Hello all,

If you had a chance to go on exchange to the HEI (in Geneva) or the WTI (in Bern) which would you choose? Considerations are:

- Reputation in Europe
- Ease of internship placement with international organizations
- Reputation in North America

Does anyone know much about these?

Thanks!

both of them have an excellent reputation in North America as well as in Europe.
If you want to specialize in WTO Law then you should choose WTI over HEI. I guess that your choice depends in your field of specialization.

By the way, Did you notice that HEI and WTI offer summer programs?

You can also decide to study as an exchange student at HEI in Geneva and then to attend the summer program organized by WTI or viceversa.

Indeed, HEI now offers a 3weeks Summer Programme on The WTO, International Trade and development, it consists of lectures and workshops focusing on case studies. Considering the Faculty of HEI (J. Pauwelyn, C. Dupont, P. Low notably) and the close links with WTO experts (building next door to HEI), The Graduate Institute of International Studies is definitely an attractive place to study WTO issues. Simply consider the number of HEI students who work or intern at the WTO - Cheers

Hey are there any current HEI / WTI students on this forum? Have a ton of questons to ask them!
Also, are there a ny preferred courses to be taken before you apply to HEI /WTI? Can anyone suggest any good international trade law courses?

Thanks!

Hi! Im a student now at HEI, so maybe I can offer a thought here.

HEI is now actually HEID, having merged with the Development Institute here in Geneva. Because of this, I think we have an edge on the WTI on development issues, and also on a policy based, normative approach to trade. the WTI is really more of a technical education, with real focus on details, legal intracasies and i guess what i'd call the nitpicky aspects of trade law and policy.

HEI(D) offers, especially through its summer programme, compared to WTI's, a more critical appraoch, focused on evaluating the status quo through a development lens, looking forward, rather than a 4 week course learning the status quo, as such.

This isn't to say that WTI doesn't have its advantages: its MILE programme is a really instense 1 year booster course that is kind of a stamp that you have a certain base of knowledge. The MILE is only about 8 years old, but the alums are generally really active in the trade world, and pop up around many corners. Within the A MIA from HEI, it seems to me, with its interdisciplinary (econ, poli sci, law, hist/politics...) appraoch and more freedom t o choose your courses (2 years, masters thesis, internship requirement, etc) gives a more broad education that you can tailor to your particular aspect of interest.

On Internship opportunities, if you're planning topursue a 1 or 2 year programme: DEFINATELY HEI has the edge, because of its place in Geneva and its connections therein. Its like the difference between being in ashington DC versus being in the midwest...being in London vs. leeds. something like that. Bern is great if you want to be a swiss official though....

I hope this might help. Good luck!

Hi Emmak, I have a very heavy question for you and I hope you can help me. I have been accepted to HEID for Master in International Studies- International Law. However, no scholarship despite the fact that I applied for one. I am African, living in a small developing country , with virtually no saving and very poor parents; I would under no circumstances be able to study and live in Geneva without a scholarship. I have also been accepted to Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, with a partial scholarship to cover half the tuition. I however still have to raise about $ 16,000 to be able to pull it off. Thirdly, I have been accepted to Geneva Academy for International Human Rights ( formerly UCIHL) for the one year MAS. I am supposed to first enrol at University of Geneva then they will consider my scholarship application. My heavy question is, would it be possible to get outside funding at this stage for HEI, which organization can I approach. What is your experiece at HEID, particularly gettng jobs after graduation? I also know HEID has an exchange program with Fletcher, do you know anything about Fletcher? How would you compare HEID to Fletcher and to UCIHL.While my nterest is International Law, without a scholarship, I cannot attend HEID or Fletcher (bearing in mind they are both 2 years).
I would really appreciate your thoughts and some General Advice about HEID.

Hi Petra!!!

First of all, congratulations for you success in the HEID

Well, I applyed for this programme, but, unfourtunelly, I didn't get accepted.
The HEID didn't give me any feed back in my non acceptance, and I still don t know what I can do to improve my curriculum. Could you please tell me some about you so I can have an idea of what I have to do to be accepted next year.

I will appreciate any further information.

Cheers!!!!