Hauteville, Switzerland

Nestled in the center of Europe is one of the most important centers of diplomacy, finance, and innovation: Switzerland.  Although this small country boasts a population of only 8.5 million inhabitants, it is known as one of the most beautiful, safe, and stable countries in the world!

Pepperdine's international program on the magnificent Hauteville Estate is located in the heart of the French-speaking area of western Switzerland.  As its name indicates (haute = high, ville = city), the Château d'Hauteville is majestically poised on a hill above the shores of Lake Geneva with stunning views of the lake and the Swiss Alps. The château's estate comprises 58,547 square feet of living space and approximately 90 acres (or 36.7 hectares). Of those 90 acres, 67 acres is the approximate size of the farmland on the estate; there have been significant discussions about the farmland over the years due to the regulatory scheme that applies to this land, as well as our partnership with our farmers.

The economy of this region is stimulated by strong businesses (the global headquarters for Nestlé is located here!) and is known for its rich cultural life, resulting in a perfect blend of options for the urban dweller (restaurants, shops, and entertainment), but also appeals to outdoor enthusiasts (swimming, hiking, biking, and skiing) who love the rugged adventure that the Swiss Alps provide.

The program's central location in Europe allows for easy train access to all the major cities of Europe: it is just over an hour to the Geneva airport, four hours to Paris by the high-speed train, and one hour to the best ski slopes in the Alps!