By now, you should have paid your deposit, started your application for a student visa if necessary, and registered for student housing. If you have questions about your status, check your personal online portal.
This section covers what you need to do before arriving in August and contains information to help you understand what to expect when you get here.
Undergraduates: State Your Preferences
Undergraduates who are not pre-registered for First Year Seminar, Academic Travel, and Modern Language courses must submit preference formsÌýbyÌýJuly 31Ìýin order to be assigned their preferred courses prior to arrival on campus.
Pack your bags
Pack light. Students usually bring more than they need and then throw many of their belongings away when they move out of the residence halls at the end of the year or semester. Plan ahead and limit yourself to two or three suitcases. Be sure to check with your airline about restrictions and additional luggage fees.
SeeÌýdetailed advice on what to bring... and whatÌýnotÌýto bring, how to ship some of your belongings to Franklin, and packing tipsÌýfrom members of the Franklin community.
Studying at Franklin
We’re a small university, and you’ll be learning in small groups with professors you’ll soon know well. They’ll get to know you too, and they will challenge you to consider things in new, often profound ways. We believe in experiential learning and encouraging you to discover your strengths and how to apply them.ÌýIn addition to the individual attention you’ll get in the classroom, we provide a number of academic resources and programs to support your academic journey.
Living in Switzerland
Switzerland is in the heart of Europe, sharing a border with France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Italy. It has a population of over 9 million people and recognizes four national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Switzerland is economically and culturally integrated with the European Union (EU) but is not a member of the EU.ÌýAlthough it is easy to travel throughout Europe and cross the border between Switzerland and Italy, it is extremely important that you bring your passport and permitÌýeveryÌýtime you cross an international border.
The Swiss Alps largely shape regional microclimates across the country. Ticino, in the south, enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate distinct from the central European climate found elsewhere in Switzerland. In Lugano, summer daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), though the summer of 2026 has been particularly hot. Winter daytime temperatures range from 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F), with nighttime lows around 0°C. Keep in mind that air conditioning is uncommon in European homes and buildings, so summer heat can feel more intense indoors.
Svizzera Italiana
Lugano is the largest city in Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton (geopolitical region). "Svizzera italiana" comprises all of Canton Ticino and four valleys of Canton Grisons for a total population of just over 375,000. Lugano itself has an urban conglomeration of nearly 150,000 inhabitants and is one of Switzerland's major financial centers. Italian is the official language for the whole region. Italophone Switzerland blends cultural components that are typically Italian with a tradition of politics and administration that is unmistakably Swiss.
Ticino has a mild, sunny climate with a beautiful landscape characterized by its lakes (Lugano and Locarno are the main lakeside towns) and mountains (good ski resorts for winter sports). It is also home to a professional ice hockey club, a professional football club, and a professional basketball team, as well as museums, a conservatory, and cultural events.