Franklin College Switzerland

Franklin College Switzerland places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural perspectives, advocating that international studies should be an integral part of a college education. Franklin students and faculty come from every corner of the globe, further strengthening international study and experiences. Franklin is fully accredited in the United States by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and in Switzerland by the Swiss University Conference. This dual international accreditation allows our students to apply to graduate programs in the U.S., U.K. and Europe.

The College is located in the heart of Europe, Lugano, Switzerland. Apart from being the country's third largest financial center, this vibrant Swiss city ensures a constant commingling of cultures in a quadri-lingual nation.

Franklin College defines higher education from its beginning as the experience of thinking internationally. Its emphasis, both academically and socially, on global perspectives is designed to affect the direction and meaning of a student's college experience, life and career. Our esteemed faculty members have been selected on the basis of their academic qualifications and their first-hand experience within the international arena.

Franklin's curricula promote international awareness and critical thinking, while being interdisciplinary in the highest tradition of a liberal education. The Bachelor of Arts program offers majors in art history, comparative literary and cultural studies, environmental studies, history, international banking and finance, communications and media studies, international economics, international management, literature, several language studies, and visual and communication arts, with combined and double majors in a number of study areas. Franklin's highly acclaimed international relations program provides solid preparation for a variety of careers, such as diplomatic service, international business, government service, journalism, international banking and law.
Franklin's renowned Academic Travel Program is a core part of the academic experience and a degree requirement. This two-week-long travel program is fully guided by professors and relates to their academic expertise or knowledge of a given country or area. Whether it's speaking with Ambassadors of the United Nations in Geneva, previewing auctioned art at Sotheby's in London, or learning the native dances of Tanzania, Academic Travel provides students with a structured opportunity to learn though experience. Sites span the globe and included these countries and more in 2011-2012: Germany, Brazil, United States, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Great Britain, Italy, Iceland, the Baltics and Morocco.

Franklin students avidly participate in co-curricular activities and internationally focused clubs and organizations including the award-winning Model UN team, Student Government Association, Investment Club, AIESEC, as well as campaigns involving social justice and sustainability.

The College also boasts a strong, global alumni network. Our graduates advance to positions with top companies and organizations in a diverse range of industries including, trade and finance, government, consulting and marketing at these organizations Boston Consulting Group, CNN, CitiGroup, Ernst and Young, Deloitte, Global Botanicals Company, Giorgio Armani, General Electric, Habitat for Humanity, HSBC, ICS Financial Services, Peace Corps, United Nations, US Department of State and World Bank Group. Additionally, Franklin alumni earn advanced degrees from esteemed graduate schools worldwide, including the London School of Economics, Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge University, Duke University, Columbia University, Bocconi University, The Sorbonne University and New York University.