GISA Student Guide 2021.docx

GISA Student Guide 2021
1. First things first
1. Applying to IHEID, Getting accepted
2. Finding housing
2. Arriving in Geneva
1. Swiss Visas
2. Residence permit
3. Health insurance
4. Registration at IHEID
5. E-mail accounts
3. Life in Geneva
1. Food
2. Shopping
3. Mobile phones
4. Going out in Geneva
5. Banking
6. Medical services
7. Transportation
4. About IHEID
1. Libraries
2. Where to go with a problem
5. Student Life
1. Academics
1. Scheduling classes
2. School work and thesis
3. Learning French
4. The French test
5. Scholarships
2. Extracurriculars
1. Getting involved at IHEID
2. MINT Mentorship Programme
3.
4. Work and Internships

1.1 First steps after getting accepted to IHEID,
.
This student guide is written in a manner that matches the general calendar, prerequisites and other
information regarding admissions throughout the past years. Some dates and criteria may change, so
we advise to always follow the information given on the Institute website. However, you may find
useful tips in this guide.
Note: This section is drafted mainly for Master and PhD programmes. LLMs and Executive Programmes
have different deadlines and criteria.
The application
When applying to IHEID, this page will be your best friend.
The application is done online and it is pretty straightforward – have a look at the application
checklist.
Depending on the programme you choose, you will have different deadlines. Applications are open from
September 15th and close on January 15th for the regular deadline. The early admission deadline is
November 15th for both Masters and PhD programmes. This is recommended especially if you want to
apply for scholarships from the Institute and/or the Swiss government.
Which documents are important? All of them! A strong, thoughtful motivation letter is one of the most
important aspects of your application. (Though grades are the most important, according to the
Institute.) You want to save the world? Many of us want that. But do you have concrete plans? Do you
have experience? Do you have a particular idea you want to apply? Are you thinking about writing a
paper or creating a project? Think big, but not too artificial. Be yourself.
If you wish to apply for scholarships, check the information provided by IHEID on the options they
provide.

The waiting period
Yes, it’s a torturous wait for that notification letter. Stick with it. You can check any follow up actions
on your application form through the online link you were provided when you submitted it. In the
meantime, and particularly if the Graduate Institute is your first choice, you should learn as much as
possible about what you’ll need to do if you’re accepted, so read on.
The notification
The Graduate Institute usually releases admissions results mid-January for students that have applied
by the early-bird November deadline, and around mid-March for those who apply by the January 15
deadline. Students will have access to the admission decision letter via the follow-up system of the
online application form . Be aware that in the past not always there has been an immediate
notification via email of the release of admission results, so it might be good to check online.
First steps after acceptance
Accept your admission and pay the pre-registration fee
When you get the acceptance letter, accept your admission online via the follow-up system.
Also, you will find a bill to mail back with a pre-registration fee of CHF 1000. This amount will be
deducted from the first semester tuition fees. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will still have to
pay this as it stands as a solidarity fee. Remember that the deadline to pay this pre-registration fee is
generally 15 April if you applied by the January 15 deadline and January 31 if you applied by the early-
bird November deadline.
Get involved
With your admission, you will be given a password to access the Admitted Student Portal, which
contains vital information and resources to guide you through the next steps.

You will also automatically acquire a Graduate Institute Gmail address. This is the official email
address through which you will be contacted by the Institute administration, Student and Career
Services, Professors, TAs and the Student Association. Make sure you check it regularly!
We recommend you explore the IHEID website and sign up for the newsletters of research centers or
departments that interest you. That way, when you are in Geneva you will receive the most up to date
news about events and research!
You will also be invited to join the Facebook group of IHEID admitted students, a place to share trivial
and non-trivial concerns and that will also probably be an important source of information and a way to
start knowing your future colleagues.
Get started right away
Speaking from personal experience, we at GISA suggest you prepare for the month of April to take care
of several very important things for the Graduate Institute. Even though April may already be busy for
you if you are wrapping up your undergraduate studies, it is essential to get a start on these things.
Scholarships
If you are interested in applying for scholarships from outside IHEID, we recommend you start looking
as soon as possible after admission, as there are some with application deadlines soon after mid-
March.
1st week of April: Send off your application for a Swiss visa (if necessary)

You must take care of applying for your Swiss visa right away, as it can often take the three-month
maximum to receive it. Please refer to materials from IHEID (available on the Admitted Students
portal) on who needs to apply and how. The login password is written on your admission letter.
2nd week of April: Start searching for housing
If you want to apply for student housing, it is crucial that you start preparing to do so as soon as you
get your letter of acceptance, given the application deadlines.It would also be a smart idea to continue
looking for other housing options but don’t panic if you can’t solve it right away. For more information
about this, continue reading our housing section in the guide.
Budgeting
Take a look at IHEID’s budget estimate to live in Geneva, and plan accordingly. Throughout this guide
we also provide information on costs and savings options that you can take into consideration.
By the end of April or early May, you should at the very least have applied for your visa and applied for
student housing if you are interested in doing so.
With those things out of the way…
If you’ve been accepted, and you’ve taken care of the above items, you’ll be presented with about three
or four months to sit at home and think about moving to Geneva. What should you do with this time?
We highly recommend visiting the rest of the Student Guide immediately and often to start getting a
good idea of what life will be like in the city. The Student Guide contains student-written information
and resources regarding student life, life in Geneva, your first few days after you move to the city, and
some tips and tricks from those of us who have struggled through it all before. Visit the Student
Guide.

Any questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact the school’s admissions staff — a very friendly and helpful office — if you
have any questions. If your French isn’t too great, don’t worry — just call them and ask to speak
English. It is better to fully understand the important information than missing something vital. The
school’s admission staff can be contacted at +41 22 908 58 98 or by e-mail at
admission@graduateinstitute.ch.
GISA TIP: To save money on these phone calls, put some pre-pay money on a Skype account or
download the Viber app. You can toss a few (insert your currency here) on your Skype account/viber
app via a debit/credit card, and call foreign numbers that way, provided you have a good internet
connection. These calls only cost a few cents per minute, and are often MUCH less expensive than
international calls from a cell phone or landline that doesn’t include those calls as part of your plan.
1.2 Finding housing in Geneva
Since finding housing in Geneva can be extremely difficult, it is crucial to start arranging
accommodation as soon as you get your letter of acceptance! The situation is complicated not only
because Geneva is a rather expensive city (the 5th most expensive in the world) but also because
there is a serious shortage of student rooms and real estate agencies (called régies) are reluctant to
rent to students.
The major housing options are living in student residences, other housing associations, or subletting
rooms/apartments rented by private individuals. Student housing is usually the least expensive option,
ranging from approximately 500 to 800 CHF. Subletting a room in a shared housing can range from
800 to 1500 CHF per month depending on location, time of year, and luck.
While trying to directly renta small studio for yourself or a big house to share with more people seems
like a good idea, it is generally difficult to make happen.Real estate agencies have strict
procedurement that requires you to present a dossier with your residence permit (which you will
obtain only after arriving in Geneva), proof of income (at least three times as high as the rental) and a
police record check (‘attestation de non poursuite’). A Swiss guarantor is often required and not

everyone is willing to rent to students.Since it can be difficult to find a place in Geneva, many
students also opt for living around the city– either further along the lake, usually between Geneva and
Lausanne, or in France. Many independent municipalities such as Vernier, Meyrin, Troinex, or Lancy are
effectively part of the town and commute to the Graduate Institute can take 20-40 min. Lausanne is
connected by train, approximately 40 min away. While living in France can be much cheaper, depending
on your nationality you may need to arrange for French visa, residence permits, etc. and it may thus
not be an option for non-EU or non-Swiss citizens.
We strongly recommend that you apply to as many student residencies as you can as soon as
possible, while also keep looking for alternative options. Be aware that Geneva is a city where people
are moving in and out all the time. This means that advertisements for available rooms or apartments
to sublet or rent are usually done only with one month of anticipation and new last-minute options will
probably be available. Facebook groups and flatshare websites can be the best way to learn about this
option, but be extremely careful about scams, which are very common.
Having a permanent address is a prerequisite for several essential things you need to do when arriving
in Geneva, such as requesting the residence permit, opening a bank account or getting public
transport abonnement card. But if you are still struggling with finding a permanent place after a few
weeks in Geneva, try starting these anyway and then inform accordingly.
Edgar de Picciotto Student Residence
The Edgar de Picciotto Student Residence is the Institute’s own building that is reserved exclusively
for the Institute community (students and professors). It contains 135 furnished apartments that
have a total of 234 beds; this represents about 30% of the Institute’s student population.
The rooms range from 700 CHF (shared apartments with shared bathrooms, often on lower floors) all
the way up to a family apartment with two bedrooms on the top floor for 2,600 CHF. You can find all of
the different types of apartments available in the Maison des Etudiants on the Graduate Institute’s
website. The website also contains information on the building, application procedure, important
dates, and more resources.
Student Residences

