Internships in Geneva, Switzerland

Spring: January 14 – April 11, 2009
Summer: May 6 – August 1, 2009
Fall: September 2 – November 28, 2009

Sponsored by James Madison College, the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Social Science, and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program is designed to engage students in a variety of experiential opportunities that reflect their career interests and provide an academic component to reflect upon their professional development. The program will be hosted by European Study Abroad (EUSA) – an educational organization in partnership with Boston University. EUSA has an office and staff located in Geneva. EUSA will secure internships based on a resume, statement of interest and an on-campus or phone interview. In Geneva, EUSA will provide internship oversight and 24-hour emergency response.

Opportunities are available for unpaid internships in the international organization sector (governmental and non-governmental).  Examples of such organizations with offices in Geneva include (but are not limited to):

What can I study?

The program facilitates the integration of experiential opportunities and related academic assignments.  All internship placements will be in English-speaking offices. Given the location in a predominantly French-speaking city, students will be encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to use their French-language skills outside of the internships. 

The program will begin with three days of orientation. Internships are undertaken on a four-day/week basis for the subsequent 11.5 weeks.

James Madison students must enroll in nine credits of MC 400 and three credits of MC 401.

Arts & Letters students must enroll in 12 credits of AL 493B.

Communication Arts and Sciences majors must enroll in COM 493 and CAS 492 for a combined total of 8 to 12 credits.

Social science majors must enroll in SSC 493 for a total of 12 credits.

While students from the sponsoring colleges will receive priority in the case we receive a large number of applications, faculty leaders will work to arrange participation by students from other colleges.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Eligibility for enrolling in internship credits and academic requirements of those credits will be determined by the responsible academic unit.

All applicants will be screened for eligibility for credit, academic seriousness and maturity, and records of behavior with Judicial Affairs. However, preference will be given to students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students who do not meet this requirement may discuss their eligibility with the appropriate internship coordinator.

Applicants must submit, as part of their application, a statement of purpose and a detailed resume that indicates their level of seriousness and preparation for the internship.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Accommodations will be at le Cenacle, a former monastery located in central Geneva, now operated as a conference center.  Students will have private rooms with shared baths and wireless internet access. Breakfast will be provided daily, and students will have full access to kitchen facilities for the preparation of other meals (including secure storage of food).

Who can tell me more about this program?

For information on academic requirements or internship placements contact:

Grant Littke
James Madison College
Phone: (517) 353-6757
E-mail:

Bethany Judge
College of Arts & Letters
Phone: (517) 355-6519
E-mail:

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202
E-mail:

Vernon Miller, Ph.D.
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
564 Communication Arts and Science Building
Phone: (517) 355-3280

For information about on-site issues such as housing or transportation, contact:

Inge Steglitz
Office of Study Abroad
Phone: (517) 432-2685

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for fall 2009 is $6,231 and includes the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $3,600 (FS09).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for summer and fall semester programs, and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

How do I apply?

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by May 1st for fall participation; October 15th for spring participation; and by January 15th for summer (for the widest range of options); however, applications will be considered until March 1st for summer participation.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu