UNI VE R SITY OF BERN

Summer School programs in Bern

A Unique Swiss Experience CONTENT

University 4 Top facilities for cutting-edge research

Courses and Teaching 6 Academic excellence in small groups

Bern 10 New meets old – a modern medieval city

Leisure 15 Between Aare and Alps – active recreation

Practical Information 18

2 Study in an intercultural environment 3 UNIVERSITY

Before hoisting the US flag on Today, the university has the moon on July 21, 1969, Buzz about 18 000 students from Aldrin rolled out the Bernese all disciplines, studying and solar sail, heralding the start of researching in venerable pioneering space research by buildings and contemporary the University of Bern. For the facilities, most within walking last 50 years Bern has played distance from the historic city a leading role in space science, center. The campus provides and is world class in climate modern workspaces with top sciences, international trade, fun- infrastructure. And a choice damental physics, preventive of on-site cafés offers plenty medicine and sustainable deve- of places to eat and socialize. lopment research, amongst other fields. It was here that Albert Einstein formulated his Theory of Relativity and the Russian philosopher Anna Tumarkin became the first female professor in Europe.

Relax in front of the imposing main building

4 5 Exchange ideas and draw fresh inspiration COURSES AND TEACHING

The Summer School programs academic excellence. Thanks to students from around the world. reflect the spirit of the the highly motivated scientists Hence they not only provide University of Bern; interdisci- who teach and research here, participants with an insight into plinary courses in small groups the University of Bern regularly the University of Bern and life in at top level. The latter can be features high up in international Switzerland, but also offer them taken quite literally, since some rankings. Those who attend the the opportunity for intercultural of the programs offer excursions Summer School programs derive exchange. to dizzying heights like the real benefit from having direct Jungfraujoch at 3571 meters’ access to the latest research altitude. But first and foremost findings. The programs are the Summer School stands for taught in English and attract

6 7 “A Summer School is a rewarding experience as the informal setting, the small group of participants, and the joint meals allow for ample exchange and discussions among the participants and between “This Summer School was unlike the teachers and the participants. Summer Schools any other I’ve experienced are great opportunities to brush up and increase previously. It was incredibly technical skills or to broaden one’s scientific well-organized, informative and, knowledge.” most of all, enjoyable. There was so much to take away from Prof. Olivia Romppainen-Martius, the lectures and workshops course instructor, University of Bern that I can apply to my academic pursuits.”

Ananth Shankar, participant from India, Bachelor Summer School Climate Change Research

Benefit from top facilities 8 close to the city center 9 sits majestically over Parliament charm and its people are Square, where a medley of renowned for being relaxed dialects and languages give the and friendly. The city ranks top city a truly international flair. in terms of quality of life and And with acclaimed museums like safety, and its central location the Museum of Art, the Paul Klee means it’s an ideal starting Center or the innovative Museum point for visiting other parts of of Communication, there is Switzerland and Europe: Zurich, plenty to see and discover. The Geneva, Milan and Paris are all Swiss capital, with a population just a short journey away. of around 140 000, has immense

BERN

A spectacular view of the Alps, a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, and an abun- dance of historical wealth: that’s Bern. The medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with attractive arcades and fountains, is ideal for shopping or a leisurely stroll. The Federal Palace, seat of government and symbol of Swiss direct democracy,

10 Stroll through the old city center 11 “The program is an opportunity for practitioners “Because this program was to access a wealth of knowledge on cutting-edge interdisciplinary, there was so trade policy and regulatory issues. The mix of much to learn in addition to academic rigor, creativity in research and practical the scientific aspect of climate reality checks that are factored into the program change. The political and make it a mind opener.” economic aspects are valuable pieces of knowledge, which I Jean-Sébastien Roure, participant from France, might have never encountered in World Trade Institute Summer Academy my studies at university.”

Arisa Barcinas, participant from Hawaii, Bachelor Summer School Climate Change Research

Discover and explore 12 the beauty of the Alps 13 LEISURE

Apart from challenging in summer, bringing together intellectual stimulation, the people from all walks of life. Summer School programs offer At weekends, the city center lots of opportunity for joint is transformed into an open- activities outside the classroom. air stage, with music festivals, Be it a barbecue, a Swiss-style parties and other cultural events. aperitif, a hike, a city tour or And when the nights become various sporting activities, there shorter, the numerous bars, is something for everyone. Bern cafés and clubs compete for the has a wide choice of recreational patronage of the revelers. activities for winding down after a hard day’s work. One of the most popular among the Bernese is a swim in the Aare; the river is a veritable magnet

Take a swim in the Aare – 14 a summer must! 15 “Without a doubt the aspect of the program that exceeded my expectations was the quality of the friendships that I made. Our “I had the opportunity to parti- group was an excellent blend of cipate in the MeBoP Summer international students and Swiss School course and it was an nationals.” outstanding experience! At the Find answers to challenging questions scientific level, I had the chance Leopoldo Navarrete, participant to meet and to discuss with great from Mexico, Bachelor Summer experts. I have learned many School Climate Change Research cutting-edge approaches. When I came back to my country, I friends and colleagues from all have developed a new thematic the Middle Eastern countries in my Laboratory studying the and to visit the wonderful city cutaneous leishmaniasis among of Bern. Don’t miss out on the refugees in Lebanon. This project chance to join a Summer School has had an important impact on course in Bern!” the national and international level and has opened the door to Dima El Safadi, participant, new collaborations. During this Middle Eastern Biology of well-organized Summer School, Parasitism Summer School, I had the pleasure to meet new Lebanon

16 17 And, who knows, some of these every 30 minutes. There are also shared experiences may even regular direct-train connections develop into lifelong friendships. to all major Swiss towns and Europe’s most important cities. PRACTICAL Getting to Bern INFORMATION The city of Bern has excellent Application travel connections. You can Admission requirements and fees reach the city by road, rail or air. vary between programs. You Accommodation can find further information on Various hostels and guesthouses Bern airport is 10 kilometers the University of Bern Summer offer students inexpensive rooms from the city center. The airports Schools at with cooking facilities. These of Zurich and Basel are just over provide the best opportunity for one hour away by train, while www.unibe.ch/summerschools meeting Swiss and international Geneva airport is a two-hour Summer School participants. train ride. Direct trains depart

Study against a 18 magnificent backdrop 19 www.unibe.ch/summerschools

University of Bern Vice-Rectorate Development Hochschulstrasse 6 3012 Bern Switzerland www.master.unibe.ch/eng www.doctorate.unibe.ch

Layout: Tobias Willa Text: Allison Masciadri and Textwerk Tomczak Photography: © University of Bern, Vice-Rectorate Development (p. 1), Eve-Marie Lagger (p. 2), Tsz Yan Ma (p. 5), © University of Bern, Communication and Marketing Office (p. 7, 8, 17), © Bern Tourismus (p. 11), Nga Lun Yip (p. 13), KEYSTONE/Alessandro della Valle (p. 14), Pauline Musembi (p. 19) Printed by: Druckerei Glauser AG, Fraubrunnen December 2019 20