Excursions & Activities

The BU Geneva program includes several excursions and events throughout Switzerland and neighboring France.  While these events are optional to attend, we encourage all students to participate.  Cultural exchange leads to a deeper understanding of foreign cultures and people, and strengthens students’ commitment to learning beyond a classroom environment.

A group of 35 BU students and staff at the Fall 2024 Welcome Dinner. The setting is a leafy courtyard, with a large red BU banner and people distributed between five tables.

The Welcome Dinner (Fall and Spring Semesters).  During the Fall and Spring arrival weeks, BU Geneva organizes a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant or bistro.  This event serves as an opportunity for incoming students to connect with each other, as well as meeting BU Geneva staff. 

A group of students form a line as they walk through the Lavaux region, with green and leafy vineyards on either side of the path. The day is bright and sunny, and Lake Geneva is visible in the background of the photo.

Lavaux Hike and Wine-Tasting (Fall Semester). BU Geneva students use Switzerland’s famous rail system to reach this UNESCO World Heritage site.  From the charming village of Epesses, the group walks through beautiful vineyards until reaching St. Saphorin.  Along the way, a local guide provides information on the region, and the group enjoys a private wine-tasting with wines, cheeses and charcuterie.  After the ‘dégustation,’ students travel back to Geneva by train from St. Saphorin.

A female BU student stands next to a railing with her back to the camera. She is facing a glacier in Chamonix, with snow and mountains set against a blue sky.

Chamonix (Spring Semester).  This incredible full-day excursion takes BU Geneva students to the world-famous mountain resort of Chamonix, France.  The group ascends 1913 meters, via cogwheel train, to visit the “Mer de Glace” glacier and and its ice caves.  The Mer de Glace glacier is the largest glacier in France and is located on the steep slopes of the Mont-Blanc mountain.  Lunch in the historic Refuge du Montenvers is included.  Click here to watch the Chamonix 2020 video.

The image shows the lakeside Chateau de Chillon, a historical site near Montreux, Switzerland. There are clouds and mountains in the background of the photo, and the sky is dark blue, turning to dusk. The image is a cityscape of Montreux, Switzerland. In the foreground, there are brightly-colored flowers and landscaping along a lakeside promenade. Montreux is in the middle ground, with mountains, clouds and blue sky in the background.

Montreux and Château de Chillon (Fall and Spring Semesters).  This half-day excursion invites BU Geneva students to visit the impressive Château de Chillon, one of the most historic buildings in Switzerland.  A private guide will share the history of the site, which dates from the 11th century and has served as an arsenal, prison and residence for the Counts of Savoy.  After the castle visit, students visit the picturesque city of Montreux, famous for its connection to Freddie Mercury and the band, Queen.

This image shows the town center of Gruyeres, Switzerland. There are bright red flowers in the foreground, and charming old buildings and cobblestone can be seen in the middle ground. Crowds of tourist walk around the square, and blue sky, mountains, and green pastures and trees can be seen in the background. A group of 8 female BU students pose around a large statue of a chocolate bar. The setting is the Cailler chocolate factory, near Gruyeres, Switzerland.

Gruyères (Fall and Spring Semesters).  This full-day excursion offers the very best of Switzerland: a fairy tale-like castle, grazing cows, delicious chocolate and renowned Gruyère cheese.  Students take a private bus from Geneva to the Cailler chocolate factory.  After a tour of the factory, students will travel to nearby Gruyères, a hilltop village that features a beautiful medieval castle.  Students arrange their own lunch (we recommend a fondue using Gruyère cheese). Following a private tour of the castle, students return by bus to Geneva.  Click here to watch the Gruyères 2020 video.

A group of 40 BU students are gathered in the Muzy student residence. They are seated around several tables and are enjoying the Swiss Food evening event, organized by the Student Life office. A group of 19 BU students are gathered during a wine-tasting event at Chateau du Crest. The Chateau is located in the countryside near Geneva, and is visible behind the students. The sky is blue and cloudless in the background. A group of 33 BU students and staff are gathered for a Thanksgiving dinner. There are small pumpkins on the table, along with napkins and placemats in fall colors (orange and yellow). An American flag is displayed in the background, behind the students.

Gastronomy and Wine-Tasting.  Depending on the semester, BU Geneva also organizes visits to local Swiss vineyards,  a Swiss Food Night (showcasing national specialties) and a festive Thanksgiving dinner.

A group of 26 BU students and staff stand on a lakeside dock at sunset. The Jet d'Eau is visible behind them, and the city of Geneva is further in the background. Several boats can be seen floating in the water behind the group.

The Internship Program Farewell & Physics Program Farewell evenings (All Semesters).  The Farewell Cocktail provides Internship, Physics and Global Governance students an opportunity to say goodbye to each other, their supervisors and fellow staff, and to their BU professors and staff.