The 1993 Maastricht Treaty has had far greater ramifications than on economic policies alone. The discipline of European studies has developed in order to understand the many effects of these changes and how to work with them through such subjects as history, culture, politics, business, and economics.

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.

A BA (Bachelor of Arts) is an undergraduate degree that prepares students for a career in their chosen field of study. Depending on the school and program, a BA can usually be earned in three to five years.