Buena Vista University and the Geneva School of Business Administration in Switzerland are working to establish an exchange program for students between the two institutions.

Through the program, the two institutions can exchange up to two students each per academic year between the schools, and students remain enrolled in their home college and receive college credit for the coursework completed while at the partner institution. Students will spend a complete semester studying at the host school and living with host families or in residential facilities, giving them an immersive international experience.

"This exciting new agreement with [the Geneva School of Business Administration] furthers our aim to provide students with a high-quality, global educational experience," Buena Vista University President Fred Moore said in a statement. "[The Geneva School of Business Administration] is a very well respected leader in international business education, and we are delighted to be partners with such a fine institution."

The exchange program will begin in the Fall 2014 semester. Buena Vista University has one student scheduled to depart for Geneva in the first week of September to participate in the program. The program is open to students at Buena Viesta University who have completed 31 to 35 hours of coursework in the business major. Students must have an interest in international business, a record of academic excellence and demonstrated maturity to handle an extended trip overseas. Eligible students will be selected for the program based upon evaluation by faculty within the department and the dean of the School of Business.

"We look forward to seeing our students have opportunities to learn from the expertise of [Buena Vista University] faculty members and have a great life experience in Storm Lake," said Dr. Alexandre Caboussat, dean of the department of international business management at the Geneva School of Business Administration. "Being immersed in another country for an exchange program is a great opportunity to have during one's undergraduate studies. Besides improving their international business skills and being better prepared for the professional world, an exchange between our institutions will help our students to be more aware of the globalized world and position themselves as leaders in a multicultural environment."

Buena Vista University plans to host its first Geneva School of Business Administration exchange student in the Spring 2015 semester.