Franklin University College Visit
Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland offers a unique American liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on global learning. This small university, with only around 400 students, provides a close-knit community where all classes are taught in English.
What really stands out is their commitment to academic travel. Every fall, you’ll head out on a 10-14 day trip with your class and a professor, exploring different places to enhance what you’re learning. By the time you graduate, you’ll have experienced at least six of these hands-on learning adventures. Definitely check out social media to see where students have traveled!
If you’re looking for a more global perspective and enjoy hands-on learning, Franklin could be a great fit. It’s a tiny school located in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, offering strong cultural immersion. While only 11% are traditional study abroad students, the rest are there for their full 3-4 years, creating a diverse student body with over 50% coming from the US and others from places like Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
Academically, Franklin is strong in international relations, business and economics, and they’re growing in environmental science. They also offer merit scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. The average GPA of admitted students is around 3.4-3.5, and you’ll need a 3.5 GPA to get into their honors college.
The university has two small campuses in Luzano, about a 17-minute walk from the Lake District with its restaurants and shops. It’s a bit of a walk uphill to get back, but there’s a train and bus. We met a freshman, a Brazilian-American from DC, who chose Franklin specifically for the travel breaks and was excited about upcoming trips to Munich and Prague. He felt most students were drawn to the multicultural experience and the blend of experiential and classroom learning.
We also spoke with a sophomore from Chapman University who was studying abroad at Franklin. Even though she’d never been to Europe, she loved the mountains and found it easy to fit in with the friendly students after initially connecting with other study abroad students. As a film major, she appreciated being able to fulfill her liberal arts requirements there.
Summary: Franklin University is a fantastic option if you want a small, American-style liberal arts college in a stunning, multicultural setting where travel is a core part of your education.
Franklin University Switzerland: Via Ponte Tresa 29 • 6924 Sorengo (Lugano) • Switzerland • +41 91 985 22 60 • admissions@fus.edu
