Franklin College Switzerland - Overview
The College
Franklin College Switzerland, named for the United States' first and most illustrious ambassador to Europe, was founded in 1969 as a nonprofit, independent, post-secondary institution. It takes as its cornerstone Benjamin Franklin's vigorous support of intellectual interchange between nations. An American liberal arts institution in an international environment, 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.
Franklin College places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural perspectives, advocating that international studies should be an integral part of a college education, as a prelude to, and basis for, a student's commitment to a major field of study. Franklin 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.
The essence of a Franklin College education is the exposure of its students to cultures other than their own, providing them with a better understanding of others, the world, and their place in the world. The college's location in Lugano, a vibrant Swiss city that is part of the cultural milieu of northern Italy, ensures a constant commingling of cultures in a quadri-lingual nation. Students and faculty members, many who have a cross-cultural background, come to Franklin College from every corner of the globe, further strengthening international study and international experiences.
Approximately 60 percent of the students come from the United States; 40 percent are from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to college life, they live in college residences both on and near the campus.
Campus activities are varied. Franklin's Student Government Association (SGA) promotes a student newspaper; a literary magazine; a drama society; cultural, language, and sports clubs; and numerous social events that take advantage of southern Switzerland's extensive recreational resources. There are competitive college sports teams in men's and women's soccer, and intramural teams include basketball, soccer, and volleyball. In addition, the athletic director enrolls interested students in a considerable number of local Swiss clubs and teams that welcome newcomers.
Academic Programs and Degrees
Franklin's curricula promote international awareness and critical thinking, while being interdisciplinary in the highest tradition of 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, international relations, literature, French studies, Italian studies, and visual and communication arts, with combined and double majors in a number of study areas. Students must complete at least 126 credit hours to be eligible for the B.A., while maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Franklin's renowned Academic Travel Program is a fully integrated part of the regular curriculum. Each semester, students participate in 2 weeks of faculty-led academic travel. More than any other program of study, it provides students an opportunity to learn though experience. Travel destinations have included Germany; England; Ireland; Scotland; Paris, Nice, and Southern France; Madrid and Northern Spain; Florence, Luca, and Siena; Venice; Slovak and Czech Republics; Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia; Greece; Turkey; Morocco; Egypt; Botswana; Japan; India; Thailand; and the United States.
Costs
The comprehensive fee for the 2009-2010 academic year was $45,300. This figure includes the cost of tuition, room and board, academic travel, and student fees. The estimated cost of personal expenses and incidentals, including textbooks, is $6,300 per year. The estimated cost range to fly round-trip from the United States is from $1,000 to $1,300.
Financial Aid
Franklin College offers academic merit awards and need-based financial aid to qualified students. U.S. applicants for financial aid must submit the FAFSA for evaluation. Veterans' and Social Security benefits are also available to eligible students. Federal Stafford Student Loans and PLUS loans may be obtained through local lenders. International students must submit the International Student Financial Aid Form. Additionally, campus internships are available. Students interested in applying for one can do so by requesting information about available Life Long Learning Scholarships through the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Learning Opportunities (CIELO) at the beginning of each semester.
Admission Requirements
Franklin College seeks students who are eager to meet the challenge of studying and living in Europe, serious about undertaking college-level learning, and prepared to contribute positively to the intellectual life of the college. To identify such students, and also to ensure a diverse student population, the college admissions committee considers both academic and personal facts, including the student's academic record, evaluations by teachers and counselors, standardized test scores, extracurricular interests and talents, and academic distinctions. Admission to the college is limited and therefore competitive.