Health, Accessibility, & Accomodtaion

Step 5: Submit Health Review in SITES - Due March 16

Only Part I is due on Monday, March 16. Fall students have until June 1 to complete the second part with support from either the Schacht Center or their general practitioners. Spring students' deadline for Part II is October 1. 

Health, Accessibility, & Accomodation

Studying abroad requires advance preparation to ensure continuity of healthcare, academic support, and personal wellbeing during your semester in Geneva.

Students with ongoing medical conditions, disabilities, mental health needs, or prescribed treatments are encouraged to review the information below carefully and plan ahead.

• 1. 1. Traveling to Switzerland with Prescription Medication

• Speak with your healthcare provider:

  1. Is your medication classified as a controlled substance in Switzerland?

  2. Is your medication requiring to travel with documentation (medical certificate, prescription, doctor letter)? What are the permitted travel quantities?

  3. Plan to maintain medication access during your semester abroad?

• Review Swiss medication import regulations : click here

• Contact Geoblue for assistance understanding medication regulations, coverage, and medication availability in Switzerland.

2. Ongoing Medical or Mental Health Support in Geneva

Students currently receiving medical care, counseling, therapy, or psychiatric support should plan continuity of care before departure.

3. Academic Accommodations & Special Study Arrangements

Students who receive academic accommodation at their home institution (such as extended exam time, note-taking support, flexible attendance policies, or accessibility adjustments) should contact the Office for International Study as early as possible after acceptance.

Accommodation systems, legal frameworks, and institutional practices differ internationally. While the program will make reasonable efforts to support students, some accommodations available at a student’s home institution may not be available or transferable in Switzerland.

Advance communication allows the program team to discuss available options and set appropriate expectations prior to departure.

Required Documentation & Deadlines

• 1. Students requesting academic accommodation must refer to the special accommodation guidelines provided by their host institution (see below). Documentation deadlines vary depending on the academic track.

TRACK B :

1. The request for Special Accommodation at UNIGE follows precise criteria that are described on their website: click here.

2. Students must produce documentation established by health providers such as psychologists or doctors; documentation by the Accessibility Office will not be considered, to see details on required documents, click here.

3. The requests are evaluated by a special committee that meets four times/year. You can find more on deadlines by clicking here. As the evaluation may take time and the response be negative, make sure to respect the procedure, the deadlines, and to prepare a B plan. 

TRACK A and C :

1.  The request for Special Accommodation at Graduate Institute follows precise criteria that are described on their website: click here.

2.  Students send a medical certificate established by health providers such as psychologists or doctors or a previous university report including special needs to wellbeing-support@graduateinstitute.ch before the start of the academic year (semester for exchange students)

3.  The requests are examined by the office of Direction of Studies.

4. Housing & Accessibility Needs

Students with mobility needs, chronic health conditions, medical requirements, or other accessibility considerations must indicate these needs in the housing questionnaire and provide appropriate documentation supporting their accommodation request.

Housing assignments are based on the information submitted through the housing form as well as on housing availability in Geneva. Students should be aware that Geneva currently faces an important housing crisis.

As a result:

• •  accessible housing options may be limited,

  •  residential infrastructure and accessibility standards may differ from those in the United States,

  •  certain housing preferences or accommodations may not impossible to meet.

Early disclosure through the housing questionnaire is essential to support planning whenever feasible.

5. Student Responsibility

It is the student’s responsibility to:

• •  submit required documentation within established deadlines,

  •  complete the housing questionnaire accurately,

  •  communicate any relevant updates prior to arrival.

Late disclosure may significantly limit available accommodation options.