Geneva, a City for Peace, Diplomacy and International Cooperation
Our International Relations department Geneva gives students exposure to the driving forces of contemporary politics, the geopolitical history that crated our modern world, the analytical skills and critical theories of political science needed to understand these dynamics — as well as unparalleled access to witness international diplomacy in action. With the Bachelor in International Relations program, students have a choice of pursuing the degree with an Emphasis in International Economics to gain added knowledge and mastery in an important sub-disciplines in international relations.
Students are not only exposed to the theories of international affairs, but also its realities "on the ground," including practicalities of the many states and non-state actors that represent the scope of today’s international arena. Whether studying the history of the Middle East, the fundamentals of human rights, environmental governance or the push-and-pull factors of international migration, students will learn from a rotation of both expert professors and practitioners.
The study program is further enhanced by having guest speakers from the various international bodies and field trips to designated agencies in Geneva.
Study International Relations at Webster in Geneva
Geneva has the highest concentration of international organizations, international NGOs and diplomatic missions in the world. It is a global meeting place where key decisions regarding the world are made. All our faculty members possess advanced degrees and have professional experience in many of these organizations in Geneva. Hence, our faculty members not only teach students about the theories and academic aspects of international relations, but also the realities of world affairs based on their own practical experience, providing valuable knowledge, analysis and insight. Our graduates enter the job market with the necessary skills to advance their careers and make a positive contribution.
Dr. Lionel Fatton On Why Webster Stands Out in Switzerland
Transcript
[Music]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus Faculty Spotlight
[Professor Lionel Fatton sits in front of a wall with a Gorlok painted on it and glass windows with a view of a tree.]
Text on screen: Lionel Fatton
Fatton: My name is Lionel Fatton, I am an assistant professor in International Relations. I'm also the Head of the program the BA program in International Relations here at Webster Geneva Campus. And I started working here as an adjunct back in 2016, then became permanent faculty three years ago and now I'm teaching here, researching.
So academically, I graduated from the Geneva Graduate Institute with an MA in International Relations back in 2008. Then moved to Japan, where I had another MA in Security Studies at Waseda University. And then I started a career as a journalist. I was working for the Japanese news agency covering the United Nations here in Geneva. But very soon realized that actually it was not truly my cup of tea, journalism, so I decided to join the PhD program at Sciences Po in Paris, also in International Relations.
And therefore, during this period that lasted like four, five years, I was working as a journalist during the day and doing my PhD during the night, so it was pretty intense for me. And I obtained my PhD in International Relations, well Political Science, in 2016, and then switched gradually to the academic world.
Text on screen: Why Webster Geneva Campus?
Well, the campus I think, one of its biggest advantages is the size — I mean, we have relatively small classrooms — and that's why from my point of view, it's special. And that's why I like to teach here, is that the interaction between the faculty and the student body is pretty dynamic. Just being inside the classroom where we can exchange, have debate, which is something that is extremely difficult to have when you have a university and there are like 200 students in the same room, right.
And second is that also you are able as a teacher to build special relationships with students, those who are motivated. Typically, I work with several students who share I would say my burden in terms of research. So I have a research assistant. We also have an IR assistant who is extremely good in everything that is logistics. And I have other students, even though they don't have for example an official status like research assistant, who are ready to help me. And we have exchanges, we discuss about topics that are happening today.
And I will say this is something, this is a campus that is human, in which you don't have this clear separation that you may have in bigger universities between the faculty body on the one hand and the student body on the other. And therefore, this synergy that is created between, I would say, the two main actors in this campus — students and the faculty body — create something that is extremely special and makes actually I would say the life and campus enjoyable for us faculty members, and I guess for the students, too.
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus
“Webster Geneva Campus is the ideal place to study international relations: surrounded by international organizations and rooted in Geneva's cosmopolitan environment, its U.S. accredited programs combine the academic rigor and the practical expertise of its faculty to build the leaders of tomorrow.” — Lionel Fatton, Head of the International Relations Program
Bachelor Programs in International Relations
(links to external catalog)
BA International Relations
BA International Relations with an Emphasis in International Economics
Minor in International Relations
Sample Courses and Instructors
- Diplomatic History.
- Methods of Political Enquiry: taught by Dr. Lionel P. Fatton, Asian Studies expert, author and award-winning scholar.
