<p>Has anyone heard anything about the American university-Franklin College, in Switzerland? It sounds like a fantastic experience, but would love to know more.</p>
<p>I have a co-worker whose daughter attends there (is a junior this year) and loves it. My son considered it for a while, but they do not have the major he is interested in. Plus we were reluctant to let him go quite so far away.</p>
<p>Thank you! My daughter is interested, and it does sound wonderful! It is hard to think of her so far away, but I think it would be such a great experience. It's great to know that your co-worker's daughter loves it. So many things to think about! If you hear of any other info, I'd love to hear about it.
Kelli (Californiamom)</p>
<p>OOPS-I mean co-worker's daughter!</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted for this past fall, biut ended up not attending due to cost (we do not qualify for financial aid). However, we did go to visit it and really loved it, as well as Lugano, the little city all around. Bear in mind, that according to the admissions rep, your child will realistically need about $1000.00 per month just to survive comfortably, although some make do on less, I am sure. Yes, Switzerland is the most expensive country in Europe. The school was impressive (even on a small scale). There is a lot of smoking outdoors on campus though, as a lot of Eruopeans and middle-easterners still smoke. That was also a consideration for my D as she is allergic. I still would love for her to atend though, even as a study abroad program.</p>
<p>Sunshadow -- I've only been in Lugano as I travelled by train between Basel and Milano. The setting of the city is spectacular and, as my wife's family came from the Lugano region we plan to go back and spend some time there in the future (perhaps the distant future as we've got 8 consecutive years of college bills looming). Despite appearances, I've heard on a travel/urban planning website I frequent that there are quite a few sketchy neighborhoods in Lugano. How is the area around Franklin College? Did you get any sense as to the "personal safety issue" at the school? Thanks.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. Yuck on the smoking. How do you know ahead of time if you qualify for financial aide, to help in making the decisions? Thanks.</p>
<p>My D applied there EA. It was her first choice. She was a little turned off by the chat she joined into which had a lot of questioning whether drugs were easy to purchase/use. It seemed to be what all the participants were focusing on.</p>
<p>Sunshadow, why so much ($1,000/month for expenses)? Is there not much to do on campus, or do the students there live a certain kind of lifestyle?</p>