The field of international studies considers events from the views of combined communities around the world. Comprehending aspects such as the history, economics, culture and politics of several different nations can increase understanding on issues that take priority on the international agenda as they arise.

Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a federal parliamentary republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers. Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.

Blended learning combines digital and online media with traditional face-to-face learning. It allows teachers to use a variety of teaching methods and technology to customize learning for each student. Blended learning can be used in various forms, from completely online courses to hybrid courses where students learn both in the physical classroom as well as online.