- Conduct of Foreign Policy.
- The Politics of the Developing World: taught by Dr. Jubin M. Goodarzi, renowned expert of the Syrian-Iranian relations, former consultant and political advisor to Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1990-2000.
- Theories of Human Rights.
- International Security.
Geneva was chosen after WWI as the home for the League of Nations, which created the traditions for what is today’s United Nations. The UN Office in Geneva still remains the U.N.’s largest hub outside of New York City.
As home to 38 official International Organizations and representation of International Missions from over 179 States, Geneva is unequivocally the world’s primary hub for Multilateral Affairs. There are also hundreds of international NGOs, from Amnesty International to the WWF, that conduct international advocacy in Geneva, some of whom maintain their EU headquarters here.
Traditions of Humanitarian Action also began in Geneva, with the founding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Geneva is also now home to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and hosts the Human Rights Council for its annual meetings (over 2-3 weeks) three times per year, which include many public side events.
While Geneva is a small by world standards (about 500,000 total residents), over 30,000 people employed directly in these various International Orgs, NGOs and permanent missions.
Collectively, the United Nations, International Organizations, NGOs and State Missions to the UN are known as “Genève Internationale.”
All U.N. languages are used in official meetings, yet English is the prevailing second language among the large majority of Geneva’s citizens.
What organizations advertise internships at Webster?
Each year, dozens of International Organizations, UN agencies and NGOs advertise internships that are open for students to apply. These include world-renowned foundations as well as small not-for-profits. Webster’s Career Services staff help to match students with available opportunities. In recent years, internship announcements came from UNICEF, the International AIDS Society, UNITAR, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Council of Churches, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, OAK Foundation, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, to name a few!
Can I be paid as an intern?
Each year, there are options both for paid and for unpaid internships. Some internships require work eligibility (either Swiss/EU citizenship or family resident permits that allow work); yet others are within International Organizations in Geneva from the United Nations and its agencies to specialized NGOs like The Global Fund or the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Can I do an internship during the academic year or only during summer?
Academic Internships are organized between the school and the employer; generally, these need to coincide with the academic calendar (Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer term).
Other internship opportunities are sometimes dependent upon the employer’s need. They may have an annual internship program (advertised in advance) or have ‘just-in-time’ needs about which they advertise for immediate placement.
How many hours of work are typically required?
This depends on the needs of the organization. A typical Academic Internship (which earns 3 credits — equal to one course — toward your graduation) would be 14 hours of work per week during a 16-week semester.
What skills will I need for making an internship?
Interns are often hired for a combination of knowledge (from their major) and skills they bring, from language skills to media and website development skills. Many students in IR will pursue electives in media or even marketing, to support their CV as they develop the tool kit they need to earn an internship or a job after graduation.
Student Testimonial - Fatma Ghayyour
Student Testimonial - Fatma Ghayyour
Sharing her reasons for choosing Webster Geneva to pursue dual majors in International Relations and Psychology, Fatma Ghayyour said it's the perfect fit.
Transcript
[Music]
Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo, Student Life, Opinions Academic Environment, Student Testimonials appear on screen in a moving graphic.
Text on screen: Fatma Ghayyour, International Relations and Psychology student
[Ghayyour sits in a classroom at the Webster Geneva Campus near lighted windows showing a view of trees in the background.]
Ghayyour: My name is Fatma Ghayyour. I am 21 years old. I am originally from India – that’s my nationality, but I grew up in Dubai in the Emirates. I'm pursuing my bachelor's degree here at Webster Geneva Campus I am doing a double major in International Relations and Psychology, with a minor in Media Studies.
Text on screen: Why Webster Geneva Campus?
Ghayyour: I chose Webster for a couple of reasons. While I was doing my research to apply for universities, I kept track of different elements I would want in any university I would go to. Webster Geneva Campus felt like a perfect fit because I want to pursue International Relations, and we are in Geneva, the hub of international relations, so that makes perfect sense. But also, at the same time, I wanted the flexibility to explore other areas. So initially, I joined as an International Relations major, but I slowly realized that I do really like Psychology, and I really like Media Studies, so I added them to my program, as well. So it gave me the flexibility in terms of my academic prospects, but at the same time, it was also in an academic setting that I knew I would thrive in, with smaller classroomshaving much better connections with my professors being able to get more time and attention from them, making sure that my learning is the best it can possibly be.
