Wellbeing Week 2025

Studies-Career-Wellbeing WorkshopS 
 

With Aline, followed by four additional workshops over the  following four weeks

Join the Studies-Career-Wellbeing Series to gain practical tools for thriving in your career while staying true to your values and building a sustainable, impactful professional life.

In five engaging workshops, you'll learn how to:

• Clarify your values for better decision-making
• Silence your inner critic and overcome imposter syndrome to approach life with confidence and agency
• Master communication strategies that support your goals and your team
• Prevent burnout by adopting daily practices that sustain your energy—physically, mentally, and emotionally 
• Overcome procrastination by cultivating focus and taking purposeful action
• Take the next step in your career journey with insights and skills that will serve you well into the future

Details on Studies-Career-Wellbeing series can be found here

When: 14:30 - 16:00 
Where: Davis Hall (next to library)
Registration required* - max. 25 participants (exclusively for students from the Institute)

* Certificate of participation available upon request for students who have followed the whole series of the Studies-Career-Wellbeing workshops

Salsa session
 

With Salsa instructor Roman Bestel  

Many of our students at the Geneva Graduate Institute love our salsa classes, so as part of Wellbeing Week, we’re excited to invite you to a special salsa session! Let’s dance together, refresh our steps, and master those tricky moves in a fun and supportive atmosphere. 
No experience? No problem! All you need is the desire to learn and, most importantly, to enjoy the rhythm of salsa.Join us this Monday, the 24th, from 18:00 to 19:30, with our new Salsa Initiative members, Chynna and Evangelos, along with our amazing instructors, Roman and Alicia. Please note that spots are limited to 40 participants, so make sure to sign up early. See you on the dance floor

When: 18:00 to 19:30 
Where: De Picciotto Common Room
Registration required - max. 25 participants

Mindful Start of the Day - Yoga and meditation
 

Join us for a 30-minute yoga session to start the day with awareness and ease on

• Tuesday with Simran Dhingra
• Wednesday and Friday with Vedika Pillai 

This gentle flow will incorporate mindful movements and stretches, accessible to all levels. No prior experience or equipment is needed — just wear comfortable clothes and bring an open mind!

On Thursday, please join Prof. Sung Min Rho for a meditation session. With her guidance, enjoy the peace of stepping outside the thinking mind and just resting in yourself. If you are one of the people who believe meditation is just sitting down with eyes closed, please come and be surprised! No prior experience in mediation is needed.

When: 9:30 - 10:00
Where: Davis Hall (next to library)
No registration required

Food Distribution by GISA Welfare
 

The Food Distribution  provides free food to students, offering a helping hand during busy days when making meals feels overwhelming. Whether it is grabbing a quick bite between classes or easing financial strain, this initiative brings the community together over shared meals.

When: 11:30 to 13:00 
Where: Petal 1
No registration required

Mindful Poetry Workshop 
 

With Océanne Fry, Student Services

Join a facilitated exploration of words and creativity in this poetry workshop. We will play and engage with existing poetry, as well as tease out your own in response to guided prompts. No skills or experience necessary, this workshop is a playful and open space to express ourselves with the written and spoken word. All are welcome.

Océanne, Student Services Officer, is certified in facilitating expressive arts, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding workshops from the European Graduate School.

When: 16:00 - 17:00
Where: Davis Hall (next to library) 
Registration required - max. 25 participants

Mindful Lunch
 

What is mindful eating?

With Eliane (from Wellbeing & Support)

Mindful eating is a mindfulness exercise that attempts to ground you by asking you to quietly consume a meal while focusing all of your senses in order to observe how the food makes you feel throughout your body. Our “Mindful Lunch” hopes to introduce you to the concept: we will silently share in a meal that engages all your senses, and then we will have a discussion about the experience.

Learn more about Mindful Eating.

Other sources on Mindful Eating.

When: 12:30 - 13:30 
Where: S11

Tarif: same as for a regular menu, payable to Novae before the lunch session
Registration required - max. 25 participants
 

Creativity Workshop 

With Abhinay Thummaluru / Kiana Daryabeigi Balvardi

Explore the Artist within You ;-)

No prior experience is required. All materials provided.

Unplug from your screen and give your mind a refreshing break! Join us for a brief creative exercise to clear mental clutter and get your hands busy.

Take a break and come paint, craft, design, create and meet our student artists Kiana and Abhinay, and Océanne and Eliane from Student Services.

When: 12:30 to 14:00
Where: at the Fab’s Creativity Corner
No registration required

Pet Petting
 

With Corinne Leboissard + Nawa (golden retriever)

Known for their friendliness and their non-judgmental natures, dogs are naturally de-stressing and are often a source of support, reassurance and motivation.  A simple cuddle, a petting session and anxiety is reduced, with joy and reassurance.

As a teacher with a passion for dogs, Corinne has taken up the challenge of reconciling pedagogy and the well-being that assistance dogs can bring to educational and cultural environments (schools, institutes, libraries, etc.).

Corinne Leboissard is a French teacher specializing in literacy reading and French for non-French speakers, for 27 years. As an animal mediator since 2020, she has been trained in pet therapy for young people, reading in libraries with dogs, animal communication and canine first aid.

Characteristics and strengths of Nawa: Golden retriever born on 8.3.2020 at the Mazage de Mascayenne kennel in Ariège, France, a kennel specializing in assistance dogs. Well-behaved, stable, confident, gentle, sociable, lively, calm and playful, she knows her role as a mediator and assistance dog well, being empathetic without letting herself be overwhelmed by other people's emotions.

When: 12:30 to 14:30 
Where: Petal 1 - Student Reception
No registration required

Closing Concert with GISA Music Initiative followed by a Potluck Dinner
 

To end this wonderful week on a musical note, we gather the musical talent of our community for a unique closing concert. Join us to unwind and enjoy beautiful performances of traditional and classical music as well as modern songs from various cultures!

You are all invited to the potluck dinner after the concert (all participants should bring something to share).

When: 18:00
Where: Common Room de Picciotto
No registration required

Discover the Benefits of HEART COHERENCE
 

With Erwan Treguer

Following the success of our introductory sessions to cardiac coherence in 2023 and 2024, the Institute is pleased to offer a new opportunity for those who haven't yet had the chance to take part.

Register now for one of the sessions scheduled for March 11, 2025!

By the way, what is cardiac coherence?

It's a simple, accessible stress management method based on controlled breathing. It helps to regulate the nervous system, improve well-being and enhance concentration.

Why take part?

• Discover a scientifically recognized technique.
• Learn how to better manage stressful situations.
• Take care of your physical and mental balance.

When: 11:00 - 12:00 OR 12:15 - 13:15
Where: Davis Hall
Registration required*

*Places are limited