semester of college-level French or equivalent required; ability to communicate in elementary French expected
• Background in political science, government, or economics
• Evidence of maturity, responsibility and preparation for study abroad

Application Materials

• Smith Programs Abroad Application
• Language Recommendation
• Non-language Faculty Recommendation
• Personal statement
• Copy of passport

Applicants from other colleges must also submit:

• Home School Statement of Support
• Official transcript
• Original sample of written work in language of the program which has been submitted for a course and graded by an instructor

Students can find the application materials and apply to a Smith Program Abroad online using the new Smith International Travel Experiences System (SITES) by clicking on the appropriate log in option below.

Smith Student Log In  Guest Student Log In

 Before applying to a Smith Program Abroad be sure to:

• Read the Guide for Education Abroad
• Meet with a peer adviser to ask questions, discuss plans or explore options.
• Confer with your major adviser and the departmental study abroad adviser.

2023-24 Semester Fees

Coverage

The Smith Program Abroad fees in Florence, Geneva, Hamburg and Paris include intensive language instruction, cultural orientation, tuition, academic advising, assistance with university enrollment (if applicable) and course selection, supplemental study abroad insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, excursions and cultural events, room, board, cell phones or SIM cards, and the services of on-site directors

Smith Program Abroad fees do not include international travel, passport and visa fees, books and art supplies, and personal expenses including phone calls.

Financial Aid

Smith College students are eligible for financial aid on the same basis as when they are studying in Northampton (with a few exceptions). For questions about Smith financial aid related to study abroad on a Smith program, please visit Student Financial Services.

Smith College does not provide financial aid to students from other institutions; those students should contact their own college for financial aid assistance.

Health Insurance

All students enrolled in one of the four Smith Programs Abroad are automatically covered by a supplemental study abroad insurance policy through GeoBlue.

GeoBlue Student Member Guide (PDF)

Please note that this is a supplemental plan only. All students participating in these programs are also required to be covered by a U.S.-based primary health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Smith College student health insurance plan through Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at the beginning of the term abroad.

For students who are U.S. citizens, this insurance plan may be waived online at Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk if the student has another primary health insurance policy that provides comparable coverage. International students are required to be covered by the Smith College student health insurance plan through Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk as you would on campus.

More information about insurance is available on our Health & Safety section.

Visas for Studying in Switzerland

The Swiss government requires all students who are not EU citizens to obtain a student visa before arriving in Geneva. The Office for International Study (OIS) will facilitate a group visa application process for students studying on the Geneva program.

Students must submit a copy of their passport valid six months beyond the end of their studies in Geneva with their Smith program application. Proof of application for a passport or proof of passport renewal such as a receipt will be accepted.

Students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students with valid U.S. visas) will submit all the required visa application materials to the OIS by the stated deadlines. The OIS will in turn submit the visa application materials to the Swiss Consulate in New York approximately 14 weeks in advance of the program start date. Processing may take up to eight weeks. Students will be notified by OIS when their visa applications have been approved. Students will then send their passports to the New York Consulate for visa issuance.

Things to Consider

Because students must send their passports to the New York Consulate for about a week in late July or early August, international travel during this time is strongly discouraged. Students who arrive in Switzerland without student visas will have to return to the U.S. to obtain the student visa.

Please note that students who stay in Switzerland during the summer are responsible for all living expenses, visa requirements, medical insurance, etc.