Most students live in one of the students ‘foyers’ (residences/dormitories). Usually, these offer
furnished single rooms with shared bathroom (but often with sinks in the room) and kitchen facilities,
both dormitory-style and apartment-style. Kitchens are shared and you are often required to provide
your own cookware and utensils. All foyers are relatively close to the town center and thus to the
Graduate Institute. The major student residences in Geneva are:
● Cité Universitaire de Genève
○ Single rooms and studio accommodation for couples. Single rooms cost between 525
CHF and 597 CHF per month, while the rent for studios ranges from 850 to 1245 CHF
per month. There is some variation in style, size and quality of rooms. While rooms in
buildings A & B are organised along corridors, rooms in buildings C & D are organised in
flats. Building D is the most modern.
○ The Cité is by far the largest student accommodation. Many IHEID and UniGe students
live here.
○ The Cité also organises the letting of apartments in the Résidence Simon Patiño, down
the road from the main Cité “campus”.
○ The Cité is further from the town centre but well serviced by bus 3 (about 20 minutes
to Gare Cornavin central station) and close to gym facilities, tennis courts, football
(soccer) fields, and hiking trails. There is a racquetball court, sauna, practice room,
and restaurant within Cité.
● Centre St-Boniface (CSTB)
○ Single rooms of varying sizes and a small number of studios in the Plainpalais town
centre area. Rooms cost from 450 CHF to 805 CHF and the rent for studios is 1010
CHF per month. The rooms are in 2 buildings: A & B. There is one industrial-sized
kitchen that is shared by all students (~150 in varying locations) in building A.
○ At St Boniface, you’ll find a mix of students from IHEID, UniGe, and interns.
○ Close access to tram lines, grocery and convenience stores, student bars, restaurants
and pubs, movie theatres, Old Town, and the Uni-Mail library. The very convenient
location comes with the tradeoff of noise from events on the Plainpalais square from
time to time.
○ Be prepared to write a letter of motivation and make sure you can get a family member
or a friend to write you a letter of recommendation.
● Résidence Universitaire Internationale (RUI & Carlton)
○ Two-bedroom apartment-style housing and studios. Located in the Pâquis area close
to Lac Léman, Gare Cornavin, tram lines, restaurants, bars and pubs, department
stores, and just a few minutes walk to the Graduate Institute.
● Foyer International St-Justin

○ Single rooms, double rooms, and studios located in Pâquis close to RUI offers low-
priced accommodation. There is no waiting list, but visiting or calling the reception is
recommended, depending on the availability of rooms. Be aware that internet
connection is a long-term problem and many students have unreliable or no internet
access in their rooms. Also, if you are accepted to St-Justin, wait before purchasing
cookware since the kitchen has special stoves that require specific types of pots and
pans.
● Centre Universitaire Protestante (CUP)
○ Two major buildings in the Plainpalais region (one by the Cirque stop on the 15 tram
line; one near the Plainpalais/Uni-Mail stops).
○ Shared 3, 4, 5, and 6-room flats featuring individual rooms and common areas
(kitchen, living room, bathroom). Also a few number of flats for couples with or without
children.
When applying to these options, stay on the ball! Respond quickly to communication sent to you by
these residences. Do not expect to be told that you have not been allocated a room. Many residences
only contact applicants that have received a room. Therefore, don’t think you work is done once you
have applied for several residences. In the past, sending a follow up email every week or two weeks
has proved to be a successful strategy. Since many of these residences simply fill places when a spot
opens, and do not have a waiting list, your luck in timing may impact your success more than anything
else.
Other housing options
Apart from student residences there are other options ranging from student housing cooperatives, to
housing announcements by various communities (expats, students, etc), and general announcements
in newspapers.
● GHI: Free weekly Geneva newspaper, published every Wednesday that contains the many
listings regarding accommodation.
● Ciguë: A housing cooperative that rents affordable (sometimes incredibly cheap) non-furnished
rooms to students and other individuals receiving education or training. The cooperative is
self-administered and slightly chaotic but well worth the effort. In order to be put on the
mailing list announcing available rooms, one has to come in person to register. New offers

come as rooms open and the current residents choose the replacement, which can be a very
competitive process as there are many candidates and relatively few rooms.
● Glocals: A community of friendly international minded expats & locals who also organize
cultural and sporting events. Interview required - Make sure to be quick when replying to
posts.
● Homegate: A consolidated listing of flats and houses for rent by local property management
companies. A good place to find six-bedroom flats to share, for example. Renting through
property management firms can sometimes take longer, require a one-time (non-refundable)
reservation payment, and contracts may need to be signed for 2-4 years. It differs from one
situation to another.
Practical information
● Beware of Scams!: Finding a place which is not part of a student residence, without being in
Geneva often proves very difficult. Be very careful with room offers posted on facebook or
flatshare websites. Do not pay any money (for deposits etc) before seeing the place, signing a
contract, and receiving the keys. These types of scams are extremely common.
● Attestation d’immatriculation: Many foyers will ask for a copy of your Attestation
d’immatriculation when you apply. Go ahead and apply anyway by sending in a copy of your
acceptance letter, indicating that your ‘immatriculation’ is in progress.
● Keys and Deposits
○ If you obtain a place in a UNIGE residence, make sure you arrive in Geneva during
Bureau de Logement working hours (Mon-Fri 10h-13h, 14h-16h), to pick up your key.
You will also have to make a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. UNIGE
housing requires the deposit to be made in the Banque Cantonale de Geneve (BCGE)
before you can obtain your key. (Note: For certain nationalities, a provisional document
of residency from the OCPM (see below) is required to open a bank account.)
○ The same goes for other foyers – check their individual office hours and ask in advance
about their procedure for making deposits, as some are more flexible than others.
Some even restrict arrival to a 2-hour window.
○ If there is a chance that your transportation to Geneva could be delayed, and that you
may not get your key on the same day, we recommend booking an alternative
accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel (see below) for the first night. Note that

hostels are very busy at this time of year, so it is best to book in advance if you think
you may be arriving outside of key-pick-up hours.
○ There may be certain lodgings that will only allow you to move in with proof of your
forthcoming residency permit or a bank account, meaning you would need to go to the
OCPM (see below) and get a provisional document before you can move in. Double
check with your lodging to confirm the necessary documents for check in, and if
necessary, book a hostel or cheap hotel for the first night to give you time to get
everything in order.
● Subletting vs Leasing: Subletting may be the best initial option since long term rentals with
rental agencies often require a residence permit, proof of income, and sometimes a police
record check (‘attestation de non poursuite’). Unless you have a Swiss guarantor or more than
solid proof of income it will be very hard, if not impossible, to lease an apartment, which is why
subletting a room or living in student residence are more viable alternatives to leasing and
renting apartments in groups is difficult.
● Apartment Description: In Switzerland, unlike in some other countries, every ‘room’ of the
apartment (such as the kitchen, living room, and sometimes even the bathroom) counts in the
description provided. Hence, 3-pièce apartment contains only one bedroom, 4-pièce two, etc.
There can also be 5½-pièce apartment but then the kind of rooms counted tends to be
specified.
Still homeless?
If you did not manage to get any accommodation, you should try to sublet for a week or two while you
look for something more permanent. Among other short term options you can try:
● Second years: Sometimes second years sublet their current accommodation for short periods
of time. Lots of announcements are made on this or this facebook group, or in the group for
incoming students. You may also find useful offers in the facebook groups by the Geneva
Interns Association and Geneva Expats.
● Short term in student residencies: You can arrange short term accommodation at many of the
foyers – even if they turned down your application for long term accommodation – they usually
have some place for short term accommodation for approximately 1-2 weeks. Also, try
emailing them or showing up in person to speak to the receptionist. Don’t be afraid of
insisting! Students sometimes cancel their accommodation and if the receptionist remembers

who you are, or if you show up at the right time, you may be offered the room on a short or long
term basis.
● Hostels: You could also stay at one of the youth hostels such as Geneva Youth Hostel
(Hostelling International) or Geneva Backpacker Hostel.
● CouchSurfing: For those of you who feel comfortable with the option, you can try to get by the
first few days by finding host(s) on CouchSurfing.
● Airbnb: Many students also choose to rent an Airbnb for the first few days in Geneva.
To connect with other students in a similar situation visit the facebook group of the incoming group of
students. While this may not solve your problem, there will definitely be someone else in your situation
and not being alone in this can be a source of relief.
Not afraid of commuting? Live in France!
Swiss prices are significantly higher than French prices, for housing and food. So if you are a Swiss or
EU resident and your visa situation allows you to live in France, it can be a solution to find a cheaper
place.
The main options are:
● Ferney-Voltaire: The closest French town from IHEID. A bus from Nations takes you in the
center of the town in 20min. There you can find plenty of useful services (bank, bakery, shops,
even a bio grocery shop called Satoriz).
● Annemasse: Three times bigger than Ferney, Annemasse is on the other side of the Canton of
Geneva so you would need about 50 minutes to commute to the Institute with a change at
Cornavin (less by bike). Annemasse is a more lively town with a shopping mall and a train
station.
● Saint Genis Pouilly: Close to CERN, this town is similar to Ferney but less connected to the
Institute. You will need 45min with 2 changes to reach the centre of the town. The advantage
of St Genis is that a huge number of CERN interns share flats in this town so if you want an
international shared flat for a good price, this is an option.
You can find flats or rooms in shared houses in those towns through French website such as Le bon
coin, seloger.com or pap.fr. The disadvantage of living in France is that transports to Geneva are not
very frequent, especially after 9pm and during the weekend.

2.2 Residence Permit
Once you have an address (at least a semi-permanent one), you need to request the Residence Permit
at the city’s migration office, the “Office Cantonal de la Population et des Migrations” (better known
as OCPM). Note that if you are living outside the canton of Geneva, the residence permit should be
requested in your corresponding place of residence.
For detailed information regarding Swiss residence permits, please refer to the official Graduate
Institute pages.
Since it is a busy period of time for the OCPM, we recommend you do it as soon as possible. Gather all
the documents requested, the fee money, your headphones, a good book and maybe a snack, and be
prepared for a long waiting time in a busy waiting room.
Your residence permit card will be mailed to you after some weeks to the address you presented.
Remember that if you move and change address later on, you will need to inform the OCPM by
presenting a form and paying the fee.
2.3 Health Insurance
In Switzerland, you are required by law to have health insurance within three months of your arrival in
the country. Make sure you are insured within three months of arriving and that an attestation is sent
from your insurance company to the OCPM.Otherwise the OCPM will automatically register you with a
designated insurance company (which costs much more).

