Housing
Temporary housing in Geneva is in very short supply and booking accommodation in advance is crucial. We have listed a number of options but successful GISP applicants will need to apply for at least option 1 and 2.
- Student hall central applications: Return the Bureau du Logement form as soon as possible and not after December 1, 2011 to the Bureau du Logement (by email: or by fax: +41 22 379 77 85). Regularly check your email for updates on your application. You can expect a reply by mid January.
- Cite Universitaire applications: Please return the Cite Universitaire form before November 30th 2011 to or by fax: +41 22 379 22 23).
- Student Residences applications: Please make contact directly with the student residences listed in the brochure “List of Geneva Student Residences”
- Privately rented accommodation: you can apply independently for privately run accommodation in Geneva and neighboring France. We must however urge you to be cautious. Never send any money without thoroughly checking the existence of the said housing and that the landlord is legitimate. You may check the web-based phone directory.
Advert providers
- Bureau du Logement housing bank
- Homegate
- GHI
- Studios in France
- Neighboring France small ads: SeLoger or ParuVendu
Health Insurance
A valid health and accident insurance is obligatory to reside in Switzerland but not in neighboring France. Students who do not hold a European Health Insurance Card will need to have the “Check form for the equivalent of the Swiss Health Insurance” sent to their home insurance so that they can certify full coverage according to the specific Swiss rules for the duration of the program. Should such a certification not be possible, students will need to sign up for an Insurance upon arrival in Switzerland. The BUIS ( Office for Student Welfare) have a variety of policies to recommend for as little as CHF 80 a month.
Check Form (174 Ko,
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Social activities
GISP students will have access to the social activities organized for the many exchange students at the University of Geneva. These activities are organized by the students' association ESN-Genève and include excursions, visits, pub crawls, parties and numerous tips concerning the social and cultural activities as well as nightlife in Geneva and in its surroundings.
The GISP has also developped close ties with the Geneva International Model United Nations (GIMUN ). It is a fully student run Non Governmental Organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Their goal is to promote the ideals and principles of the United Nations among youth - students in particular. By organizing a variety of events throughout the year they seek to provide young adults with a multilateral platform to discuss various global issues that are handled by the UN.
Like any other regular student from the University of Geneva, GISP participants will also have full access to the University's sports and cultural activities.
Student Card
GISP Students will be given a student card that will let them borrow books from the library and access to the University's sport and cultural activities. The student card will also provide the students with many discounts in Geneva bookshops, cinemas and sport resorts.
Library
GISP students will be able to borrow books from any library in the campus and will have access to all the library facilities (including computers and online-ressources).
Visa and Entry Requirements
GISP students from countries that are non UE/AELE will need to complete applications for visa and entry “Demande d’autorisation de séjour pour étude (hors UE/AELE).
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Students can refer to Instructions for help on completing the document. Students should aim to complete application procedures as soon as possible as some visas can take as long as 3 months. If you have any question on visa and entry procedure, please refer to the the Swiss Federal Office for Migration website www.foreigners.ch. When booking your flight to Geneva, make sure you have the required visa for the countries via which you may transit. They may refer to the Instructions #text
Swiss citizens, citizens from AELE and EU-countries do NOT need a visa to enter Switzerland but do need to follow the procedure described in the “Demande d’autorisation de séjour pour études (UE/AELE)".
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