Switzerland: Lugano Semester

Program Overview

An American Liberal-Arts College in the Heart of Europe

Franklin College is perfectly located in the heart of Europe in Lugano, Switzerland, on the Swiss/Italian border. Situated on Lake Lugano, one of the spectacular lakes within the "Swiss Rivera," Lugano is the cultural, recreational, financial and commercial hub of Switzerland's southernmost, Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Lugano is a sophisticated and safe city, with dozens of outdoor activities, concert halls, great museums, and a variety of shops and restaurants. Lugano is also the central point of departure for all of Europe. With Lugano's rail lines and regional airport, all of Europe is within easy reach.

Students participating in the CCIS Lugano, Switzerland Semester Program have the opportunity to study a variety of fields, including Art, Business, Communication, History, Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish), Political Science, and Sociology. In addition, the program includes a two-week guided excursion throughout Europe led by professors from Franklin College. 

 


Academic Profile

Franklin College in Lugano

Franklin College

Franklin College is an American liberal arts institution located on a hillside above Lugano, Switzerland, the principal city of Switzerland’s southernmost Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. Founded in 1969, Franklin College is fully accredited in both the United States and in Switzerland.

The cornerstone of Franklin's educational mission has been its commitment to courses that are international in perspective and cross-cultural in content. In addition, students and faculty come to Franklin from every corner of the globe, further exposing program participants to other cultures and international experiences.

Course Offerings

Courses are available in Archeology, Art History, Art Studio, Business, Communication, Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, Computing, Economics, English, Film, History, Literature, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Literature (French, German, Italian, Spanish), Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sciences, and Sociology.

Academic Highlights

Academic Travel Program

The two-week Academic Travel Program is the highlight of the semester and is an integrated part of the Franklin College curriculum. During the two-week program students travel with a professors from Franklin and earn one-credit for the program. As part of the CCIS program benefits, students may choose any Academic Travel Program within Europe. However, students may also choose a program outside of Europe by paying a supplemental fee directly to Franklin College. 

Free Flight Program

For those who apply early, Franklin College provides students with a free round-trip ticket on a group flight from New York City (JFK) to Lugano, Switzerland. To qualify, students must apply and pay their $300.00 Program Deposit before the Priority Deadlines listed below. Students who qualify will receive additional information about the group flight in their Admissions Packet from Franklin College.

Note: Franklin College solely determines whether students qualify for the Free Flight Program.

Fall 2010 Semester - Priority Deadlines:

  • Application Deadline: November 20, 2009
  • Deposit Deadline: December 4, 2009

Spring 2011 Semester - Priority Deadlines:

  • Application Deadline: October 8, 2010
  • Deposit Deadline: October 22, 2010

 


Activities and Opportunities

Student Life

Orientation

To help students acclimate to their new surroundings, each semester begins with a day-long orientation conducted by the staff at Franklin College. The orientation program includes sessions on academics, living in Lugano, health and safety issues, and a walking tour of the city. Students also have the opportunity to learn more about program by contacting current and past participants on the CWU Facebook Group for Franklin College.

Campus Facilities

There are several facilities open to students in addition to the classrooms, library, bookstore, and computer labs. The Falcon's Nest is a student lounge with wireless Internet access, Ethernet plug-ins, and three desktop computers available for student use. The Falcon's Nest also has a big screen television with cable and a Foosball table. Another student lounge, Ben's Den, contains a television with international cable and wireless Internet access. At the college sports complex, students have access to a soccer field, basketball court, and weight room.

Student Activities

Franklin College offers many diverse activities for students, including a variety of campus events, student clubs, and team sports. Students also receive discounts to many of the downtown fitness centers. 

City of Lugano

Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano, Switzerland is the cultural, recreational, financial and commercial hub of the southernmost, Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. The city boasts two concert halls, great museums such as the Cantonal Museum of Art and Architecture and the Museum of Modern Art, and a variety of shops and restaurants. In addition, there are limitless outdoor activities both on and alongside Lake Lugano, including 40 of Europe's best mountain bike routes.

With its central location, Lugano is also the perfect gateway to all of Europe. The Lugano airport and train station provide ample opportunities for travel while studying at Franklin.

Housing

Student Housing

Students will share a fully-furnished campus apartment * with other program participants, located within walking distance of campus. All kitchenettes and common cooking facilities are stocked with basic cookware, silverware, plates, bowls and glasses. Students will need to bring their own bed linens and towels; however, a pillow and duvet comforter may be leased directly from Franklin College before arriving on campus. Each residence building also has a trained student Resident Assistant (RA) assigned to help participants during their time at Franklin.

The CCIS program benefits provide students with a single or double-room (Da Vinci Villa) or a triple-room (Girasole, Florida, Giardino, or Panera) apartment. Students also have the option of upgrading their housing by paying an upgraded housing fee directly to Franklin College:

  • $555 per semester for a single room in a multiple apartment in Giardino, other doubles in Da Vinci Villa
  • $840 per semester for a double apartment in Airone, Alba, Florida, Giardino, Gisasole, split doubles in Da Vinci Villa.
  • $1,000 per semester in a double apartment in Panera, Single room in Da Vinci Villa, New Residence
  • $1,090 per semester in a single room/apartment in Airone, Alba, Florida, Girasole, New Residence
  • Note: All Franklin College Fees are subject to change and will be updated as they are made available to Central Washington University.

* Due to the limited number of base housing assignments, students who are late in completing their Franklin College Housing Application may be assigned an upgraded housing option and required to pay the upgraded housing fee directly to Franklin College.

