<p>Does anyone here know much about programs in International Affairs outside the US? There's a ton out there, but not info to help sort through them. I'm particularly looking at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. Anyone have any experience with them?</p>
<p>I don't know much about the school in Geneva, but I am somewhat familiar with LSE and Sciences Po (if you are proficient in French), which are in London and Paris, respectively. LSE is viewed somewhat as a cash cow for American students, though less so for graduate students than undergrad. The reason for this is that many graduate programs are the same price for both UK/EU students and American students, though Americans are less likely to get Graduate Merit Awards. For undergrad, though, I think Americans typically pay 3 times as much. But LSE is a one year program, it has a great reputation abroad and a strong reputation in the US, and has a ton of programs to choose from. That said, I don't think it's as quantitatively strong as US-based programs, and it tends to have a more academic bent. So if you're looking to get a PhD, LSE is probably a more viable option than if you want to enter the job market straight away (particularly if you don't want to stay in Europe).</p>
<p>As for Sciences Po...I studied there my junior year of college, and I must say, academically, it's a pretty bad experience. French students typically adore it until they study abroad and realize its academic structure is not so great (at least I can say so anecdotally, talking with about a dozen such French students). I could go on at length, but I'll leave it at that. It's very, very highly respected in France, and I think it's reputation is on par with LSE's in Europe, but I'm not sure about that.</p>
<p>I believe there's also a strong program in Stockholm...I'd check APSIA's website, though.</p>
<p>The School of Oriental and African Studies has a phenomenal reputation for Middle Eastern studies. You can get more general degrees related to international affairs at SOAS, but everyone speaks the world of their reputation as far as the Middle East/Arab World/Islamic Studies is concerned.</p>
<p>Check out the IMESS program at UCL if you're interested in Eastern Europe:
IMESS</a> - International Masters in Economy, State & Society</p>