IHEID’s Health and Insurance page has useful information for determining if you need to register for a
Swiss insurance company. If you are planning to use your current health insurance, you need to make
sure that this type of insurance is deemed adequate by the Canton of Geneva.
Luckily for EU citizens, their European Health Insurance Card covers them in Switzerland. Many EU
citizens need to pay for the medical costs and they will be reimbursed by their ‘home insurance’ later,
sometimes all costs are covered by your ‘home insurance’, only a certain percentage or only what the
same procedure would have cost in your home country.
If your insurance is not accepted in Geneva, you need to purchase a Swiss insurance policy from one of
the many insurance companies with student-friendly plans. Some of them are:
● Score Studies: https://www.scorestudies.ch/en/
● Swisscare: https://swisscare.com/
● Swiss Advisor: http://www.advisor-swiss.ch/
The Graduate Institute does not provide insurance for students. It does have an agreement with Swiss
Advisor insurance provider, which offers “preferential rates” to students, but this is only one of several
companies available. In fact, GISA has received numerous complaints from students over the past two
years regarding problems with Advisor’s services, particularly in failing to reimburse students for their
medical expenses, delaying payments to doctors’ offices, and providing unclear and misleading
information. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to consult the other options available (see list
above) and ask for students’ experiences.
Swiss health insurance policies are pricey. A student annual policy can cost between 600 and 1,500
CHF (or between 50 and 125 CHF per month) depending on your age and the annual deductible you
choose. While this may seem expensive for many international students, it is really a bargain by Swiss
standards where normally a monthly plan for citizens can cost more than 500 CHF. Although
companies are required to accept all requests, they actually can deny offering the student-rated
policies on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, for example.
Some insurance companies (like Swiss Advisor) offer student packages that include not only the
mandatory health insurance but also civil liability.
For more information, the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health has good information
regarding health insurance in Switzerland.

Additional notes on the Health Insurance System
● The price of the policies vary according to your age, medical record and the annual deductible
you choose. The annual deductible is the amount of money you will pay from your pocket in
case you require medical attention. The insurance company will start reimbursing the costs
only after that amount has been reached. The larger the deductible, the smallest the fee and
vice-versa.
● The Swiss health insurance system works through a reimbursement method and follows very
precise rules which probably differ from the ones adopted in your home country. Typically you
have to pay for the medical costs and wait for your insurance company to transfer the money
to your account. It is important to read carefully the coverage guidelines of your insurance
policy to see how the reimbursement process works and to follow up to ensure that the
company reimburses you on time.
● Bear in mind that most year-long policies are automatically renewed every year. To avoid being
stuck paying for insurance you don’t need, remember to request to cancel your policy well in
advance! For example, Advisor requires you to inform them via post (carte recommandé) about
your cancellation and provide them with proof of alternate coverage three months before your
new policy year would begin.
● By means of “Santé Social” (in French only) UNIGE provides information and assistance to
students looking for professional medical advice or for relevant tips concerning the
improvement of their welfare in Geneva. Beware that the existence of this service by no means
replaces the acquisition of mandatory health insurance.
For information on how to find doctors or access available welfare resources, take a look at
this list of doctors in Geneva prepared by the welfare committee of GISA.
2.4 Registration at IHEID
The final Registration with the Graduate Institute is done during the first weeks of class. It is very
relaxed and takes very little time. You will hear where registration will take place when the date
approaches. You can find more about what to do after arriving in Geneva on the institute’s website.
After the Administration announcement, you will need to book your appointment and take all the
requested documentation with you on that day and time. Keep in mind that you will need to present
your original bachelor title, so make sure you remember to pack it before moving. If you are facing any

challenges gathering the documentation you should present, you can reach out to Administration for
guidance.
3.1 Food
In general, food in Geneva is quite diverse, reflecting the international nature of the city. Many of the ‘typical’
dishes are French in origin. Get ready for a lot of cheese. Awareness about allergies and gluten-free diets are
moderate, so be prepared to ask specific questions if it is a serious health issue. Vegetarian options are usually
available at restaurants, the IHEID cafeteria, and all events hosted by GISA or IHEID. Depending on where you do
your grocery shopping and how often you buy meals at the cafeteria and eat out, your food budget will probably
be between 200 CHF and 350 CHF per month. Generally, preparing meals at home and shopping across the
border in France are two key strategies for saving on your food expenses.
Cafeteria
The Graduate Institute has a cafeteria in the Maison de la Paix that is also used by IHEID staff, faculty, and
employees of nearby organizations. When you use your student card to pay, you receive a discount from 15% up
to 38% discount on food and beverages. You can load cash onto your student card at the machines outside the
cafeteria (only cash bills, minimum 10CHF).
Please check here for the current cafeteria prices and student discounts.
Please note that after 5pm, there is a student discount of 50% off all perishable products. The discount is off
the original price and it is upon presentation of your student card. On Fridays, the Environmental Committee
collects any leftover food and brings it to the Picciotto Common Room for free for all students on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Students are allowed to eat their lunch (and use the microwaves) in the kitchens in Petal 2 of each level, which
are also used by staff and faculty. We must be very respectful of these shared spaces and ensure that we
always leave them clean. The Student Space/Common Room in the main floor of Picciotto/Student House is
always available for students to eat their meals and relax. There are microwaves, vending machines, coffee
machines, sink, dishes, and cutlery.

The cafeteria serves hot lunch between 12:00 and 14:15. Note that the cafeteria is not open on Saturdays and
Sundays, and the nearby Coop is also closed on Sundays. So, bring a meal for those weekend study sessions!
Other Meal Options
There are only a few nearby options for affordable and tasty lunches. Across the street from MdP on Avenue de
France, Salsabeel is an excellent and friendly restaurant and café with delicious Indian and Pakistani food.
Lunches cost between 10-15 CHF and samosas are 1.50-2 CHF. Another block away is the Montbrillant
shopping centre with a large Coop supermarket where you can find a variety of sandwiches, salads, etc. A short
walk away, the Paquis neighbourhood has dozens of Middle Eastern restaurants that offer affordable falafel and
shawarma (7-8 CHF) – a student favourite is Parfums de Beyrouth near Gare Cornavin. The Bains des Paquis is
busy at lunch for their good quality and affordable plat du jour for about 12 CHF. (In the winter you can get a
great fondue dinner for 22 CHF per person – groups accepted!) For tasty hamburgers and fries (all around 20
CHF), try the nearby English pub Mr. Pickwick, The Hamburger Foundation, or Holy Cow (student meal option for
15 CHF). Are you into Japanese food? Wasabi Sushi serves ‘bento box’ meals and if you show your student card
and spend at least 15 CHF you get a free beverage.
There are, of course, many other restaurant options, from budget to hyper-expensive, traditional Swiss to Asian
and Ethiopian. You will have many opportunities to explore for yourselves, but be aware that eating out in
Switzerland is not cheap. Most restaurants, bars and night-clubs are located in the Pâquis and Plainpalais area
(which has many student bars). There are also some nice restaurants and cafes in Old Town, and bars in
Carouge. The many local markets, especially on Wednesday and Sunday mornings in Plainpalais, are another
great option for picking up snacks or trying something new from one of the various international food stations!
Busy, lazy or just need some pizza? Pizza15, Rolling Pizza or Domino’s are decent quality and inexpensive
options. The size of the pizza can be enough for two people as well. If you live in Champel in or around the Cité
Universitaire, the restaurant there serves good pizza for cheap prices – you can find Margaritas for 10 CHF and
it comes with an Iced Tea and salad. The restaurant also makes food such as sandwiches, hamburgers, kebabs
and other specialities for reasonable prices and combos.
For ice cream or gelato on a warm summer day (or after statistics class) look no further than two of the most
famous places in Geneva located nearby on Rue de Paquis: Manu Gelato and Gelato Mania.
In case you want to grab a Korean dish for lunch you can order it online at Bulgo Kim. They deliver at IHEID on
Tuesdays.

