Sophia Undergraduates Visit Geneva to Learn About International Organizations and Civil Servants at 14 Geneva-Based Institutions, Including UN European Headquarters

UN European Headquarters

From September 6 to 15, 24 our undergrad students visited 14 international organizations, including the UN European Headquarters and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees based in Geneva, Switzerland, to learn about the roles and functions of each organization and to deepen their understanding of issues facing the international community, such as diplomacy and disarmament issues.

At the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Led by Professor Yasuhiro Ueki, former UN Public Information Officer, this program is a highly sought after short-term study abroad program that enables participants to deepen understanding of international organizations and international civil servants. Before departure, participants attended lectures in Japan to acquire prior knowledge, and then receive extensive instruction from local front-line specialists in areas such as humanitarian assistance, diplomacy, meteorology, health, labor, disaster prevention, intellectual property, and more.

Dinner with the students studying at Graduate Institute

The students visited the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies (GI), one of our partner universities, and had the opportunity to meet with students who are currently studying at GI under the 3+2 program (3-3.5 years at Sophia and 2 years at GI, pursuing a bachelor’s and a master’s degree).

Dinner was held with two students who just started their program this fall, and it was an opportunity to hear how they came to study at GI and their advice to those attending who are considering this program.

 

The 10 days in Geneva, one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on one’s own career while experiencing the latest international affairs. Professor Ueki described the significance of this program, “By hearing directly from international civil servants who are working on the frontlines of international society to tackle global issues, we can better understand such issues and make them accessible to us, which will be useful in shaping our future careers.

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