Technical Electives for ESE Students in Switzerland
Learn in world-class engineering labs, immersed in Swiss culture
Gain hands-on practical experience and access world-class laboratory facilities that don’t exist at UCalgary, all while being immersed in Swiss culture in Fribourg!
This program allows ESE students to select 2 out of 3 courses offered. The mandatory course Safety and Reliability in Engineering covers fundamental phenomena and principles related to extensive electric field strengths, with knowledge applied towards the dimensioning and use of electrical power system equipment. It includes practical training in the HV laboratory on generation & measurement of high voltages, component testing, and safety aspects. Students will be able to select one of the two following courses: The course High-Voltage Engineering may be attractive to students in electrical engineering, addressing theory and application of HV engineering to modern power systems. Specific topics include mathematical treatment of HV phenomena, conduction & breakdown of insulators, HV transmission lines/components, and HV testing & characterization. The course IP Networking may appeal to students in software engineering, giving a broad view of the protocols and technologies used to design & deploy modern IP networks. It has a strong laboratory focus and addresses architectures, switching, routing, performance, and security issues.
Throughout your month in Fribourg, you will fall into a routine working alongside Swiss instructors and researchers, developing your skills, knowledge, and professional network while also participating in technical and cultural field trips. Some of the sites your group may visit during this time include the Cern Nuclear Research Centre, Swiss chocolate factory tours, and nearby cities like Broc, Chatillon, Lucerne, and Veytaux.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
ESE students in Switzerland
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Svetlana Yanushkevich at syanshk@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team at group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links:
2025 Technical Electives for ESE Students in Switzerland Info Session
Program details
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
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Courses offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in two of the the following three courses:
ENEL 519.54: High-Voltage Engineering (3 units)
ENEL 519.57: IP Networking (3 units)
ENEL 519.62: Safety and Reliability in Engineering (3 units)
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Prerequisites
ENEL 480: Consent of the Department
ENEL 471: Consent of the Department;
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Pre-departure
March TBD, Calgary: Pre-departure Orientation, facilitated by UCalgary International
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In-field
May 2: Fribourg - Depart Calgary for Fribourg via Zurich or Geneva airports
May 3: Fribourg - Arrival and accommodation; organizational tasks
May 4: Fribourg - Getting to know Fribourg
May 6 – May 26, Fribourg: Lectures, laboratory work, independent project time, field trips #2-5 (cultural activities/sites TBD)
May 27: Fribourg - Final exam 1, Written or oral exam
May 28: Fribourg - Final exam 2, Written or oral exam
May 29: Fribourg – Return to Calgary
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Costs
The estimated cost of the Technical Electives for ESE Students in Switzerland Group Study Program is $9,257 and will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
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Funding
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked here, for more information.
Student loans: If you qualify for student loans, your program should qualify. We are able to provide you with a letter confirming your participation in the program for funding purposes. Please email group.study@ucalgary.ca to request a letter.
Schulich Student Activity Fund: At the Schulich School of Engineering, we believe amazing learning experiences happen inside and outside the classroom. Every year, the Schulich Student Activities Fund provides $500,000 for extracurricular activities such as field trips, team competitions and student travel. For more information, please click here. (Please note: when applying for the SSAF, it is important you list all the sources of funding available to you).
Click here for more information on funding options.
Participants will be staying in single-gender hotel rooms shared with one other student. Rooms include single bed, private bathroom (shared with your roommate), and a small study space area. Students will have access to a main conference room for studying and meals, and a continental breakfast is included each day. Laundry services are available at an additional cost.
Accommodation is situated two bus stops (about a 20-minute walk) away from the University. Students will receive a bus pass as part of their program fees.
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from the Schulich School of Engineering - Electrical and Software Engineering concentrations only.
Applications will be considered after your application and unofficial transcript have been received by Global Learning.
Announcements on whether you have been selected to the program will not be distributed until after the November 12 deadline.
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Written application questions
All Group Study Programs have general questions about how the program will meet your goals (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how you plan to finance your program, and coping skills for travelling abroad. These questions are designed to help narrow down your motivation for applying and why you should be selected.
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you "save" your application, copy the questions into a Word document to compose your answers, check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
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Unofficial Transcript
Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre. Click here for a step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
You will be asked to upload your transcript as a PDF in the online application.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
Program-Specific FAQs
Q: How are students selected?
A: A set number of spaces are available for the program. Student applications will be reviewed after the deadline and notified of whether you have been accepted/declined/waitlisted. While good academic standing is required, GPA is not the only factor considered. Instructors will look for students from a variety of backgrounds and motivation to make up the travelling group.
Q: Is this program open for Visiting or Open Studies students?
A: No, participation on this program is not open for Visiting or Open Studies students.
Academically, the High Voltage Engineering course offered a lab experience unlike anything in Calgary; it was very fun and exciting.
Delanie
Past Participant, Electrical Engineering
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Global Learning Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Global Learning Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.