Dining Facilities and Optional Meal Plan

Franklin College offers two student dining facilities, the North Campus Dining Room and the snackbar, commonly known as the Grotto. This family-run establishment caters especially to the needs of Franklin students, yet maintains a distinctly Ticinese character. The Dining Hall serves hot meals throughout the week while the Grotto offers a full salad bar and sandwich buffet option.

Students may purchase an optional meal plan directly from Franklin College, which offers 10 meals week for 14 weeks. Additional information about the optional meal plan will be provided in the Acceptance Packet from Franklin College.

 


Lugano, Switzerland Semester Program Details

Duration

  • Fall 2010 Semester: August 17, 2010 - December 11, 2010
  • Spring 2011 Semester: January 13, 2011 - May 14, 2011
  • Academic Calendar 2010-2011

Application Deadline(s)

Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall 2010 Semester: November, 20, 2009
  • Spring 2011 Semester: October 8, 2010
  • Students who apply and pay their program deposits by the priority deadlines will qualify for Franklin's Free Flight Program. Click on the 'Academics' tab to learn more about this program.

Regular Deadlines:

  • Fall 2010 Semester: May 14, 2010
  • Spring 2010 Semester: November 5, 2010

Financial Aid

Franklin College campus scene
  • Financial aid may generally be used to study abroad if the program has been approved for credit by the students' home institution. Students should contact their Financial Aid Office to learn more about the eligibility requirements.
  • CCIS offers scholarships to students from CCIS Member Institutions. Students should contact their Study Abroad Advisor to learn more.
  • Additional scholarship opportunities may be found on the IIE Passport - Study Abroad Funding website.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student
  • Sophomore (2nd year) class standing
  • Minimum GPA of 2.50
  • Good judicial standing with no major disciplinary violations in the past 12 months

Language

  • English
  • Language courses available in French, German, Italian, and Spanish 

Academic Levels

  • Undergraduate

Costs

  • Fall 2010: $17,641
  • Spring 2011: To be determined in April 2010
  • Note: Upon acceptance, participants will be required to pay a $300.00 deposit to Central Washington University in order to secure their placement in the program. This amount is then deducted from the final program fee.

Costs Included

Fees paid directly to Central Washington University
  • Tuition & fees at Franklin College
  • Two-week Academic Travel Program within Europe *
  • Housing in a single/double room in a multiple apartment (LdV Villa) or a triple (Girasole, Florida, Giardino, Panera). Students may also upgrade their housing assignment by paying an additional fee directly to Franklin College.
  • Study abroad health insurance
  • Official transcript from Franklin College
  • Group flight from New York City (JFK) to Lugano, Switzerland for eligible students who pay their $300 Program Deposit by the Priority Deadline (click on the "Academics" tab for additional details).

* Students who participate in an Academic Travel Program outside of Europe must pay a supplemental fee directly to Franklin College.

Costs Not Included

Fees paid directly to Franklin College
  • Housing damage deposit: $360.00
  • Orientation fee: $350.00
  • Mandatory Comprehensive Swiss Health Insurance: $365.00 per semester for students 18 years of age or younger; $1,190.00 per semester for students between 19 and 25 years of age; $1,470 per semester for students 26 years of age or older (Premiums are anticipated to increase slightly for the Spring 2011 Semester)
  • Optional meal plan: $1,680.00 - $1,800.00 (click on the "Student Life" tab for additional details)
  • Supplement fee for any Academic Travel Program outside of Europe
  • Upgraded housing options: $555 - $1,090 per semester (click on the "Student Life" tab for additional details)
  • Note: All Franklin College fees are subject to change and the CCIS website will be updated as fee increases are made available to Central Washington University.
Other estimated costs
  • $50.00 Non-Refundable CWU Study Abroad Application Fee
  • Passport: $100 (estimate)
  • Round-trip airfare: $1,200 (estimate from New York City to Lugano, Switzerland)
  • Books and supplies: $700 per semester (estimate)
  • Personal expenses: $1,907 per semester (estimate)
  • Local transportation: $1,099 per semester (estimate)

Entry Requirements

  • Participants must have a valid passport
  • Franklin College will assist students obtain their Swiss Residence Permit once they arrive on campus.
  • Swiss Federal Law requires that all students be covered by a Swiss Medical Insurer during their stay in Switzerland. Franklin College automatically arranges coverage in Switzerland with a well known insurance company. Students will will receive additional information about the mandatory Swiss health insurance in their Acceptance Packet from Franklin College.
  • Non-U.S. citizens should check with the Embassy of Switzerland for additional information on entry requirements.

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Related Links

 


Your Adventure in Switzerland Begins Here

Application Instructions:

Students at Franklin College1. Complete the CCIS Application

To apply for the CCIS Lugano Semester Program, be sure to complete all of the following application requirements:

2. Mail your application materials to Central Washington University

Once you have completed the CCIS Application, mail your application materials to:

Ray Bates
Program Coordinator

Study Abroad & Exchange Programs
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7407

E-mail: batesr@cwu.edu
Tel: (509) 963-3621
Fax: (509) 963-1558



CWU Facebook Group for Franklin College

3. Secure your placement by paying the CWU Program Deposit

Upon acceptance, students will be required to pay a $300 deposit to secure their placement in the CCIS Lugano Semester Program. This deposit will then be deducted from the student's final program fee. Additional information about this requirement will be included in the Acceptance Packet from Central Washington University.

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.