3.2 Shopping
The main shopping areas in the city are in Bel-Air and the area in front of Gare Cornavin. Manor is a
large department store where you can find pretty much anything, including clothing, shoes, bags,
electronics, kitchenware, groceries, toiletries, make-up, school supplies etc. Be aware that buying
groceries here is usually more expensive than going to an actual grocery store. There is a tourist shop
on the main level of the Manor that sells every type of Swiss chocolates and tourist trinkets.
There is also Balexert, the second-largest mall in Switzerland (bus 10 or 9 from the Cornavin and tram
14 direction Meyrin-Gravier – takes about 15 min). Aside from Manor and Balexert, here are some
store suggestions for items you may need when you arrive, or during the semester.
Groceries
Coop and Migros are located throughout the city and offer student-friendly brands (check out the Coop
Prix Garantie or the Migros Budget brands). There is a Coop a block away from the Graduate Institute
Library, where you will find lots of IHEID students during lunch hour. Remember that even getting a
sandwich and drink from the take-away section will still cost you around 8-10 CHF. Some students
(who have freezers and/or adequate fridge space) take weekly trips to the markets in France* for
better prices. Both Migros and Coop have points cards that you can get for free online. That way you
can end up with some free groceries, but remember to keep the card in your wallet (or get their phone
apps) so you have it when you shop.
For cheaper grocery prices try LIDL. There is one located on Rue de Lausanne near the tram stop
Butini. It is cheaper than Migros and Coop but you may not always find everything you are looking for.
There is also Denner which is cheaper than Coop and Migros for most items and definitely has the best
wine selection at the cheapest prices. If you want to try some Swiss wine go here, as they always
have sales.
There are also various vegetable/fruit markets throughout Geneva, such as in Plainpalais which runs
Tues, Fri, and Sun. It runs from 8am-1pm (longer on Sundays). There is also a market in Champel on
Thursdays from 8am-1pm and one in Carouge on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The cheapest vegetable

market is l’Union Maraichère in Carouge which sells second category veggies for cheaper prices. So if
you don’t mind not having a perfectly regular tomato, you will love them.
With a sizeable international population, Geneva also has its fair share of supermarkets for Asian,
Indian and Latin American cuisine, most of which can be found in the Paquis area. There are two Indian
stores on Rue de Fribourg, a Japanese supermarket on Rue Ferrier close to IHEID, and a large Chinese
supermarket on Rue de la Navigation.
*To go to Carrefour in Ferney, take the F bus at the train station or at Nations. Get off at the 2nd stop
after you cross the border called Brunette. You will get off the bus and at the roundabout take a right.
The Carrefour is in that shopping plaza. Make sure to bring a passport as there could be a check when
you cross the border. The trip from Nations takes about 20 min. You can also go to Ferney city center
(F bus stop Avenue du Jura) and there you will find a smaller Carrefour, a bio shop called Satoriz, a
bakery, and a great cheese shop.
There is also a large outdoor market every Saturday in Ferney which offers a variety of vegetables,
cheeses, meats, and breads at relatively affordable prices. Many students do their weekly shopping at
this market. Don’t forget to carry your passport when you are crossing the border!
Electronics
Try Fust near Gare Cornavin, especially if you are looking for a printer under 100 CHF. Interdiscount in
Bel-Air and other locations throughout the city covers pretty much everything from DVDs to coffee
makers and is competitively priced as well. It has branches all over town. There is also FNAC in the
River area, and note that there are 4-5 electronics shops in Balexert.
Kitchen and Housewares
The top floor of Coop City in the city centre offers a variety of household products, but they can be
pricey. The City Center is located on Rue du Rhône. There is an IKEA in Meyrin, about a 15 min. tram
ride from the train station. You can take various buses and a tram (#14) to get there. There is also the
Plainpalais Flea Market which runs every Wednesday and Saturday and sells everything from kitchen

tables and beer glasses to old book and turntables. In the Emmaus second hand shop in Carouge, you
can find some useful treasures.
Clothing and Shoes
There are a number of stores ranging in price from H&M to Chanel. There is an H&M across from the
main train station. Most stores can be found in the Bel-Air region of the city, between Cornavin and Old
Town. If you go to the Rive tram stop and start there, you will find all types of stores at all kinds of
prices. If you’re looking for something fancy, check out Globus on Rue du Rhône. They sell everything
from clothing to housewares, and even have a grocery store on the lowest level, but it is mostly brand
names and exclusive items. If you ever need that one special ingredient that you can’t find to make
that certain exotic dish, Globus will have it. The same goes for a designer watches.
Remember that most stores in Geneva close at 19:00 every night except for Thursdays when almost
everything is open till 21:00. Some stores close earlier on Saturdays and just about everything is
closed on Sundays! If you need something desperately the only big stores open on Sundays are in the
main train station and airport, where you will pay higher prices. There also are small convenience
stores, called “Tabacs,” open throughout the city, particularly in the Paquis area.
The French town of Annemasse (50 min from IHEID) has a lot of clothes shops in its centre and a big
shopping mall in the periphery. There are also two sporting equipment shops such as Decathlon in the
center and GoSport in the shopping mall. Prices in France are usually lower than in Geneva by 30% at
least.
3.3 Mobile phones
Depending on your needs regarding communication (calls, texts, internet, international calls, and how
often you use them) you can opt for either a mobile contract or prepaid.
Prepaid

You can buy a SIM card with only your passport at a kiosk or store, or online. If you plan to use mostly
data, Lebara offers inexpensive plans from 14.90/month for 1GB of data. MuchoMobile also offers
cheap prepaid SIM plans, especially for first-time customers. (There are no official Mucho stores, but a
SIM can be purchased in convenience stores in Gare Cornavin.)
Contracts
To get a mobile phone contract, you must present a residency card (which you receive from the OCPM
when your visa has been approved and the card has been processed and sent). The contract can be
signed for one or two years with or without the purchase of a telephone.
You can also compare the different services and offers for mobile phones with Mobilezone or Comparis
to find the best service to fit your needs.
If you want to continue to use your foreign phone in Switzerland, make sure that the bandwidth is
compatible (especially for North American phones). You can find this information with a quick Google
search with the name of your phone and “European compatibility.” Many older smartphones are not
compatible. Also, make sure that it is unlocked prior to coming to Switzerland, as the task can be
complicated to accomplish here.
3.4 Going out in Geneva
Pubs in Geneva tend to be expensive. Expect to pay about 9 CHF for a pint of import lager and 12 CHF
for a Guinness. Happy hour is a good solution. Mr. Pickwick’s Pub is a Graduate Institute classic, and
happy hour (half price drinks from 18.30-19.30) is quite popular with thirsty students. Other pub
options include Grand Duke Pub (Pâquis), Sports Bar (Pâquis), Lord Jim (Pâquis), Britannia (Cornavin),
Charly O’Neils (Avenue Went), Spring Brothers (Old Town), Mulligans (near Manor), Lord Nelson (City
Center: place du Molard), Lady Godiva (Plainpalais). A popular aspect of pubs in Geneva is that you’ll
always find a TV showing football, tennis, cricket, etc.

Les Brasseurs
A nice alternative to pubs is the more Bavarian-style Les Brasseurs, just opposite to the railway
station. They brew their own beer, and if you buy it with friends (or alone, we won’t judge) a “colonne”
of 3.5 or 10 litres offers a good alternative to “per pint” pricing. You find the same type of
establishment down in the city centre (Brasseurs du Molard) or in the “Les Grottes” district. Lady
Godiva, just opposite Uni Mail building is a nicely strange mix of a modern and fashion pub, boasts an
impressive list of beer on tap, and has been the site of many impromptu Graduate Institute weekend
gatherings.
La Terrasse
La Terrasse is an outdoor bar at the lakeside that is open during spring and summer. It draws a variety
of students and professionals looking to relax by the lake after a long day. It’s not cheap, but it is
definitely a beautiful place to sit beside the lake, enjoy the sunshine and have a drink or coffee.
Tropical Corner is also a nice place to spend a summer afternoon on the lake shore (open only during
the summer season), drinking rosé or home-made green tea. Walk there from Rive following the lake,
direction France (10-15 minutes).
Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine in Plainpalais (near Uni Mail) is the place where you’ll find a few student-
friendly bars (Ferblanterie, Café Metis, Café du Lys, etc.) which are comparatively cheap, and where
UNIGE students normally hang out.
Café de la Pointe
Café de la Pointe is a favorite of Genevois students, near the Hôpital Cantonal (Boulevard du Pont
d’Arve). You will find 2 or 3 dozen varieties of shooters that are prepared on the spot. You never know

what’s inside and you’d better not try to understand their names, but if you get lucky, one or two shots
are enough to shake your blood (5 CHF per shot).
brasserie des Halles de l’ile
Brasserie des Halles de l’ile is another cool spot on an “island” (a platform in the middle of the river)
which can be accessed via stairs from Pont de la Coulouvreniere or via the tram stop Bel-Air or Stand.
It’s a restaurant on one side but also a lounge-bar which fills up every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
nights. It is definitely a place to go for a quick drink or to pre-drink before heading to other clubs. The
terrace area outside is really nice in the summer and overlooks the water.
Place du Bourg-de-Four
Place du Bourg de Four in the Old Town is the epicentre of the medieval district and offers many bars
and nice “terrasses” during the summer: La Clémence, Demi Lune, Le Studio. From there, if you walk up
the Grand Rue, you get to the Roi Ubu, a more alternative and underground-style bar with good beer
and low prices.
Plainpalais
In the Plainpalais area, you can head over to Circus for a glass of wine or Café Cuba for a mojito. These
places can get pretty packed during the weekend. Le Chat Noir, located in Carouge, is an institution in
Geneva for the underground music scene.
Rue Basses
The downtown shopping district, known as the “rues basses”, used to offer a vast selection of trendy
cafés and bars. Only a few have not yet been transformed into luxury watch shops. Alhambar, rue de la

Rotisserie, is a funny place, serving cocktails and often proposing live DJ sessions. L’Antidote, located
in the same street, is the gathering place for dynamic young bankers, maybe slightly too posh, but
worth giving a try. You can also pop in to BBM 2 and L’Armoire for a glass of wine. On the way towards
Old Town from the Bel-Air fountain, you will find “La théière qui rit” serving a selection of teas and hot
chocolate and, a little further, Les Salons de Théophile features a good selection of spirits in a dark
and warm atmosphere.
Clubs in Geneva
What about clubbing? One has to understand that Geneva is primarily a city for bankers and diplomats,
people with children and a quiet life; finding a nice clubbing spot can therefore prove to be a slightly
challenging endeavour. Good news is that for the bravest among you, here’s a short list.
Monte Christo will suit those looking for Latin vibes; ladies, be prepared to face audacious (i.e. sticky)
salsa-dancing young men. The MaD de Genève (not to be confused with the Mad de Lausanne) also
proposes salsa nights, which are quite nice.
On the high end of the spectrum is the Java Club, located in the basement of the Grand Kempinski
Hotel. It’s the preferred choice of Geneva’s golden young crowd. However, there is a dress code for
entering.
There is also La Sip, a bar on Rue de Vieux-Grenadiers which doesn’t usually charge cover, plays hip-
hop/top 40 music, and has a dangerous cocktail (“la sip cocktail”) for 10 franc. You can also go to
Shakers at the end of rue du Mont-Blanc area, most of the crowd are either international students or
expats.
La Pirogue is a hip-hop and R&B spot. Le Trois Huit, pretty far from the city centre and on the way to
near-by France, is a cheaper alternative, and mixes bankers with French farmers. Moa, in Vernier, and
Bypass, in the Acacias-Praille district, are more affordable places (except for the cover, about 20
CHF), have good music, good parties, but are farther away. You might need patience or a car to get
there.
Or, Lausanne!

