Partner Universities

CIS currently partners with the following universities in Switzerland:

Les Roches Swiss Hotel Association of School of Hotel Management

Glion Institute of Higher Education

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People and Culture

With 7.5 millions of inhabitants, Switzerland , one of the world's oldest democracies, is a confederation of 26 states, which are known as cantons. Three of these cantons are divided into half-cantons. Each canton and half-canton has its own government and capital city. Bern is the seat of the federal government with the 'Bundeshaus' (House of the Confederation) serving as the capital. The presidency is an unheralded position, which rotates annually.

Cultural life in Switzerland is incredibly rich and varied, feeding on the fertile friction between four different languages and cultures - German, French, Italian and Romansh - that live happily side by side in a rather restricted space. The seventy plus different dialects that are currently spoken here add yet another dimension to this colorful diversity.

Historic trails lead us in the footsteps of the Romans, the Pilgrims, the mule-track merchants and the Walser and allow us to travel back in time, following traces left behind in the form of old stones, ruins and objects, historic sites and ancient pavements.

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Geography and Climate

The very mention of this enchanting land evokes a myriad of images - lofty, glistening, snow-capped mountain peaks, placid lakes and emerald-hued upland meadows that fairly explode each spring with color of alpine flowers. Nature seems to have had a special fondness for this bit of central Europe ! Accenting the glorious scenery are centuries-old cities, picturesque villages and quaint hamlets.

Switzerland benefits from an ideal central location in Europe . The Swiss terrain dips from the world's highest alpine peaks to verdant valleys and lakes. The northern borders are shared with Germany ; France lies to the west; Italy is immediately to the south; and Liechtenstein and Austria form the eastern frontiers. With such a privileged central location, Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona, Munich, Vienna, Monaco or Amsterdam are just a few of the major cities that are less than two hours flying time from Geneva.

The central part of the Alps provides the dramatic scenery for most of the country The Rhône Valley splits the canton of Valais, which has a temperate climate that permits vineyards to flourish on its slopes. The Upper Rhine River runs through the eastern section, forming the border with Germany . In the west of the country is the Jura region, the most heavily forested area of Switzerland . More than half of the total land area is used for agriculture, forests cover one-quarter of the space, and the remaining quarter is made up of glaciers, rocks and lakes.

Switzerland benefits from a continental climate with four distinct seasons. However depending on the region, temperatures and conditions can be very different.

From a climate point of view, Switzerland is located in a transition zone. In the west, there is a strong influence of the Atlantic Ocean . In the east, there is an almost continental climate, while the Alps - which run from east to west - act as a climatic divide. South of the alps, there is an almost Mediterranean climate, with significantly higher temperatures.

Generally speaking, spring can be wet and cool. Summer can be warm and dry with a maximum temperature up to 35°C (95°F). Fall is usually dry but cool and winter is generally cold and dry. The temperature may drop below 0°C everywhere in Switzerland , especially at night. In the Alps , there is usually a lot of snow, and even at lower elevations, there is a good chance to have a few centimeters of snow every now and then.

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Health and Safety

Switzerland has a long record of stability and security. It is one of the reasons why parents have been sending their children to Swiss institutions.

Students are required to have a health insurance recognized by the Swiss authorities. Students in the first semester are required to take the health insurance provided by the school. Subsequently, students who do not provide a valid insurance certificate, will automatically be registered by the institution at the most competitive rate which may vary from one semester to another.

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