Start right. Come with an open mind and a strong sense of curiosity.

Each year's cohort is unique due to the students' diverse academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds. The MSIM (Master's in Management) is an intensive one-year graduate program that provides students with a rigorous business education. By adopting a transdisciplinary approach rooted in the liberal arts tradition of Franklin University Switzerland, the program equips the cohort with a comprehensive managerial skill set. Students receive cutting-edge management training integrating theory and practice through collaborative teaching and partnerships with various institutions.

Franklin's Master's education combines the best practices of in-class, online, and on-site learning. Courses taught on the Franklin campus focus on contemporary managerial topics and are delivered in small groups by faculty members from different disciplines across the four Divisions.

The program spans one academic year, commencing with Foundation courses in transdisciplinary management during the Fall semester and January term. Specialization tracks are pursued in the Spring semester, culminating in a six-week practical experience and Thesis during the Summer term. Mid-semester breaks are scheduled in October and March, with a winter break between December and January.

During the Fall semester, students engage in a participatory and collaborative learning environment to develop leadership and management skills. The term is intense, providing a transformative foundation for students.
Students embark on a dynamic and experiential learning journey within their chosen specialization tracks in the Spring semester, including Business and Sustainability, Digital Transformation, or Arts and Luxury Management.

The practical experiences offered within the program provide students with invaluable opportunities to work and network in international organizations. By actively participating in real projects alongside Franklin's partners, students gain the knowledge, experience, and credentials necessary to launch into the next phase of their careers.

Pack your bags

Lugano enjoys continental weather with all four seasons – you will need warm winter clothing, rain gear, and comfortable footwear. In Europe, cobblestone streets are common and in Lugano, there are many wooded paths and green areas. Prepare to dress comfortably in a variety of landscapes and all types of weather. The following list of suggestions is based on what our students usually bring to live in Lugano. Other items such as class materials and cleaning supplies can be purchased in local shops. 

What to Bring

Bring your laptop computer. The campus is spread out, and students can take advantage of our campus-wide wireless network.
Learn more about Information Technology at Franklin

Clothing

  • Casual: jeans, shorts, pants, comfortable shoes
  • Dress*: slacks, sport coat or blazer, tie, skirts and dresses, dress shoes
  • Athletic: sneakers, swimwear, hiking boots, skiwear
  • Winter: warm coat, sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, boots
  • Rain: raincoat, windbreaker
  • Other: bathrobe, sleepwear, slippers

*Graduate students will need professional attire for various academic activities.

Bed and Bath

  • Bath towel and washcloth - At least one set should be packed in carry-on luggage for use on arrival - additional items can be purchased locally.
  • Toiletries - enough to get started - These can be purchased here.
  • Bed linen, pillow, and blanket - Students will receive information about the opportunity to rent linens from the University before they arrive.

Other Items

  • Travel umbrella
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Backpack, small travel bag, or book bag
  • Camera

Medications

If you need regular medication, the University requires medical documentation from your doctor. We recommend that you bring enough medicine for one month and arrange to see a Swiss physician shortly after your arrival. Swiss pharmacies cannot fill prescriptions from other countries, and some medicine may not be available here: if this is the case, medications will have to be changed or a parent will have to mail them to the student from home. Please allow at least two weeks for medications to arrive by post. Ensure that 'medications' is written on the box, that each bottle is labeled with your name, and that a copy of your prescription is in the package so that the parcel is admitted through customs at the border as efficiently as possible.

Note that some airlines have restrictions on the amount of medication that can be brought on board, so check with your airline for details and have your doctor’s prescription with you when you travel. Medication should be in clearly marked containers with your name on them to avoid confusion at each border crossing. The University requires that certain medications be kept under lock and key in the Office of Student Life and be distributed on a weekly or monthly basis.

What not to Bring

Franklin residences are furnished and most have kitchenettes or a shared kitchen with basic utensils and appliances. Your residence hall will have an oven, stove, and access to a refrigerator either in your apartment or in the common kitchen. The electrical system in Switzerland may be different than the one in your country and may render your appliances unusable or inoperable. Necessary items should be purchased locally.

Please do not bring any of the following items:

  • *Desktop Computer
  • *Electrical appliances
  • *Personal appliances like hair dryers, hair straighteners, trimmers/clippers
  • *Hot plates or kitchen supplies
  • Furniture
  • Multiple packs of toiletry items
  • Pets

* The Swiss electrical system uses 230 volts AC. The U.S. uses 120 volts. Plugging in a lower voltage appliance to a Swiss plug can ruin appliances and electrical outlets.

The Ultimate Packing List

Jessica Oglesby, a Franklin alumna, wrote The Ultimate Packing List, an article with great tips and tricks for what you’ll need here and how best to get it here. You can find this and more helpful information on the Adventures at Franklin blog.

Shipping

If you will be living on campus starting this fall, you can reduce the amount of luggage you need to bring by sending parcels through the mail. Surface mail is the most cost-effective method for shipping personal items, with boxes typically taking four to eight weeks to reach Lugano from overseas. Therefore, if you are starting in the fall semester, sending your packages no later than July 17 is advisable to ensure their arrival by late August or early September.

Packages received at Via Ponte Tresa 29 after August 17 will not be delivered to your room.

Items sent before July 17 - The Office of Student Life will deliver these boxes to students' rooms before they arrive.

All parcels must be sent to: 

Your Name and Last Name
c/o Franklin University Switzerland
Via Ponte Tresa 29
6924 Sorengo
Switzerland

Items sent after July 17 - Franklin's Reception will hold packages received after August 16 for students to pick up after they move into their residences.

 

To all incoming students and parents
Warning: Mobility by Train

As a result of the derailment in the Gotthard Base Tunnel on August 10, the passenger trains between Ticino and the German-speaking part of Switzerland will be diverted via the Alpine Panorama Route until further notice. Although this journey is picturesque, it will take 60 minutes longer for national traffic and 60-120 minutes longer for international traffic. Since double-deck trains cannot operate on this route, there could be fewer seats available (30% fewer seats available on the weekends and slightly reduced capacity on weekdays). 

Our community is encouraged to refer to the SBB website for detailed information and plan for longer train journeys when traveling between Ticino and the German-speaking part of Switzerland. 

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