You will surely discover many other places that suit you. A must-do is partying at least once in
Lausanne. The smaller city is full of students, so the prices are much cheaper and the atmosphere is
more relaxed. You don’t need to suit-up to get into a club. Here are just a few names of bars and clubs
you may enjoy in Lausanne: Bleu Lézard, Lapin vert, King’s pub, Cult, Amnesia, Mad, and Atelier Volant.
3.5 Opening a Swiss bank account
Opening a bank account can be a simple task, but in some cases it can be a long and tedious process.
Some banks will open an account without proof of residence, while others will refuse to open an
account without first seeing your Permis B. Some banks will require an attestation from the OCPM
stating that your permit is in progress. The requirements differ not only by banks but also by branch, or
depending on the student’s nationality. Sometimes it’s a process of trial and error.
Banks are very busy at the beginning of autumn semester opening accounts for students.
Consequently, you may need to wait a week or so for an appointment.
In general Swiss banks are very “student friendly”, and the checking/savings accounts, internet
banking, bank cards etc. are usually free of charge.
Keep in mind that if you have decided to live in France, you cannot open a Swiss bank account and will
have to get an account with one of the numerous banks in France. (Société Générale, Crédit Agricole
etc.)
Important for American Citizens
If you are from the United States, opening a bank account in Switzerland is tough and requires
patience but it can be done. As of 2018, the only bank that would accept American citizens is the UBS
located on Rue de la Confederation. You must call ahead about one week to make an appointment (and
we suggest calling before you arrive in Switzerland); the appointment will take about one hour. You
must have your residency permit or form from the OCPM in order to open your account. We recommend
asking them on the phone when you make your appointment which documents they require AND telling

them in advance that you are an American citizen so that they can schedule your appointment with the
designated staff member.
Banks where most students open a bank account
UBS offers “Campus” student accounts free of charge and includes a points program that gives you
credit to spend at grocery and clothing stores, on train tickets, etc. UBS offers online banking, even for
paying “orange slip” bills, which otherwise require going to the post office for payment. By using ATMs
and online banking services you can earn points that are turned into CHF vouchers for groceries,
clothing stores, ski packages, etc. The Maestro (debit) card allows you to withdraw cash from any
bank machine without service charge, but using the bank card outside of Switzerland is costly and
often does not work. UBS can be strict when it comes to having a residence permit. From previous
experience, UBS branches at rue du Rhone, rue de la Confédération or at the United Nations do not
usually ask for residence permits or attestation from the OCPM that you’re in the process of getting
one (see the “Office Cantonal de la Population” section).
Credit Suisse is a large bank with branches all over Geneva. They also have branches all over
Switzerland so it’s usually easy to access your money. They have special offers for students where
you get a free account including a Maestro card, credit card of your choice, preferential interest rate,
and online banking. They have a location close to the Institute at Rue de Lausanne 17. As mentioned
earlier some banks ask for your Permit B and some don’t. According to most students all they needed
to get a bank account at this location was a passport, student card/justification and an address.
Post Finance has the advantage of being the only place guaranteed to open an account without having
a Permis B (but again you will need an attestation from the OCP) and is the choice of some Americans
who encounter difficulties initially opening an account (see below). Another advantage is that you
don’t need an appointment to open a Post Finance account. Simply take a number at the Post Office,
and present your stamped attestation and passport, to the person at the guichet. A disadvantage is
that there are few Post Finance ATMs in the city, however you can withdraw cash at every Migros
grocery store in Geneva. Ask for the computer banking option as it comes in handy, though it may take
a few weeks for your account to be operational.
Banque Cantonale de Genève has a good network of offices and ATMs throughout the canton (22
branches) and they offer the Formation account that gives you a 100 francs voucher upon opening the

account to buy the annual UNIRESO abonnement (described in the Transport section). Internet banking
offers free payments of bills and free money transfers in CHF and in Switzerland.
GISA TIP: A Crédit Suisse ATM is at your disposal in the Maison de la paix, the only ATM available on
campus. It is located in petal 6, ground floor, and is available 24/7.
3.6 Medical services
Medical Services in Geneva are typically good quality and most services are covered by Health
Insurance (but no psychiatry).
When going either to the hospital or to the doctor, remember to bring your ID and your Health
Insurance card. The price can be quite expensive, especially for foreign students – a consultation can
be charged for around 100 to 500 CHF, depending on how much time you spent and specialty you
choose.
In case of emergency, students generally go to Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, which is relatively
close to Plainpalais (tram station, ligne 15). However, take in consideration that this service may take
a while depending on your case, as the most urgent cases have priority.
If you don’t have a family doctor or in case of emergency, call n° 144, which will direct you to the
appropriate service.
You may also find this list of English speaking Doctors helpful.
Information compiled by the Institute
You can find the addresses of more than 1’500 English speaking doctors on:
www.amge.ch/medecins/annuaire-des-medecins

or at: The association des médecins de Genève (Association of Geneva Doctors), rue Micheli-du-Crest
12, 1205 Geneva, 022 320 84 20, info@amge.ch
Useful general information can be found on: http://www.planetesante.ch/
Advice and support groups
If you have a chronic disease or would like to have more information on a particular health topic, you
will find very useful advice and contact details on this website:
http://www.medecine.unige.ch/cds/ressources/brochures_patients.php
Please note that most documents are available in French only.
For support groups in English: http://www.cancersupport.ch/
http://geneva.angloinfo.com/information/healthcare/support-groups/
Sexually transmitted infections
Carry out tests anonymously by contacting the Hôpital Universitaire de Genève (HUG-CIFERN), your
doctor or the following organizations:
CIFERN, planning familial, Boulevard de la Cluse 47, 1205 Genève
Phone: 022 372 55 00
http://planning-familial.hug-ge.ch/prestations/sante_sexuelle.html
Groupe Sida Genève, rue Grand-Pré 9, 1204 Geneva
022 700 15 00, www.groupesida.ch info@groupesida.ch
Stop : Grand-Pré

Dialogai-Checkpoint (bi-/homosexual men), rue Grand-Pré 9, 1204 Geneva
022 906 40 40
http://www.mycheckpoint.ch/en/ge
Addictions – alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other
People who are or fear of becoming addicted can contact their doctor or the following services:
Service d’addictologie, rue verte 2, 1205 Geneva
022 372 55 60
For prevention in general, see the site http://www.prevention.ch/accueil.htm
Stop: Augustins
Unité tabac, alcool, autres dépendances, Service de médecine de 1er recours
(Tobacco, Alcohol and other Addictions Unit, First-line Medical Service)
Hôpital Universitaire de Genève (HUG), rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva
022 372 95 37
Stop: Hôpital
Mental health
Students have the possibility to meet a psychologist (member of AGPsy, the Geneva Association of
Psychologists) at the Graduate Institute for a 45-minute orientation session, which aims to facilitate
further access to psychological support via “Pôle Sante Social” or another institution according to
their needs.

● Alternatively, adapted solutions and access to welfare services are offered to our students via
the “Pôle Santé Social” of the University of Geneva (CHF 25.-/session)
● the HUG (Hôpital cantonal of Geneva) (covered by health insurance)
For questions or further help, your Student Support and Wellbeing Team will be happy to assist.
For any mental health problem (depression, burn-out and more):
Département de santé mentale et de psychiatrie (Psychiatry department) – Sectors (SPA-S)
Outpatients consultations of the 4 sectors :
Sector 1 – Eaux-Vives, rue du XXXI Décembre 36, 022 382 31 03
Sector 2 – Jonction, bd Saint-Georges 16-18, 022 809 82 30
Sector 3 – Servette, rue de Lyon 91, 022 372 32 80
Sector 4 – Pâquis, rue de Lausanne 67, 022 716 44 11
See also: http://psychiatrie.hug-ge.ch
Are you feeling depressed? Lonely? This website (in French) could help:
http://www.alliancedepression.ch/logicio/pmws/indexDOM.php?client_id=depression&page_id=cont
act
This number can be reached 24hrs a day, 7 days a week: 022 382 42 42
www.preventionsuicide.ch
www.stopsuicide.ch
4.1 Libraries

Geneva has about 70 libraries that are grouped together in le Réseau des bibliothèques genevoises.
These consist of 51 libraries of the University of Geneva (UNIGE), 10 scientific libraries of the city of
Geneva, and 10 partner libraries. Their complete listing, location, as well as any further information is
available (in French) on the website of le Réseau des bibliothèques genevoises.
IHEID Library
More info can be found here: IHEID Library
● Most widely used library among the IHEID students. It is located in the basement of Maison de
la Paix, close to many of the Graduate Institute lecture rooms, and is open Monday through
Friday from 8am till 10pm, on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am till 7pm.
● The Institute library offers more than 350,000 volumes, 650 specialised journals, 685
specialised monographic series, 3500 films, and online resources (databases, electronic
periodicals, e-books, etc.) as well as wifi, study desks, group study rooms (bubbles),
computers, printers, scanners, and photocopiers.
● The library offers: 330 study seats, 7 group study rooms, also known as “bubbles” (maximum
of 5 people). These are accessible upon reservation for the Graduate Institute community.
Reservation can be done online or at the Library’s reception; the “Salon Davis”, a comfortable
lounge where speaking aloud is permitted.
● The library has a great new student guide to its services! Check it out:
https://graduateinstitute.ch/library/use-library
They also offer amazing tutorials for citation managers. Save time, don’t do your citations by hand! The
schedule for those sessions can be found here:
http://libguides.graduateinstitute.ch/citation_managers
UNIGE Libraries
The University of Geneva has a number of specialized libraries located around the city.
Their complete list can be found here and the location of the six most important ones is indicated
here.

