Health & Counseling

College Nurse

The College Nurse, Karen Pelly, is a trained nurse with specialist certificates in orthopedics and occupational health and has had many years of experience working in an emergency room. She speaks English and Italian. The college nurse cannot prescribe drugs but can advise students about over-the-counter options and make referrals to local physicians.

College Counselor

The College Counselor, Corbin Moro, has provided psychological counseling to Franklin students on an as-needed basis for several years and began working in the Office of Student Services in 2005. She provides private and group counseling to students and conducts Residence Advisor training sessions. Corbin Moro has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology, a B.A. in psychology and a degree in hypnotherapy. She qualified to become a Swiss registered psychologist in 1994.

Swiss Health Insurance

Swiss law requires that all students during their stay in Switzerland be fully covered by a Swiss medical aid plan. Franklin College has established a contract with SWICA, a medical insurance company, to cover all students’ medical needs. Students will receive a SWICA card approximately two weeks after arrival and should keep the card with them at all times.For more information regarding Swiss Law and health insurance coverage please click on the desired language: English, German, French, Italian.

The policy stipulates a 600 Swiss Franc or 1,000 Swiss Franc deductible per year depending on the student’s age. Once the deductible has been paid SWICA covers 90% of all medical expenses. The policy and the costs for full coverage can be reviewed in either US Dollars or Swiss francs depending upon one's account with the College. Students should arrange any medical appointments through the Office of Student Affairs.

Students can apply for exemption from Swiss mandatory health insurance if they currently have valid health insurance coverage in their home country. Complete the Request Exemption forms in Italian and obtain the relevant information from your insurance company. Students from European Union (EU) countries with national health insurance coverage should use the form TI 6.1. Students from European Union (EU) countries with a private health insurance policy, who are not using their national health coverage should use the two page form TI 6.2. Students from countries other than the European Union should use the two page form TI 6.3. Send all original documents by regular mail to the Office of Student Affairs. In order to receive the exemption, your private health insurance company must certify coverage for the same services as the ones covered by Swiss mandatory health insurance. Please note that the Swiss authorities will only consider the official application when all the forms in Italian are completed and signed by your health insurance company. Photo copies of policies and/or faxes are not acceptable. For your convenience and reference only, the following forms TI 6.1, TI 6.2 and TI 6.3 are translated into English.

Medical Emergencies

For minor medical emergencies students are advised to call the Resident Assistant on duty. The RA on duty can then assist the student and call additional support if necessary. For more serious medical emergencies students are advised to call the Swiss Emergency number 144 from any mobile or public phone.

Franklin Fitness Program

Student Affairs offers a wide array of fitness programs both on and off campus. Weekly programs have included power yoga, cardio body toning, self defense, and interpretive dance in addition to the College's sport clubs. Students can also receive discounts at local fitness centers. For more information students are encouraged to stop by the Office of Student Affairs.