CIS - Adventure 'Outdoor' Education Study Abroad Program

  Australia

• Victoria: 
Bendigo

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall: mid-July to November; Spring: late February - June

Description: This unique and thrilling "Adventure Education Program" in Bendingo, Australia, teaches you all about the environment, the world, and yourself -- as you explore the Outback through bushwalking, rock climbing, canoeing, and more. Earn academic credit as you bask in the excitement and adventure of the Australian outdoors.

As an international student of at La Trobe University, you can combine subjects offered by the Department of Outdoor Education with subjects in Photography, Applied Science, Psychology or even Business and enhance your learning through interdisciplinary study. At La Trobe, Outdoor Education focuses on developing knowledge about nature, building relationships with the Australian landscape, and understanding place, culture, language, and experience.

Because there is an emphasis on environmental knowledge as well as living and traveling in the bush, in mountains and deserts, and on rivers and lakes, you gain hands-on and situational learning through fieldwork. To enhance your semester abroad, you can combine the Adventure Education Program subjects with any others that are offered.

La Trobe University's Bendigo Campus is situated on 33 hectares of natural Australian bush land, 1.8 miles from the centre of the city, providing a peaceful and secure study environment. The Department of Outdoor Education is housed in the Ironbark Centre, an environmentally sensitive building designed to reflect the beauty of the surrounding forests. The Campus offers everything you need to succeed: first-class library and computer labs, modern visual arts studios, darkrooms and Macintosh suites for photographers and designers, and state-of-the-art laboratories for chemistry, biomedicine, and other sciences. You can enjoy the recreational facilities, such as tennis courts, swimming pool and fitness centre, track, common room and pool tables, plus there are many clubs and organizations to join.

Highlights: Just some of the places you could visit include: the Little Desert National Park where you will discover how a delicate balance of nature supports life even in the most arid climates; the Grampians National Park in the rugged western mountains, rich with native flora, fauna and Aboriginal history; river environments on the Murray River where you learn canoeing and navigation skills; the Alpine National Park, above the snowline; or Victoria's winding coast where you travel amongst rain forests and centuries-old rock formations. Camping in the bush will help you to gain greater understanding of yourself in relation to your environment.

Bendigo is a city of 85,000 people located in the geographical heart of Victoria, a 90 minute drive from Melbourne. It offers a great shopping district, supermarkets, a variety of cafes, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, art galleries, museums, and sporting facilities. From its heritage buildings to its lovely bush setting, nothing will captivate you more in this city than the genuine friendliness of the locals. And with the beauty of its parks and the surrounding countryside Bendigo truly is the Natural Choice for Outdoor Education.

Cost in US$: Please contact CIS

Experience Required: no

Scholarships are Available. - CIS Go Global! Scholarship - Through this program scholarship awards varying from $200 to $500 per semester are available to academically qualified students who are participating in any CIS semester. CIS Partner University Scholarships - Through this program scholarship awards varying from $500 to $1,000 per semester are available to academically qualified students who are participating in this program.

Post Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Year Founded: 2000