● UniMail Library: The Uni Mail Library is, by far, the most popular alternative to the IHEID library.
While it is further from the Graduate Institute it is closer for those who live in the east side of
town or in the suburbs (Plainpalais, Cité Universitaire, Carouge, etc.). Many also prefer it
because it is much bigger, spacious, and usually less crowded.
● Uni Bastions: Another UNIGE library conveniently located in the center of Geneva. It is smaller,
houses the Faculté des lettres, and is surrounded by a parc that is popular with students as
well as the general public.
Other Libraries
Apart from the University libraries there are also a number of libraries of the city of Geneva, hautes
écoles spécialisés, or the various institutions and organizations located in Geneva. One of the most
prominent ones is the UN Library.
UN Library: Although it lacks text books, the library has a substantial archive of UN and League of
Nations documents. Due to a relatively low number of visitors it is a quiet place to study. Note that
there is no wireless access at this library. To access the library, go through the UN visitor’s entrance
(opposite the Red Cross headquarters), and get a temporary library pass at the security desk. Once
you are in the library, ask to register for a normal library pass. Don’t forget to bring your student card
and passport. While the process is easy, it can take up to 2 hours depending on how busy the library
and security services are.
Practical information
Borrowing books
● To search for documents, all of the 70 libraries use the Réro Explore Geneva. Using this
catalog, you can search, locate, reserve, or renew your books with your student card. Note that
the books have to be picked up and returned to their respective libraries. Inter-library loans
from libraries located outside of Geneva are possible for a fee upon request.
● IHEID: Master students can rent up to 20 documents at once, while PhD students can rent up
to 40 documents. These limits apply to the entire Geneva library network.

● UNIGE: For borrowing books at any of the UNIGE libraries you have to present your IHEID
student card.
● Elsewhere: A library pass will be issued on the basis of an identity document and a proof of
university enrollment (i.e. your IHEID student card).
Internet login at IHEID: Wireless internet is available to all students with a Graduate Institute login
(same username and password required for course registration, as provided in registration package).
With this information it is always possible to connect to the IHEID Guest network. The Authenticated
network sometimes needs to be configured manually on your computer to continue to connect
automatically thereafter. This is a complicated procedure and the IT services have to approve each
device’s access to the network. They provide help with the configuration at the beginning of the
school year and upon request.
Printing at IHEID: Each Master student has a non-transferable quota of 500 pages per semester, each
PhD student a 2000 page quota. Up to this level one is printing for free, above this level, each printed
page costs CHF 0.10. To print beyond this amount, you must top-up your student card at the recharge
machines outside the cafeteria with the required amount. You can consult your printing statistics on
the multifunction printers.
Photocopying and Scanning: Photocopying and Scanning can also be done at the printers at the library.
For a scan, you will have to swipe your student card first or enter your email address and then scan
your documents. – pressing the # key when you’re done will end the scan and send it over to your
Graduate Institute email address.
Lockers: The lockers at IHEID are located at the main entrance to the library. They can be rented for
the semester or academic year for CHF 50.- deposit at the accounting service (on level 4). There
are 150 lockers subject to availability.
Other services
● Inter–library loan: Provides Graduate Institute students and faculty with documents not held
in a Geneva library. It is a free service.
● VPN: Allows to obtain the same access to documents on the Graduate Institute network from
anywhere in the world. Very useful, especially when you are flying home early and have papers
to finish!

● Online guide on academic writing, how to cite a source, how to search by type of document,
and the working of the IHEID library. The Library can also run your thesis through anti-
plagiarism software, upon request.
4.2 Where to go with a problem
The Institute has a great guide for “who to go to”: link provided here.
IHEID Emergency Number (Available 24 hours) – +41 (0)22 908 5911
Specific information for students with disabilities
Organization providing information to people with needs or difficulties due to a disability (mental,
psychological, physical, sensory, etc.):
DSE, Direction générale de l’action sociale, (DGAS)
Bd. George – Favon 26, 1204 Geneva, 022 546 51 45, www.ge.ch/dgas
Pro Infirmis, bd Helvétique 27, 1207 Geneva, 022 737 08 08, www.proinfirmis.ch
Insieme, association de parents et d’amis de personnes mentalement handicapées rue de la Gabelle 7,
1227 Carouge ; 022 343 17 20, www.insieme-ge.ch
Centre de Contact Suisses-Immigrés (CCSI) (centre for social insurances) (free)
Route des Acacias 25, 1227 Acacias, 022 304 48 60, www.ccsi.ch
Harassment – Antenne H
The Institute has created an anti-harassment programme, named “Antenne H”. It was established for
students as well as collaborators and is intended to improve the work and study climate at the
Institute and to help ensure the wellbeing of our community.

The programme is managed by a committee of representatives guided by the Deputy-Director of the
Institute and the Director of Human Resources. It falls within the scope of the Institute’s Charter,
which calls for Institute community members to behave in a respectful and exemplary manner in
support of our quest for excellence at the Institute and in society at large.
For more information: https://graduateinstitute.ch/antenneh
GISA Welfare Committee
The GISA Welfare Committee, founded in 2016, is a specialized committee and member of GISA which
is dedicated to promoting the physical, mental and social well-being of our Institute’s student body.
We are here to organize events, implement programs and voice your concerns or suggestions. We
welcome the involvement of any interested students, irrespective of your program and encourage any
initiative that may benefit the welfare of the student body.
You can find more about the committee here: https://mygisa.ch/all-news/welfare-commitee/
5.1.1 Scheduling classes
Class registration usually opens at 9.00 am, one week before the beginning of the semester for all
students apart from 1st year MINT students. For those students the registration page becomes
available on the following day. This is done to allow MINT students who were unable to register for
their preferred courses in their first year to take these classes in their second year.
Class registration is done through the Graduate Institute Campus site. You can access the Student
Portal by going to the Student Toolbox and scrolling down the page, and then clicking on ‘Campus’
option.
The registration website information as well as deadlines will be provided in your welcome kit.

When logging in you may be placed on a waiting list, as the number of students who can be logged in
on the system is limited. This can be nerve-racking but don’t panic. Hardly anyone manages to log on
without being put on a waiting list, and your position in the queue will move faster than you think.
Once logged in, the main screen will give you the option of clicking “Registration to Classes”: this will
give you a list of all the courses that you are eligible to sign up for. The time you have to select your
choices once logged on is limited, so we suggest that you decide on your choices before you go on the
portal.
You are allowed to sign up for up to seven courses. If you are unsure which courses you would like to
take, we recommend signing up for six or seven and then dropping down to five once you have decided.
We kindly ask you to unregister from courses as soon as you decide not to take them, because you
might be blocking a place for someone else.
There are a limited number of places for many courses. Usually, spaces are assigned on a first-come-
first-served basis. When signing up you will be able to see how many spaces are already taken. If your
chosen course is already oversubscribed, don’t panic. As mentioned above, people usually register for
more courses than they eventually pick. If you are interested in an oversubscribed course, register
nevertheless and hope for the best, but also register for an alternative.
If you are choosing classes outside of your course curriculum, you may not have priority for a course.
This is shown on the registration page as well. This means that the allocation of spaces for this
course works in a 2-tier first-come-first-served system. If a large enough number of students from
that discipline sign up for this course, even after you, they prevail and you may not get a space even if
there are spaces available at the time when you sign up.
You can follow how many people have signed up to which course and make changes to your choices
within the first two weeks of classes. Do not forget to drop any classes you do not want to take
within these first two weeks!
Course Substitution: If you already have a strong background in subjects covered by mandatory
classes, you can request to substitute this course with an elective course instead. Contact the
Academic Assistant of your program and the head of unit as soon as possible to enquire about the
forms and deadlines involved with derogation. Note that decisions are not taken until a couple weeks
into the semester, so you will need to register in person for an additional course until you know
whether or not the derogation is approved.

