SWITZERLAND - Athletes Abroad: Webster in Geneva

Lake Forest College wants to encourage its dual-season and winter-sport varsity athletes to participate in study abroad programs, without having to give up their sport.  For this reason, we are working with several of Webster University’s programs abroad, which allow those students to study for a single term in one of several locations, while still bringing their financial aid. 

Geneva is the historic center of international cooperation and is home to the United Nations, other major international organizations, numerous multi-national corporations, and a vibrant financial and trading center. When it comes to recreation, the Alps and the Lake Geneva region offer some of the best sporting terrain in the world – right at your doorstep.  Moreover, Geneva is situated in the heart of Europe so it is easy to immerse yourself in the culture of other European cities, all accessible in less than two hours by plane.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Participant in a dual-season or winter-season varsity sport at Lake Forest College
  • Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND have second-semester sophomore status or higher before participation. (Transfer students may participate after the first semester on campus)  Junior status or higher is strongly preferred.
  • Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have junior status or higher before participation. 
  • At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
  • Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5.  
Location

Geneva is an ideal destination for students who wish to explore Europe. The campus is just a 5-minute drive from the airport and most major European cities can be reached in less than one hour by plane. For students who wish to stay closer to Geneva, the city and region do not disappoint. In addition to outdoor activities in any season, students are just a few minutes from the French border and Italy can be reached in just a few hours by train.

Academics

Webster University programs abroad have two terms each semester, with courses being taught in Term 1 or Term 2.  Lake Forest varsity athletes participating in a dual-season or winter sport would choose one term.

At Webster Geneva, you will be welcomed into Webster University’s global community by faculty, staff, and students from more than 90 nations. Students at Webster Geneva are surrounded by a supportive and collegial community which provides the individual attention necessary for academic success and personal growth.

Webster Geneva offers a wide range of undergraduate majors and minors (see reverse side). Students can choose to take courses specific to their academic area or courses from the Global Citizens Program (GCP), Webster’s globally focused general education program. GCP courses are regularly offered at Webster Geneva, allowing for a vast selection of general education courses. A student can choose from courses in the fields of accounting, anthropology, business, computer programming, finance, French, history, journalism, mathematics, management, photography, politics, psychology, religion, sociology, and much more! 

The campus offers classrooms, academic and staff offices, recording and photographic studios, a cafeteria, a fitness center, a student recreational area, and a library.  The library consists of a physical collection of over 25,000 items and is supported by a professional, accredited Librarian and trained staff.  It also includes an extensive online Library, which allows access to digital collections of academic journals in all subject areas, over 25,000 ebooks, e-reference collections, educational streaming video sites, and training materials among other resources.

More information on courses can be found on the Webster Geneva website.

Student Life

Students contribute enormously to Webster’s vibrant campus and community through the generous volunteering of their time and energy for various activities and events.For example, students assist with Orientation Day and the annual Graduation Ball. They also help organize debates, forums, guest lectures (local and international), conferences, field trips, clubs and societies, sports teams, fun evenings, and weekend events.The Student Services team at Webster Geneva can help you make the most of being in Geneva, with information on the local area, activities, and events across the city!

Housing and Meals

Student-athletes may be eligible to live on campus during their sports season, even if they are planning to study abroad that term. To maintain eligibility to live on campus, students must apply to Residence Life in advance, and meet these conditions:

  • Students need to have a clear judicial record. 
  • Students must take a minimum .5 credits on campus, as a tutorial or other partial-credit course offered in the regular course schedule.  Students would be responsible for finding a professor to sponsor a tutorial.  Partial credit options with flexible scheduling can often be found in applied music and theater.
  • Students must outline how they will spend their time without a full course load while on campus, whether it is volunteering with a student organization, with a professor’s research, or part-time work.  This is to ensure they will not be a disruption to their peers.
  • Students must choose only from available rooms after full-time students have selected their rooms.  They will pay for their rooms on a pro-rated basis.  If they are living in campus housing, they must also have a meal plan.

On-campus housing at Lake Forest is not guaranteed.  Contact Stacy Oliver-Sikorski during the study abroad application process to apply.

Students may also choose to live at home, if eligible, prior to departing on their study abroad program.

Study abroad students are housed off campus at Les Berges du Rhône. Les Berges is well serviced by public transportation, both train, and bus, making the 20-minute commute to campus a cinch for students! Housing 118 students, Les Berges is located in the center of Geneva, on the banks of the Rhône River.

OVERVIEW- Type of Units: 

  • In Suite: Double shared bedrooms, 2 shared bathrooms, communal kitchen on the floor.
  • Studio with two-beds: kitchenette, bathroom within.
  • All rooms are fully furnished and include a bed, a desk, shelving, and wardrobe.
  • Housing fee includes all utilities.

AMENITIES AT LES BERGES:

  • Student Lounge area
  • Laundry facility (coin operated)
  • Handicap access - equipped throughout
  • Wireless Internet access
  • Well serviced by public transportation – just a few minutes walk to the bus stop!
  • Public parking 5 minutes walk – at Seujet, Finance, and David Dufour
  • GPA Security checks
  • Nearby jogging along a nature path
  • On location Residential Life office

Linens, including quilt and cover, pillow and pillow case and bottom sheet, are provided for Study Abroad students. Webster-Geneva does not provide TVs, radios, alarm clocks, towels or hair dryers.Packing lists will be given in your orientation packet at the end of the semester. 3 Assistant Resident Coordinators (ARCs) live on the premises and are available to help students manage and enjoy their residence hall lives as part of the Webster community.

More information on housing can be found here

Financial Information

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a single term (1/2 semester) to Webster University-Geneva includes orientation, on-site director, college fees, the ISIC card, and housing.  Meals are not included.  

In addition, if you are approved by Residence Life to live on campus during the other half of the semester, there will be a pro-rated charge for housing, meals, and fees that are not included in this estimate.  Please see Stacy Oliver-Sikorski for details.

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:

Budget Item

DIRECT

Amount

Lake Forest College Tuition

$23,160

Pro-rated fee for housing, meals, and student fees while living on campus (estimated, and depends on your housing choice and length of time on campus)

If you are living at home during the other half of the semester, this fee will decrease to include only pro-rated student fees.

 TBD

Program fee (estimated)

Note: Spring may have added cost

TBD

Total Expected Billed by Lake Forest College

TBD

Meals

$2,000

Estimated Airfare

$1,400

Estimated Personal Expenses (passport, visas, immunizations, textbooks, supplies, personal expenses, additional national insurance if required, travel insurance, additional travel etc.)

$3,500

Total Expected Out-of-Pocket Expenses

$6,900

Total

TBD

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.  

  • Contact:

    For Questions About the Initial Application Process:

    Alexandra Olson
    Coordinator of the Global Engagement Office
    847-735-5231
    aolson@lakeforest.edu