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The Geneva International Student's Program 2012 offered by the University of Geneva will take place from February 20, 2012 to May 25, 2012. Application deadline is extended until November 15, 2011.
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Geneva International Student's Program
It is a 3-month competitive program with
Intensive French language courses
Multidisciplinary courses taught in English
Exams for 30 transferable ECTS credits
Discovery of an international city at the heart of Europe
GISP's unique design combines intensive French language courses with a series of lectures and seminars taught in English on subjects and issues relating to Geneva and its incredibly rich historical and contemporary influence. These include international law and international organizations, the intellectual and cultural history of Geneva, its importance on the scientific stage, issues of multiculturalism and plurilingualism and the present-day political, economic and social situation of Switzerland within Europe. GISP has been designed as an interdisciplinary curriculum to respond to the needs and interests of students from abroad. In such a perspective, we have brought together experts in a variety of different fields, including European studies, international law, human rights, political science, economics, banking and finance, natural sciences, sociolinguistics, cultural studies, translation studies, English and French literature and enlightenment philosophy. GISP's faculty includes professors and lecturers from the University of Geneva and guests speakers.
In addition to lectures and seminars, the GISP curriculum entails visits to the most important international organizations based in Geneva. This allows students to engage with perspectives and approaches from outside the academic world and completes the overview of the offer provided by the University of Geneva's teaching programs. This "multi-voiced" program structure and pedagogical approach makes for an unusually enriching educational experience.
Application procedure
While it boasts of its specific insights in Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, the GISP is open to all undergraduate students with prior university experience. Students who already hold a BA are also encouraged to apply.
The program is NOT designed for students fluent in French or those from countries where French is a national language. However, admission requirements include basic knowledge of this language, as well as an advanced knowledge of English for non-native speakers.
Application deadline - Novermber 15, 2011. Applications will NOT be considered on a "first come, first served" basis and will not be evaluated before the application deadline.
Applications must be sent to the GISP coordinator and include:
An application letter (in English) stating why you want to take part in this program (500-800 words).
Fully-completed printed version of the online application form, duly signed and dated, with a passport-size photo attached.
A photocopy of your passport (with the date of validity).
A photocopy of your high-school diploma/school-leaving certificate and transcript of grades.
A photocopy of your university degree (if applicable) and statement of grades.
A résumé or curriculum vitae, giving full details of your education and language skills.
Evidence of the required level of proficiency in both English and French.
If your official documents (transcripts, certificates) are not written in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish, a certified translation of each must be provided.
All the above-mentioned documents must be sent in one single envelope to the following address:
GISP University of Geneva International Relations Office Bvd du Pont-d'Arve 40 CH - 1211 Genève 4
Please note that there is a limited number of places in the program and that all applications are subject to a competitive selection process. This also applies to exchange students, whose access to the GISP is not guaranteed.
Admission requirements
While boasting specific insights in Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, the GISP can be followed without prior knowledge in these fields and is therefore open to all undergraduate students with:
1. Prior university experience / enrollment
2. An elementary-to-intermediate knowledge of French, equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level A2, or:
- ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) Level 1
- DELF (Diplome d'Etudes de Langue Française) B1
- TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) B1
- A certificate deemed equivalent
Applications from students with a lower level of French will be considered, however, the level of French they will reach at the end of GISP will not be sufficient for them to enroll directly at the University of Geneva should they wish to do so.
3. An advanced level of English: mother tongue, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level C1, or:
- ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) Level 4
-TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), a score of at least 550 points in the paper-based test, 213 points in the computer-based one or 97 in the Internet-based test (IBT)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System), Levels 7 to 9
- CPE (Cambridge Proficiency in English), Levels A - C
- CAE (Cambridge Advanced Certificate of English), Levels A - C
- A certificate deemed equivalent
Tuition fees (session 2012)
The GISP is a specific fee-paying program. Participation costs amount to CHF 2'800.- and include registration to the University of Geneva, French courses, participation to the GISP on-site activities, course material and the particular GISP framework.
The GISP is also open to nominated exchange students from partner universities at a reduced rate of CHF 500.-. ALL applicants will be subject to the selection process of the GISP. Once selected, students will be invited to make a down payment of CHF 250.- (deductable from the total cost and non-refundable) as confirmation of their participation to the GISP. Prospective GISP students should note that the cost of room and board in Geneva is higher than in many other parts of the world. It is estimated at around CHF 2000.- per month. GISP 2012 Award Scholarship provided to the best GISP 2012 candidates The University of Geneva awards two scholarships of CHF 6'800- for the best GISP 2012 candidates. Students must demonstrate appropriate academic merit and have the project of enrolling to a complete UNIGE Master program after the GISP. The two scholarships are reserved for non-exchange students. Application procedure and granting criteria Students applying to the GISP 2012 Award must necessarily tick the corresponding box of the online application form and enclose the following documents to their application package:
- specific application letter (300 words, in English) stating why he/she should be elected as one of the recipient of the scholarship (giving full details about his/her academic project at the University of Geneva)
- two academic letters of appraisal
Applications will be evaluated by the GISP selection committee. GISP Award recipients will be informed about their acceptance together with the GISP acceptance letter that will be sent by mid-November.