Transferring to a different programme
If you are unhappy with your program of choice, it might be possible to apply for a transfer to another
unit during your first month of classes in the Graduate Institute. In the past years, students initially
registered for MIA and MDEV degrees were able to switch programs after providing sufficient
justification for their demand, and subject to the places available on the programme. Please note that
policies might vary from year to year and from case to case, so make sure you contact the directors of
the respective units (and the director of the Graduate Institute, when necessary) before placing a
request.
If you feel you should transfer your program, contact the Academic Advisor, Laurent Neury, at the
contact information available on this page when you arrive in Geneva. Additionally you should get in
contact with your department chair. You can select your department here and find contact information
on the ensuing pages.
5.1.2 School work and thesis
The Graduate Institute offers two kinds of graduate degrees: Interdisciplinary Masters (shortened as
MINT), and Disciplinary Masters and PhDs. Equally important, the different programmes nonetheless
have different requirements and objectives, and the nature and the amount of workload can therefore
differ. In general, the Disciplinary Masters are recommended for those wishing to pursue a PhD. Each
of the Masters programs consists of 3 semesters of coursework and one semester to prepare a
dissertation. Typically, one semester consists of 5 courses, with each course having 2 hours of class
time per week, often with additional sessions led by Teaching Assistants (TAs).
The PhD programmes last up to 8 semesters while the fast-track Master and PhD combined
programme can be completed in 10 semesters as opposed to 12.
Academic information
The primary point of reference for students is the Students section of the Graduate Institute website.
Here, one can find the course schedules (Autumn 2019 and Spring 2020) as well as various academic

resources, including the following key pages: 2019-20 Course Catalogue and Academic Calendar. The
portal also leads you to the Career Services website as well as other useful information. A more
detailed description of courses and their syllabi can be found on the department pages of each of the
study programs, accessible from the Graduate Institute website. The specific requirements for each
program can be found in the Course Catalogue. Other relevant information is also available in the
admitted students portal (most recent version).
Again, the student section of the Graduate Institute website is a go-to for any academic information.
Here you’ll be able to find everything from academic departments to the academic policies and
regulations. Below are some other resources that will likely be helpful, but it’s a good idea to browse
around the student section page to see what is available.
● Campus Map
● Career Services
● Student Support
Evaluation
For all courses, student coursework will be evaluated based on criteria defined and communicated by
the faculty at the beginning of the course. Evaluation criteria at the Institute are quite diverse,
depending on the academic unit as well as professors‘ academic background and individual
preferences.
In some units (especially in Law and Development), you will more often experience a “continental
European” style of teaching: prolonged lectures with limited intervening space for students, and an
exam or research paper to submit by the end of the semester, counting for 100% of the grade.
In other units (mostly in Political Science, International History & Politics, and Economics), classes
more often have an “Anglo-American” touch: interactive seminars where students are expected to
regularly contribute and are continuously evaluated through class participation, short essays,
research papers, oral presentations, and take-home exams.

Apart from enabling the registration to classes, Campus also provides access to reporting. Please
note that only the final grades are available for review during the grading period following each
semester; the transcript is not available at this time.
Grading system
The Graduate Institute uses the Swiss 6-point grading scale, where 6 represents the highest grade
and 1 the lowest possible one, with intervals of 0.25. The only formal rule regarding grading is that
succeeding in a class requires a 4; getting less than a 4 is equivalent to failing the class. In many
cases, students who receive a final failing grade of 3.75 will be given the opportunity to pass the
class through “rattrapage” – an additional assignment that will increase your grade to a passing 4.
Beyond this formal rule, professors’ ways of grading are not uniform and vary greatly from one unit to
another and one individual to another. Grade averages between 5.5 and 6 are very rare; an average of a
6 is virtually impossible. As a rule of thumb, anything above 5.0 is very good.
Submitting papers
In accordance with the Institute’s policy of bilingualism, students, faculty members and
administrative staff are free to express themselves in either English or French. Most papers, take-
home exams, etc.are to be submitted electronically but you may be asked to provide a hard copy as
well, depending on the preferences of the particular professor. In general, to prevent problems with
access it is better to send your papers in .doc or .pdf formats. Most professors do not have a
preference for the citation style used as long as it is consistent; if they feel strongly about the matter
they will let you know.
Master’s Thesis
The Institute does not expect you to have a precise idea of what your thesis topic will be upon
acceptance. Spend your first year taking courses you are interested in and courses with professors
you might eventually be interested in working with on your thesis. The late spring and summer

between the first and second year is the right moment to settle on a precise topic and ask a
professor to be your supervisor. By early September, you will have to officially submit a working title
approved by your supervisor. When thinking about whom you would wish to work with as a supervisor,
it might be a good idea to discuss with other students who are at the end of their thesis writing
process. You can also look at previous thesis works of Graduate Institute students. Part of the
richness of the Institute is the diversity of backgrounds and profiles of its faculty, and it is in your
interest to ask somebody who will in the best position to help you. Areas of interest should of course
be taken into consideration, but it is also important to find someone you trust and are comfortable
with. A short plan of the thesis (few pages, depending on your unit and supervisor) is to be submitted
before the beginning of your last semester and the final version of the thesis is to be submitted mid-
June. You will be informed about all the details and deadlines on the website and typically via email as
well.
GISA Tip
The Graduate Institute has much to offer, from interesting classes, excellent professors, and great
location to networking opportunities – it is up to you to make the most of it. Know exactly what you
want to get out of the experience and/or explore your options. Do you want to continue on an
academic path, open your door to the Geneva employment opportunities, learn about a particular issue
area, or work with a specific person? Make sure to adjust your classes, professors, and grade
expectations accordingly. It can be challenging to get high grades at IHEID and even much more so if
you want to hold a part-time job on the side. While nothing is impossible and high grades are surely
desirable, a Master’s degree from the Graduate Institute on its own also has its weight. Our advice is
to take the first semester to see how the Institute works, what you can expect, and how much work
you need to put into the classes, and adjust your activities after that according to your specific
needs.
5.1.3 Learning French
Affordable French courses

Apart from the French classes offered by the Institute, you can attend classes organized by the
faculty of the University of Geneva. They offer courses starting from the elementary level. From the
intermediate level onwards, you can select classes focusing on either grammar, writing or
conversation. The registration can be done online usually during the first two weeks of the semester.
People on scholarship can attend two courses per semester for free; otherwise, the fees total 250
CHF per semester for one course or 400 CHF, for two. Beware though that many classes are offered
only once in a week and that some courses can be very crowded. More info can be found at
thttp://www.unige.ch/lettres/elcf/coursappui.html.
For their summer courses, see also www.unige.ch/lettres/elcf/coursete/index_en.html
The Université Populaire du Canton de Genève (http://www.upcge.ch/entree.php) offers French
courses for 50 CHF that run from October to June and meet twice a week for 1.5 hours per session.
They are open for registration twice a year, but if you decide after registration closes that you would
like to join, this is usually possible as well. They test your level and put you in a class that best
matches what you know. Courses in other languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, and
Portuguese, are also offered.
Tandem language exchanges
UNIGE offers the option to sign up for language exchange partnerships with other students at the
University of Geneva for free. Based on your language preferences for learning/teaching, the system
will match you up with other students for language exchange. Information can be found at
http://www.unige.ch/tandems/about_en.html.
Self-study
As some compulsory courses are given in French, be sure to have a good dictionary at hand. An
electronic dictionary has the advantage of fast search and in some you can easily add the words you
look up to a flashcard database. (Reverso.net is pretty reliable when working on a laptop). Be sure to
have audio files included in your dictionary, so that you can learn the pronunciation which is not
always easy in French.

If you like studying with flashcards, go for a spaced repetition system, which means that a specific
word or phrase will be shown to you in a larger or smaller amount of time, based on how well you
remembered it at the last review (you grade it). Anki, for example, is a program that uses spaced
repetition, with the advantage of being open-source software and available for many operating
systems. The desktop version is free, the iPhone app costs about 25 CHF. There is a huge database of
vocabulary lists for many languages that you can download for free once you have the program
installed on your computer, and of course you can create your own database in a very flexible and
user-friendly way. It is not only useful for languages, but also for definitions, mathematical formulas of
econometrics, remembering the main points of ICJ case law, and virtually anything you don’t want to
forget!
For beginners, you can start off with language learning apps such as Duolingo or MosaLingua. Rosetta
Stone is also a great learning program (although it is expensive) which makes you learn the language
just like a kid learning its mother tongue – not by memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary, but by
being exposed to the language in a social context (the software uses tons of photos). It’s particularly
advisable for the audio-visual learning type and for languages that are not too difficult. If you want to
be able to write Chinese it’s definitely not enough! It’s great up to the intermediate level, but then you
have to use other methods.
GISA Tip
Since you’re living in a French-speaking city, go out and join clubs and associations (e.g. UNIGE sports
clubs, choirs, improv classes), try to meet local people and practice your French as much as possible.
Read novels, watch movies (the library of the University of Geneva has lots of interesting movies,
besides of course the IHEID library, Swiss Netflix is also a good option), learn French songs by heart,
etc. It’s tough to pick up the language at the Institute since we are hardly required to use in in our
day-to-day, but knowing French, even just enough to make basic conversation, will definitely enhance
your experience in Geneva!
The French Test

Knowledge of French before Geneva
If you have no prior knowledge of French, do not worry. You will not be the only one. If you have some
knowledge, but don’t think it’s sufficient for living or studying in French, also do not worry. If you don’t
have a strong enough background in French, you will be required to take a 3-week intensive French
course before your first semester and you will have weekly French classes throughout your first two
semesters. Of course, if you have a stronger knowledge of French, you do not have to attend these
courses.
The French course
This is an intensive course organized during the three week period before the beginning of the
semester. Before you arrive in Geneva, you will be asked to do an online test, based on which you will
be placed in groups. However, if you find yourself in a group which does not fit your level of French,
there is still a chance to be moved during the course. The lessons take place from Monday to Friday
and last about three hours, either in the morning or the afternoon.
The French course will be your first chance to meet your new classmates. Especially towards the end
of the first three weeks, the French course turns into a very nice social event. We recommend
attending, if you’re on the fence. And even if you are not attending the course, if you are already in
Geneva during these three weeks, try to find out what the French course kids are up to and join them.
If you have any doubts about the French course which weren’t covered here, please get in touch with
the Admissions Office: https://graduateinstitute.ch/Admitted
Students attending the intensive course will sit the French course in semester 3 of their studies.
5.1.4 The French test
The French test is scheduled to take place in September, usually during the first week of term.
Every student is required to sit for the French test, unless they meet one of the exemptions below
(scroll down). The test consists of a strong portion of listening comprehension which will test

students’ ability to understand and, in some cases, analyze what is being said in a series of French
spoken texts. However, the test of course changes every year.
GISA Recommendation: To prepare for the test, work on your listening comprehension through audio
programs (we recommend Pimsleur, which is quite good) or even through simply listening to French
movies, at first with your native language subtitles and then without them. Work on reading
comprehension through reading French newspapers online (try Le Monde, Liberation, Figaro); even an
article a day can help you build your French up a bit more prior to arriving in Geneva.
If you do not pass this test, you will be able to take it again the following year after taking the weekly
French classes during semesters 1 and 2.
Exemptions from the French test
Students will not be required to take the French test if they:
● are French native speakers
● have completed secondary education in French, attested by the diploma
● have completed at least one year of university studies through French, attested by the
transcript
● submit a French language certificate equivalent to or higher than a DELF B2 level
Make sure you bring any documents related to your French level with you when you arrive in Geneva.
More courses and resources
There are a number of resources available if you would like to improve your French with supplementary
courses or “tandem” language exchanges. Visit the learning French page for more information.
5.1.5 Scholarship