Plus the biggest thing for me was that the university I go to has to be in Geneva, has to be taught in English, and has to be accredited. These were the basic criterium that it definitely met, but it also had a lot of add-ons that made it perfect for me.
Text on screen: Do you feel Webster has been a good fit for you?
Ghayyour: Absolutely, I think that the decision I made to come to Webster Geneva Campus has been probably the best because not only am I studying International Relations with people who have worked in the field, but I’m also being taught by professors who either work currently in international organizations or have worked with them in the past. So I’m getting real-life knowledge from the field basically, about international relations. I think it was a good decision because of that. Being also in Geneva and studying International Relations allowed me to explore international organizations, because it is the city with the highest number of international organizations and NGOs around the world, so it made sense. I get to explore and have trips to the UN, the UN Refugee Agency, and generally have a lot of access to these institutions related to international relations.
But at the same time, being so focused on International Relations as my biggest passion, I didn’t want to ignore my passion for Psychology or Media Studies. So I’m very happy that I can incorporate these different elements and have a very multidisciplinary approach to my education.
Text on screen: How have you found the campus experience?
Student Services - there’s a whole bunch of things that they do. The first thing that comes to mind is that they organize different events for students. These events could be on campus or also off campus, like day trips and outings that we have. So in terms of events on campus it would be fun and entertaining events. The most recent one I can
remember is the pizza party we had after we came back from our midterm break, which was a really nice welcome back. We had pizzas, we had fun, and we had a little trivia. It was just overall very nice to once again, meet our friends, even though it had only been a one-week break. It was a nice reunion, and it creates a really nice vibe and it lifts up the student spirit. They do events such as pizza parties, welcome-back barbecues, and also the Thanksgiving potluck that’s organized, and there are a whole bunch of events that they do
Text on screen: Would you recommend attending Webster Geneva Campus?
Ghayyour: Absolutely, I would highly recommend Webster Geneva Campus to anyone who's considering it because, firstly, it is a university that teaches in English, which I know a lot of people want that. So it teaches in English, plus it’s accredited, and it’s in Geneva, which is a really nice place to live in. It’s like a small town, which has a lot of importance, and is very international. I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially if there’s anyone considering International Relations or considering that path in life. I think it’s a fantastic place to be.
Text on screen: Graphic of moving words: Campus Life, Opinions Student Life, Webster Geneva Campus logo
[Instrumental music swells and ends.]
Why Study International Relations at Webster in Geneva?
- Learn in International Geneva, the world’s largest center for multilateral diplomacy, where 40% of citizens were born outside of Switzerland.
- Pursue an internship with one of the United Nations agencies, international organizations or NGOs based in Geneva.
- Study in on a small campus of a few hundred, who represent about 90 nationalities each year, between students and professors.
- Attend public workshops, guest speaker presentations and expert panels, including Webster’s annual International Humanitarian and Security Conference — where you can meet diplomats and world officials.
- Join and contribute to the Webster Humanitarian Association, a student-led NGO.
- Webster’s campus is less than five kilometers from — and six minutes by train from campus — from the United Nations district of Geneva!
Master Programs
Webster Geneva Campus offers a Master of Arts in Migration, Climate Change and the Environment. International Relations bachelor majors can choose to continue their studies directly (provided they have a 2.5/4.0 scale) in our master’s program (often in combination with an internship), or to apply to specialized master programs at other universities.
Alumni from our International Relations program also recently enrolled in top master's programs, including:
- MPhil in Education, Globalization and International Development, Cambridge University, U.K.
- MSc in Political Economy of Late Development, London School of Economics, London, U.K.
- MA in Public Policy, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, Germany
- MSc in Leadership and Development, King’s College, London
- MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, Oslo University, Norway
- MA in Political Communication, John Hopkins University, U.S.
- Prev. Certificate in International Law, University of Geneva
- MA in International Conflict Studies, King’s College, London, U.K.
“Transferring to Webster was hugely positive because, as an International Relations student, I could not have received better exposure to the field in any city other than Geneva.”
Geerija Aggarwal
BA in International Relations and Economics, ’20
More from Alumna Geerija Aggarwal on Webster Geneva Campus
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