About Us
A Century of Academic Excellence
For a century, American students have crossed the Atlantic to study in Fribourg, Switzerland. Today, the Fribourg Institute carries that tradition forward with programs designed for a new generation of global leaders.
About the Fribourg Institute
The Fribourg Institute offers academically rigorous study abroad programs that connect students directly to the institutions and leaders shaping today’s global agenda. With the University of Fribourg as our school of record, students earn fully transferable credits while engaging in coursework designed to examine pressing global issues and connect theory to practice. Our programs are particularly well-suited for students pursuing international studies, political science, environmental studies, and related fields who want more than classroom learning—they want to see how the world works.
What sets the Fribourg Institute apart is the depth of access and experience we offer. Students go behind the scenes at organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the World Meteorological Organization, meeting experts and practitioners who share their career trajectories and insights. Along the way, students develop critical skills in analysis, policy, and problem-solving—building a portfolio that carries weight with graduate schools and employers alike.
At the same time, students benefit from the immersive environment of Switzerland, one of the world’s safest and most internationally connected countries. With over a century of history rooted in the American College Program at the University of Fribourg, the Fribourg Institute combines trust, legacy, and proven support systems with a forward-looking approach that emphasizes professional development, global networking, and meaningful academic outcomes.
The Fribourg Institute offers academically rigorous study abroad programs in Switzerland. Each program combines transferable credits from the University of Fribourg with direct engagement at global institutions and preparation for future careers.
Our History
The Fribourg Institute builds on a century of U.S.–Swiss academic exchange. American students first came to the University of Fribourg in 1925 through Rosary College, one of the earliest organized study abroad experiences for U.S. students in Europe. Additional universities followed and in 1967, the American College Program (ACP) was established as a consortium of the US universities that were based at the University of Fribourg, creating a structured, accredited pathway that went on to welcome thousands of U.S. students. For decades, ACP was recognized as one of Europe’s most established and academically rigorous study abroad opportunities.
Today, ACP has partnered with the Fribourg Institute, ensuring its 100-year legacy continues. The Institute builds on ACP’s core strengths: University of Fribourg–accredited coursework, transferable credits, structured student support, and unique access to international organizations. This continuity offers study abroad offices and students alike the confidence of a program with both history and vision.
1925 – The Beginning
Rosary College, later Rosary-in-Fribourg, welcomes the first American students to the University of Fribourg — one of Europe’s earliest organized study abroad experiences.
1967 – Growth and Accreditation
The American College Program (ACP), is formally established at the University of Fribourg, creating a structured, accredited pathway traveled by thousands of U.S. students.
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1970s and 1980s – Expanding Horizons
ACP integrates travel to neighboring countries, giving students first-hand experience of Europe’s interconnected history and politics.
2000s – Global Issues Front and Center
Study abroad in Fribourg grows more focused on contemporary international issues, connecting students with institutions like NATO and the UN.
Today – A New Chapter
ACP is partnered with the Fribourg Institute, carrying forward its 100-year legacy with programs addressing today’s most urgent challenges: global security and climate change.
2026 – Be Part of History
The 2026 FI cohorts mark the start of the next hundred years. Students join a story that stretches back a century—and continues into the future.
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Andrew Armstrong founded the Fribourg Institute to provide students with a transformative study abroad experience that bridges academic study and the professional world. With a PhD in Political Science from George Mason University and extensive teaching experience in the U.S. and internationally, he brings both academic rigor and a global outlook to the Institute’s programs. He has also collaborated with the U.S. State Department’s Sports Diplomacy program and served as a political contributor to Sweden’s national public radio.
Dr. Armstrong is dedicated to preparing students not only to succeed in the classroom but to thrive in international careers. He believes studying abroad should open doors—to institutions that shape global politics, to mentors who can illuminate career pathways, and to experiences that deepen both knowledge and perspective. Under his leadership, the Institute gives students extraordinary access to diplomats, policymakers, and global organizations while helping them develop the skills, confidence, and connections they need to step boldly into their futures.
Professor Andrej Lushnycky brings decades of experience to his role overseeing all in-country operations for the Fribourg Institute. As Senior Research Associate at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Central & Eastern Europe (IICEE) and Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Switzerland since 2014, he leverages his deep scholarly background in political analysis, diaspora studies, and European governance to enrich the student learning experience.
Professor Lushnycky is committed to building bridges—between theory and practice, between cultures, and between academic training and professional responsibility. He believes that programs like ACP and the Fribourg Institute lay the groundwork for the future of international cooperation and good governance by empowering young people with new perspective, mentorship, and real-world exposure. He ensures students not only visit the institutions that shape global affairs, but do so in an environment grounded in safety, support, and professional growth.
Dr. Trevor Thrall is a recognized authority in international affairs and political science. A prolific scholar, he has published extensively on global security, foreign policy, and the power of information in shaping international relations. His expertise is sought by universities, think tanks, and media outlets, where he has contributed to national and international discussions on pressing global issues.
As Chair of the Academic Board, Dr. Thrall provides strategic academic leadership for the Fribourg Institute, guiding program design and ensuring rigorous, relevant coursework. He also serves as the instructor of record in select program years. Dr. Thrall is deeply committed to preparing students for impactful careers by connecting academic study with real-world practice and the Institute’s unmatched access to global institutions. For Dr. Thrall, studying abroad is a vital opportunity to broaden horizons, build networks, and develop the skills future leaders need in an interconnected world.
Ms. Beth Cauvel has spent her career supporting students in study abroad programs, ensuring their experiences abroad are both academically rigorous and personally transformative. With many years of experience in international education and program administration, she brings deep expertise in student support, operations management, and cross-cultural engagement.
Ms. Cauvel believes there is no substitute for the learning that comes from immersion in new places, cultures, and ideas. She is dedicated to enriching students’ education by broadening their perspectives and deepening their understanding of the world. At the Fribourg Institute, she plays a central role in guiding operations and supporting students throughout their journey, recognizing the Institute’s unique opportunities for access to influential organizations and career-shaping experiences.
Ms. Annie Davies brings a wealth of experience from her career managing programs for international organizations. She began her professional journey in international education at the U.S. Institute of Peace and has since worked with nonprofit organizations addressing issues ranging from the environment and economic mobility to global health, women and security, and peacebuilding. Her passion for international education was first sparked by her own study abroad in Northern Ireland and Croatia, and her time serving in the Peace Corps in Moldova, experiences which continue to shape her work today.
At the Fribourg Institute, Ms. Davies leads student services and operations, ensuring every participant is supported throughout their journey abroad. She is dedicated to creating an environment where students can thrive academically, culturally, and professionally while taking advantage of the Institute’s unique opportunities.
Professor Annalise Schmidt is a doctoral researcher at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. Her research focuses on disinformation campaigns in Africa, BRICS development programming, and the European Union’s responses to emerging threats. With professional experience in both program development and classroom teaching, she brings academic depth and practical expertise to her work at the Institute.
Professor Schmidt is dedicated to helping students discover new perspectives through study abroad. She believes that immersive international education broadens horizons and equips students to meet global challenges with knowledge and confidence. At the Fribourg Institute, she helps shape programs that combine rigorous academics with life-changing experiences.