Scholarship types
The Institute offers three types of scholarships. Go here for details on how to apply.
Full scholarships
Usually, these full scholarships amount CHF 20,000. Recipients are exempt from Graduate Institute’s
tuition fees. Some full grants are awarded subject to special conditions (duration of study and/or
geographical origin of students).
Partial scholarships
The value of these grants varies according to the individual needs of the recipient student. Recipients
still need to cover their tuition fees.
Tuition scholarships
These grants cover tuition fees for one academic year. They are awarded to exceptional students.
Scholarship renewal
Scholarships are granted for one year only. Students have the possibility to re-apply for the
scholarship the next year; however, there is no guarantee regarding its renewal. Criteria related to
both merit and needs (other available sources of income such as another scholarship, parents’ income
or a job) are said to be taken into consideration, but there is not much information available on the
precise weight of each criteria.

Other options
Although the prospect of not having the scholarship renewed can be a source of major worry, students
need to keep in mind that other sources of income are available, as many other students finance their
studies through alternative scholarships, loans and part-time and summer jobs/paid internships.
Suggestions where to look for scholarships:
http://www.scholarshipportal.com/
OFID Scholarships (for developing countries students): http://www.ofid.org/FOCUS-AREAS/Beyond-
the-scope/OFID-Annual-Award
International Scholarships:
http://www.internationalscholarships.com/
Scholarships for developing countries:
http://www.scholars4dev.com/
Scholarships Times:
http://www.scholarshipstimes.com/
World Endeavors Scholarships:

https://www.worldendeavors.com/scholarships
Postgrad.com Study Bursary:
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Golden Key Scholarships:
https://www.goldenkey.org/scholarships-awards/overview/
IEFA:
http://www.iefa.org/scholarships
Fundsnet Services:
http://www.fundsnetservices.com/searchresult/30/International-Grants-&-Funders.html
Search Scholarships with Unige (partner of the IHEID):
http://wadme.unige.ch:3149/pls/opdinf/pbsfiche20w$.startup
Also, do not discard the Rotary Club, as they can offer Scholarships for non-Rotarians if your
work/studies are related to their areas focused on development: peace and conflict
prevention/resolution; Disease prevention and treatment; water and sanitation; maternal and child
health; basic education and literacy; and economic and community development. In this case you have
to contact the club closest to your residence.

Searching for your country-funded and specific scholarships are also worth your time. For instance, we
know that the governments of Mexico and Germany can provide scholarships for their citizens
studying abroad.
US financial aid
Students with a United States passport or residence permit have access to loans through the US
Department of Education Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).
For more information, contact Kasia Wasiukiewicz (scholarships@graduateinstitute.ch)
Emergency aid
If you encounter serious or unexpected financial trouble (you lose your job, your scholarship, etc.), the
institute also offers emergency aid. You can apply by filling out this form and submitting it to
specialaid@graduateinstitute.ch
Jobs and Internships
Visit our work and internships page for more info about finding employment in Geneva.
5.2.1 Getting involved at IHEID
In brief, you can get involved in the Institute through the student initiatives and/or the opportunities
provided by the school itself.
Speaking about the initiatives, there are more than a dozen and they cover a lot of ground, from
Human Rights, sustainability to party-planning and board games. The most active initiatives tend to

be regional ones, such as the Latin American Network Initiative, Middle East North African Initiative,
IHEID Afrique, and Student Initiative on Asia. For more information, check on GISA website in the menu
initiatives: http://mygisa.ch/studentinitiatives/
The opportunities provided by the Institute are generally shaped for academic or professional
engagement. In this case, you should pay attention, from the beginning, to the electronic newsletter
sent every week by the Institute and other emails. We can give some examples such as:
● Moot Courts: Each year the Institute creates teams to compete in the moot courts dealing
with affairs like public international law and trade.
● Laws without walls
● Geneva International Model United Nations (GIMUN)
● Geneva Challenge
Moreover, there are often movie screenings, conferences and debates held inside the Institute or in
International Geneva. In the past, figures such as the CEO of Microsoft, the Dalai Lama and Kofi Annan
(who comes around every year) were present.
MINT Mentorship Programme
The Mentorship Programme began in 2015 as a student-run initiative. The co-founders wanted to
improve the MINT experience for the future cohort, helping to smooth their transition to Geneva by
offering a match between incoming first-year students and seasoned second-year students. As
mentors, second-year students can support incoming students with their transition to life at the
Institute and in Geneva. They assist them with planning courses, accessing student services,
understanding administrative processes, getting to know the Graduate Institute and Geneva, and
providing tips for a successful start of the academic year.
Now in its fifth year, the programme has expanded its mentor base in order to accommodate as many
mentees as possible. In addition to facilitating the communication between individual students, the
programme organizes welcoming events for programme participants in the beginning of the academic
year, as well as relevant workshops on career advice, thesis preparation, and academic success for
the whole MINT community during the second semester. The Co-Coordinators, one each from the MIA

and MDEV programme, can act as a liaison between the students and the administration, and serve as
key resources for students who require additional assistance.
Recruitment for mentors as well as mentees happens in the month of August, although first-year
students may also be able to request a mentor during the year in exceptional circumstances. We
recommend incoming students to apply for the Mentorship Programme, as it can be of great help for
the beginning of their studies at the Graduate Institute.
The Co-Coordinators for 2019-20 are Aynur Asadli and Manuel Simon, from MIA and MDEV respectively,
and they can be reached at mintmentorship@graduateinstitute.ch.
5.2.3 Work and Internships
Work permit for foreign students
EU citizens are allowed to work in Switzerland as soon as they have received their “permis B”. The job
search can thus begin as soon as they arrive in Geneva.
Non-EU citizens holding a “permis B” are not allowed to work during the first 6 months of stay in
Switzerland. Many employers (both paid and unpaid jobs) are reluctant to even interview foreign
students who have yet to be in Switzerland for 6 months.
Tip: Just because you are not legally allowed to work, it does not mean that you should forego the job
search. Many students have successfully made contacts and secured employment by the 6 month
mark by networking successfully, attending career events and sending emails to potential employers.
Finding a job
Many students of the Institute manage to combine a part-time job along with their study program.
Geneva is a competitive place to find work, where most jobs are attributed through contacts and

networking. However, Career Services at the Institute sends between 3 and 10 offers for part-time
jobs or internships by e-mail every week, which is a good way to start job-hunting:
Note that the Career Service also frequently organizes information sessions and meetings with
professionals active in both international relations and development, as well as the private sector,
which can be an appropriate moment to make useful contacts or enquire for job/internship
opportunities. Students and recent graduates also receive offers of full-time first jobs.
A similar service is also offered by UNIGE, by means of “Uni-emploi”. For more information, check their
website: http://www.unige.ch/emploi/Accueil.html (French only).
Tip 1: IHEID career services also offer career coaching. Incoming students are encouraged to make an
appointment to review CVs, write cover letters, prepare for interviews or simply establish more
specific career goals and plan. To receive career counselling, make an appointment by emailing the
career services.
Tip 2: CVs in Switzerland require more information than CVs in other countries, specifically North
America. To be properly assessed, your Swiss CV requires a small photo of yourself, your date of birth,
nationality(ies), Swiss work status, as well as your address and contact information. CV length for
Masters Students is recommended to be no more than 2 pages, whereas PHD students may go up to
4 pages. Career Services can help you prepare the perfect CV and an appointment is thus
recommended specifically for foreign students.
Internships
An important number of international organisations, NGOs, governments and private companies recruit
interns through the Institute‘s Career Services. Finding an (unpaid) internship for the summer or as a
complement to your studies during the year should not be difficult, while paid internships are much
harder to come by.
If you have a really precise idea of what type of internship you are looking for, it might be advisable to
start looking three or four months in advance. However, if you have only a broad idea of the type of job
description you would be ready to sign up for, and are open to many kinds of internships, not having
found a summer internship by April or even May should not be a worry.

Tips: IHEID’s professors are extremely well-connected and it is perfectly acceptable to approach them
for advice or questions relating to possible employment opportunities. Certain students have even in
the past successfully secured internships by approaching professors they got along particularly well
with. Networking in general is a good strategy; chat with career professionals, alumni, and even your
fellow students. You never know when an opportunity will arise!

GISA Student Guide 2021.docx

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to GISA Student Guide 2021.docx

Similar to GISA Student Guide 2021.docx (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

GISA Student Guide 2021.docx