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The Graduate Institute | Geneva

Thunderbird's strategic partner in Switzerland

The Executive MBA-Europe program is based in Geneva, home to Thunderbird's European headquarters for Executive Education. Sevenof the 12 Executive MBA-Europe program modules take place in Geneva, delivered in collaboration with The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies at its lakeside Villa Barton campus.

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Introducing our academic partnership in Switzerland

The Graduate Institute of International Development Studies, Thunderbird's local partner, is a leading institution of research and higher education, dedicated to the study of world affairs, with a particular emphasis on the cross-cutting fields of international relations and development issues. The values of the Institute -- global engagement through creative thinking on the major challenges of our time, advancing global responsibility and respect for diversity -- align with Thunderbird's own mission to educate global leaders who create sustainable prosperity worldwide.

The Institute brings critical expertise to the Executive MBA program that is vital for today's global leaders -- an understanding of the dynamics that drive the global agenda, which influences business practice--especially in a global context.

NOW OFFERING an "Executive Certificate in International Economic Relations"

In this collaboration with Thunderbird, The Graduate Institute faculty delivers five courses embedded in the MBA curriculum, comprising 100 hours of course instruction. As of Fall 2012, the Institute will offer those who have successfully completed these courses an opportunity to pursue an optional Executive Certificate in International Economic Relations.

Candidates for the MBA in Global Management may pursue an optional Executive Certificate based on these courses:

Political Economy (part I)
Political Economy (part II)
Global Economics
Contemporary Business Issues in Europe
International Law & Dispute Settlement

Learn more about the Executive Certificate.

Program Facilities

The Institute serves as the Executive MBA program's primary hub, hosting program modules at its lakeside Villa Barton facilities in Geneva. Additional modules may be delivered at the Conference Centre Varembe (CCV), part of the International Conference Center in Geneva, depending on the needs of individual professors. All facilities have modern classrooms, wireless Internet and full dining services, and both are within one kilometer of Thunderbird's EMEA headquarters. Housing is provided for 50% of the modules -- including the opening module and all modules abroad. With the assistance of our EMEA staff, participants coordinate local accommodations for the remaining modules in Geneva. Learn more about housing in Geneva.

Why Geneva?

Geneva, a major center for international affairs and global governance and home to scores of global business headquarters, is an ideal setting for studying the international aspects of management, the need for leadership in creating sustainable prosperity and the critical role that business must play in development as it creates stakeholder value through providing growth in services, trade, products or technologies.

Truly global, centrally located and easily accessible from across Europe and beyond, Geneva provides a rich learning environment and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Over 40% of the local population in Geneva is international.

Geneva serves as strategic headquarters for over 125 multinationals, including companies like Caterpillar, DHL, Dupont, Gilette, Hewlett Packard, Lockheed Martin International, Merck-Serono, Oracle, and Proctor & Gamble. For many, it serves not just Europe but also the Middle East and Africa regions, and has become a center of research and development. Geneva is home to the United Nations in Europe, over 20 International Organizations and scores of NGOs.

The program leverages Thunderbird's global knowledge network of experts and alumni from across the region for co-curricular and professional networking activities.