A monthly amount of CHF 1000.- will be given to GISP Award recipients from mid-February to mid-June (= CHF 4000.-). The remaining CHF 2'800.- (corresponding to the GISP tuition fees) will be given at the end of the program, under the following conditions:
- Award recipient must have obtained all GISP ECTS Credits, i.e. successfully passed ALL GISP exams.
- Award recipient must have undertaken the procedure for enrolling to a Master program at the University of Geneva for the September 2012 intake.
GISP Award recipients will be charged the same tuition fees as the other GISP students.
Paper submissions are welcomed for the 6th Annual Graduate Conference in European History - Transformation in European History - that will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 3–5, 2012.
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Graduate Conference in European History
The “transition” of political systems in Southern Europe and Latin America since the 1970s and the revolutionary changes in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989/91 have resulted in the rise of “transformation studies” in social sciences. The term transformation is commonly understood as the politically steered transition from communist dictatorship to democracy, from a planned to a market economy, and from a closed to an open society. In contrast to this teleological reading the 6th GRACEH conference intends to explore a historical approach to transformation. A very broad working definition of the term would characterize transformation as a “period of especially intense and accelerated structural changes on a political, social, economic, and cultural level” that were caused by major political and social upheavals such as the breakdown of the continental empires in 1918, the French Revolution in the late 18th century, or the Reformation. Unlike the social sciences, we wish to broaden the application as far back as to the beginning of modern age. In what way can this concept of transformation be applied to contemporary, modern and early modern contexts? What kind of adjustments of the concept are required for the historicization of transformation?
Video Graduate Conference in European History
The following three key aspects will serve as guiding questions throughout the conference:
Which preconditions lead to periods of transformation? Which triggers, causes and turning points can be identified?
On which levels does transformation occur? How can the complexity of transformation processes be analyzed without being trapped in teleological assumptions
How is transformation perceived and interpreted by internal and external observers? How do transformation discourses influence the process itself?
The conference invites postgraduate and early career researchers in history and related disciplines to submit their papers dealing with this broad concept of transformation on the basis of textual and visual sources from the modern age onward. The proposals should consider and discuss political, social, and cultural dimensions, causes, evolution and perceptions of transformation. In order to enrich the discussion the GRACEH organizers have invited Gudrun Gersmann (DHI Paris/Universität Köln) and Christian Gerlach (Universität Bern) as external keynote speakers.
Submissions on topics
We look forward to receiving submissions on topics including but not limited to the following research areas:
■Continuity and discontinuity in transformation periods
■Agents of transformation
■Transfers and transnational dimensions of transformation
■Synchronic and diachronic comparative approaches for a history of transformation(s)
■Historical source material of transformation research
■Macro- and microhistorical approaches to transformation
■Legitimizations of transformation such as nation building, independence, liberty, and economical welfare, social movements, social network analysis, gender issues
The main conference language is English.
The conference has no registration fee. We offer logistic help to find good and low budget accommodation near the University of Vienna. A limited part of the travel cost for external participants can be covered on the basis of individual request (if you'd like to apply for a stipend, please provide documentation about your economic situation).
Please submit your proposal of max. 300 words and your CV by using the application form and send it to graceh2012@univie.ac.at
Before you submit your proposal, take a look at the checklist on the congress website!
Deadline for submission: January 15, 2012
If your proposal is accepted by the program committee, you are expected to submit a paper (5-10 pages) no later than April 1, 2012.
For any further questions, please contact the organizers by e-mail graceh2012@univie.ac.at
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Juniper Networks since 1996, Scott Kriens built and led the team from its early days of product development to its current broad commercial success.
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Scott Kriens: You Are Selected
Prior to joining Juniper Networks, Scott was a co-founder and officer of StrataCom, Inc., in both operations and sales capacities from 1986 to 1996. He also serves as a Director of VeriSign, Inc. and Equinix, Inc. Kriens holds a B.A. degree in Economics from California State University, Hayward.
Scott shares his philosophy on giving people an opportunity to grow within the company. At Juniper, he chooses the most energetic and enthusiastic person instead of the most experienced one for a given project.
