University of Lausanne and EPFL

The exchange program in Lausanne, Switzerland allows ISU students to study at either the University of Lausanne (UNIL) or the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Founded in 1537 as a school of theology, UNIL evolved into an academy and became a university in 1890. About 7,000 students are enrolled, of whom 1,000 are graduate students. There are 1,600 international students.

EPFL's history goes back to 1853 with the founding of the Ecole Spéciale de Lausanne, which later became the Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Lausanne (EPUL). In 1969, EPUL became EPFL, a federal institution and one of only two Swiss institutes of technology. Today, EPFL is home to 3,800 students, 138 professors, 1,400 research assistants, and 850 administrative and technical staff from about fifty countries. It is considered one of the top-ranked scientific institutions of higher education in the world.

Lausanne

Lausanne, the lively capital of the canton of Vaud, is situated on the picturesque north shore of Lake Geneva. It ranks with Geneva as the focus of intellectual life in French-speaking Switzerland and is also a popular convention and conference hub and the venue of important trade fairs.

At the crossroads of the main European thoroughfares, Lausanne, with 250,000 inhabitants, is the hub of a major rail and road network. Geneva-Cointrin airport and Zürich-Kloten airports are within easy reach, thanks to regular train service directly from them (42 minutes and 2 1/2 hours, respectively). Italy is only 60 miles away, Paris is just under three and a half hours by high speed train (TGV), Basel and Zürich are two hours away by car or train. Switzerland is truly in the center of Europe, and Lausanne is well placed to take advantage of the many wonders of continental Europe.

Lausanne abounds with activity. Big events, festivals, concerts, operas, ballets, plays, and art exhibitions follow each other in rapid succession and cater to a wide variety of tastes. The city is home to a number of fine museums including the Ancien-Evéché (former Bishop's palace dating back to the 13th century), Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, Elysée (photography), Olympic, Natural History, Hermitage (art exhibitions), and a 13th century Gothic cathedral.

There are numerous sports facilities in Lausanne dedicated to swimming (beaches and swimming pools), sailing, wind-surfing, water-skiing, rowing, horse riding, squash, and golf. In winter there are skating, curling, cross country skiing in the hills above the town, and Alpine skiing in the nearby winter resorts of the Jura and the Alps.

Academic offereings

UNIL is composed of the faculties (colleges) of Commercial Studies, Law, Letters, Political and Social Sciences, Theology, and Sciences. In addition, the university is home to the School of Physical Education, School of Modern French, Center for European Research, Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, Institute of Advanced Studies in Public Administration, and the School of Advanced Business Studies.

Students may select courses from the following majors: Actuarial Science, Ancient History, Archeology, Art History, Astronomy, Biology, Cinema, English, French, French Law, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, German, German Law, Greek, History, Information Science, International Law, Italian, Latin, Linguistics, Oriental languages & Civilization, Philosophy, Political Economy, Protestant Theology, Public Law, Social Science, Swiss Law, and Zoology.

Students who elect to study at EPFL may select from courses offered in the following majors: Architecture, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Microtechnical, and Rural and Surveying), Materials Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

The exchange program

For every Iowa State student participating in the exchange program, a Swiss student comes to ISU. The program length is either one semester (spring semester only) or one academic year. Students earn full academic credit and remain eligible for financial aid. Study abroad scholarships are also available.

Program costs

Students pay ISU tuition and fees as well as a $300 administrative fee. Students are responsible for their transportation and insurance costs and for room and board in Switzerland. Students studying at EPFL will receive scholarships from EPFL of Sfr. 2000 or 4500 (approximately $1500 or $3500 depending on the exchange rate at the time) for one or two semesters, respectively.

Application and selection

Applicants must be full-time students at ISU, be of junior status during the exchange period, have departmental approval for participation, and have a 3.00 GPA. Applicants must complete French 302 prior to the start of the program.

Those with French 202 are eligible if they spend the summer before participation in a program of intensive French. This may be accomplished in Lausanne, with tuition paid by UNIL or EPFL. The application deadline is October 1 for the Spring Semester or March 1 for the whole year.

Application forms and further information about the University of Lausanne and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne can be obtained on-line from University of Lausanne and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Please complete the University of Lausanne application form and the ISU exchange program application (.doc), and submit both with all required copies by October 1 or March 1 to:

Study Abroad Center
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
studyabroad@iastate.edu

For more information

Please contact:
Dr. Peter Reilly
2031 Sweeney Hall
Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-5968
reilly@iastate.edu