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Programs : Brochure

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  • Locations: Bern, Switzerland
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: ISEP 
  • Restrictions: AppState applicants only
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Type of Program: Exchange Minimum Language Requirement: 1 or more courses at 3000 level or equivalent for non-English taught courses, None
Click here for a definition of this term Housing: Student housing Click here for a definition of this term Minimum GPA: 2.75
Click here for a definition of this term Program Strength: Anthropology, Geology Click here for a definition of this term Exchange Type: ISEP
Class Standing: Junior, Senior, Sophomore
Program Description:
ISEP Study AbroadISEP Study Abroad Navagation
Live like a local.
Universität Bern

Study in Switzerland (in German, English) - ISEP Exchange

Learn more about this ISEP Study Abroad program

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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
  Semester Exchange
App Tuition & Fees based on your residency
Housing and Meals ISEP Full Fee
1OIED Program Development Fee $200
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.
 
 


Dates / Deadlines:

There are currently no active application cycles for this program.