VCU Education Abroad Faculty-led Summer Program in Australia

  Australia

• Perth: 
Perth

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 1-June17

Description: The VCU Office of International Education and one of its 15 International Partnership Universities, Curtin University in Perth, Australia, are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to explore physical/occupational medicine, exercise/sport/rehabilitation sciences, and public health studies at Curtin University, which has been arranged by Perth-based consultancy Service Abroad Australasia,. In this program, students will develop an intimate understanding of the indigenous Aborigine culture as it relates to morbidities and risk factors for disease and disparity and how to facilitate health promoting behaviors. In addition, students will gain experience through structured site visits and lectures related to careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports medicine, and exercise physiology. Students will prepare for the program with a series of lectures given by a Curtin visiting professor. These lectures will be offered during the three week program. On June 1, 2009 students will travel to Perth, Australia for the on-site workshops, lectures, and site visits.

Course and Credit Options:
HPEX 491: Australian Approaches to Public Health, Physical Medicine/Rehab & Sport Sciences

This course will engage VCU students in a cultural and structured academic experience in Perth, Australia. Students will have the chance to attend lectures in curricular tracks dedicated to: health promotion, nutrition, physical/occupational medicine, exercise/sport/rehabilitation science, and public health.   It has been said that Australia is a sports loving nation, thus, students will be able to bolster their knowledge of various sporting venues through active participation. This will further be refined by attending Australian Football League (AFL) club training sessions, working with Aboriginal People who suffer from health disparities, working with Foodbank WA to educate youth, gaining the understanding in recent advances toward occupational health and safety in the mining industry, and placements with practitioners of physical/occupational therapy, nutritionists and sport therapists. There will also be an optional excursion to Sydney on June 19, 2009.

Highlights: Activities in Perth include morning lectures outlining the latest Australian thinking in relevant areas, afternoon excursion to illuminate the lectures, and placements with practitioners in various fields of interest including therapy, nutrition, public health, etc. We plan to attend a West Coast Eagles AFL game. In addition to spending time in Perth, we will travel to a mining twon in the northern Goldfields region learn about occupational health and safety in the mining industry and in desert Aboriginal communities.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 3,200.00

*Accommodations
*Study visits and tours
*Ground transportation
*On-site Program Director support
*Application fee and deposit
*Pre-departure orientation
*VCU administrative fees
*International Student Identification Card

The following are NOT included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
*Airfare
*VCU tuition and fees
*Passport application fee
*Meals unless specifically mentioned
*Personal expenses during the program (estimated at USD1,000 including meals)
*Optional stop-over in Sydney, estimated to cost USD100 for day for shared accommodations plus an additional minimum USD30 per day for meals
*Anything not specifically mentioned above

Experience Required: yes

Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to participate in this program. Permission of the program director is required.

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Australia in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-15

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home