European Graduate School

[EduCativ]

Established in the Swiss mountains in 1994 by a non-profit foundation, The European Graduate School / EGS comprises two divisions: Arts, Health Society (AHS) and Philosophy, Art Critical Thought (PACT). The OHS Division, founded by Paolo Knill, centers on the expressive arts, specifically addressing coaching, therapy, education, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding. Founded by Wolfgang Schirmacher, the PACT Division (formerly Media Communication) addresses, as its title suggests, philosophy, art, and critical thought, and within those fields, architecture, film, literature, digital design, music, psychoanalysis, and political thought. Together, the two divisions compose a unique and diverse community of artists, theorists, scholars, and practitioners, making the EGS one of Europe's most critical sites for ethical, socio-political, philosophical, psychological, and artistic inquiry. Its cross-disciplinary, low-residency MA and Ph.D. programs offer students and scholars an exceptional academic experience centered on annual intensive seminar programs led by an eminent faculty in residence in Saas-Fee, Switzerland↗, and Valletta, Malta↗. This dynamic structure creates a vibrant forum in which students and scholars engage with distinguished theorists, practitioners, and artists in their fields.
The EGS was created to be a university that would function beyond the traditional disciplinary structure's many constraints while stimulating work leading to respected and well-recognized academic degrees. For the EGS, education remains a process that is both experimental and transformative, and learning is never divorced from critique. Faculty are given maximal freedom from cumbersome bureaucratic duties and encouraged to focus on teaching that is not just research-led but also an active form of research. The EGS does not shy from the requirements of professionalism, but it seeks to redefine the conditions for achieving this term's true meaning. The EGS seeks to intervene in a global context where education is increasingly structured by instrumental ends that favor technical expertise and frustrate fundamental questioning. It seeks to keep alive a spirit of free inquiry devoted to supporting creating practice and intellectual exchange of the highest level directed to the most pressing issues of our time.
Known as the "Pearl of the Alps," Saas-Fee is located near the Matterhorn of Wallis (Valais). Surrounded by thirteen mountains, it is the main village in the Saastal or the Saas Valley and a municipality in Visp's district within the canton of Wallis (Valais) in Switzerland. Its location close to the glaciers of the Dom and the Allalinhorn, along with its neighboring mountain peaks, such as the Weissmies, the Nadelhorn, and the Lenzspitze, have made Saas-Fee an attractive destination in the Swiss Alps with recreational opportunities throughout the year, including skiing, carving, snowshoe trekking, mountain climbing, canyon climbing, and ice climbing.
German playwright Carl Zuckmayer (Der fröhliche Weinberg, Der Hauptmann von Köpenick, Des Teufels General) lived in Saas-Fee 1958 until he died in 1977. It has also been the home to The European Graduate School / EGS since its inception in 1994, inspiring its students and faculty who convene throughout the summer at the Steinmatte classrooms up the hill from the small village.
The Hotel Allalin, located in the sunny "Lomatte," is the principal reception place for The European Graduate School / EGS. The hotel has been in the Zurbriggen family for three generations and is currently owned and operated by Sabrina and Eva Zurbriggen. The hotel and family are known for their services and the warm and inviting atmosphere they create. In partnership with the EGS, the Hotel Allalin provides students with exceptional rates of approximately CHF 128.00 per day either in hotel rooms or nearby apartments, including lodging, three meals per day, and internet access. The hotel also offers reduced rates for family members or friends visiting students or faculty during the summer seminar programs.
All lodgings are located in or near (no more than 600 meters) the Hotel Allalin. Both single and double rooms are available in the hotel and the apartments. Although apartment floor plans vary, all of the rooms meet high-quality standards. Please note: typically, the apartments are not equipped with telephones, hairdryers, alarm clocks, voltage adapters, or minibars/refrigerators. The hotel may provide some of these amenities upon request, but they are limited, so please be sure to pack your adapters. Some apartments are equipped with kitchens or kitchenettes. If this is the desired option for your stay, please make your requests well in advance.
All meals for both faculty and students are served at the Hotel Allalin. The hotel provides three meals a day and can accommodate vegetarians and vegans. Additionally, the hotel provides a limited number of gluten-free options. Unfortunately, the hotel cannot accommodate individual food allergies. If you have a food allergy, please address your situation directly with the hotel. You may request a kitchen/kitchenettes or inquire if a particular food plan is available that meets your dietary needs.
Accidents and illnesses requiring medical attention can be costly. We encourage all EGS students to make the appropriate arrangements for health insurance coverage from their home countries well in advance of their departure. It has recommended that you speak to your healthcare provider between four and six weeks before your time of travel so that your immunization history, personal health, and planned activities can all be considered to determine what is needed for your trip. Be sure to indicate all travel destinations to your healthcare provider so that they can inform you of the necessary vaccinations and health advisories in effect. If your home health insurance policy does not cover you abroad, there are many short-term and long-term travel insurance policies available from numerous providers.
Please keep in mind that access to, and the legality of, medicine and prescription medicine varies from country to country. Therefore, make sure that you have an adequate amount of your prescription medicine(s) to last the duration of your trip. It is recommended to keep them in their original packaging and bring them in your carry-on baggage. If they include liquids, consult the security guidelines of your airline.

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