Study in Switzerland!
Institution
The University of Bern offers top quality across the board: it enjoys special recognition in cutting-edge disciplines, is reputed for the excellent quality of its teaching and offers a delightful setting. The campus environment is intimately linked to the social, economic and political life of the city - the capital of Switzerland.
The university’s comprehensive offering includes eight faculties and some 160 institutes. The university was founded in 1834. However, some of the institutes date back to the sixteenth century. With more than 14,000 students, it is of mid-range size among Swiss universities. Unlike the bigger institutions, it retains a human dimension and a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Location
The city of Bern, founded in 1191, is one of the most splendid examples of medieval town architecture in Europe. UNESCO has placed Bern on its list of World Cultural Heritage sites. The city is safe and attracts young people with its many bars, restaurants and theaters. Einstein developed his theory of relativity while living in Bern, and the largest collection of Paul Klee works is housed in town. The city is green and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including skiing in winter, and swimming in the Aare River and various city swimming pools. Bern is the capital of Switzerland and is situated in the center of the country and Europe. Zurich, Basel, Lausanne and the Bernese Swiss Alps are within an hour by train. Paris and Milan are within three to four hours' journey.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Early September to Late December
- Spring Semester: Mid February to Late May
Housing
Students on the Bern program will stay at university arranged housing.
Students participating on the ISEP Exchange program option will pay the ISEP Full Exchange Program Fee to Appalachian and will not pay housing or meal costs to the Swiss university.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
1The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester Exchange |
| ISEP Application Fee |
$100 |
| ISEP Placement Fee |
$325 |
| Airfare |
$1200 - $1800 |
| Additional Meals |
$100 - $400 |
| 1Essential Living Expenses |
$1000 - $2000 |
| Books and Materials |
$200 - $400 |
| Local Transportation |
$250 - $400 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$155 |
| Passport |
$150 |
| Appalachian Student Health Insurance |
$1110 |
| Estimated Total Additional Expenses |
|
| 2Personal Travel and Spending |
$1000 - $2000 |
1Essential living expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, etc.
2Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
Bern offers courses taught in German with limited options in English. For more information please visit the ISEP Bern webpage.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the ISEP program will be required to enroll in 12-18 credits per semester. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to an ISEP program should complete the
ISEP application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.
