Australia Program - Global College

  Australia

Byron Bay

Term: Spring 
Dates: Spring Semester

Description: This program is based in the town of Byron Bay, which is two hours South of Brisbane and about 500 miles North of Sydney. This inviting area offers students the chance to meet the locals and familiarize themselves with Australian culture. Byron Bay is the Eastern most point in all of Australia and has beautiful ocean views. Students live in a small town outside of Byron Bay called Suffolk Park. Suffolk Park is a picturesque setting where students can study quietly. Internet cafes, interesting stores, cultural activities and plenty of outdoor adventures are available in Byron Bay and Suffolk Park.

The academic program offered in Australia focuses on environmental studies as well as the indigenous people who still reside there. Students will also be able to do guided field work. Through field trips and lectures, students will get a first-hand look at the history and environments of Australia. Camping and hiking trips give students a chance to see the unique flora and fauna of the nation up-close. Trips to alternative healers and permaculture gardens let students get their hands dirty while discovering new methods of farming and medicine. Other experiences bring the students into close contact with the Aboriginal people of Australia.

Though English is the primary language, Australian culture is deceptively different from that in the United States. Especially in Byron Bay, the laid-back atmosphere permeates all parts of Australian life. When studying in Australia , students will learn the real meaning of "No worries, mate." Australia is a safe country where students can explore and immerse themselves in a new culture. Travel is easy and encouraged throughout the semester. In Australia , it is also easy to call home and find all comforts needed. Burgers and pizzas are options, though students are pushed to try local cuisines such as fish and chips, tea and biscuits, and meat pies.

Students will be working closely with their classmates for the entirety of their time in Australia and will start to learn about one another during the two-week orientation in New Zealand. Working and studying with your fellow students in an exciting country will create an educational opportunity unlike many others. Australia is a unique island nation where students will explore new peoples, lands, and ideas.

Highlights:
* The People of Australia (3 credits)

This interdisciplinary seminar provides students with an introduction to Australian society. Students will consider the major social, political, and cultural themes of contemporary Australian society and how they have been shaped by past policies and practices. Of particular importance will be the impact of colonialism and the question of human rights for Indigenous peoples, for those seeking asylum in Australia, and for other marginalized groups. Comparisons with North America and other South Pacific societies will be included in course discussions.

* The Natural Environment of Australia (3 credits)

Based on an experiential learning framework consisting of preparatory study, field trips and structured reflection, this innovative course allows students to directly experience Australia's unique natural environment. Via outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, snorkeling and climbing in national parks and other protected areas, students will explore and gain a first-hand understanding of different ecosystems, the evolution of particular environments and the relationship between natural and cultural landscapes. While individual venues are subject to change, the course typically includes group travel to coastal areas of northern New South Wales such as Cape Byron and Broken Head, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in south-eastern Queensland, several national parks on the New England Tableland including those exemplifying subtropical rain forest and open-canopy bushland, and Bald Rock - the second largest monolith in Australia. Furthermore, the course involves independent travel towards the end of the semester where students are free to independently visit natural areas of their choice, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, the Whitsunday Islands and Fraser Island the world's largest sand island.

* Environmental Issues of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific (3 credits)

The course will focus on limits to economic growth, climate change due to carbon emissions, non-sustainability of fossil and nuclear energy systems verses renewable technologies, industrial agriculture and its solar-based alternatives, natural resource depletion including water, soil and forest degradation, and protection of wild and natural areas as national parks and World Heritage Areas. The introductory part of the course will be held in New Zealand where we will review environmental issues facing the region and visit several protected natural areas. We will then move on to Australia where we will examine environmental problems facing that society and appropriate solutions to those issues. 4 credits.

* Sustainable Australia & the South Pacific: Concepts & Case Studies (3 credits)

This course will examine the concept of sustainability in relation to the viability of our current dominant economic, social and environmental systems. Global resource use and its long-term implications will be compared with alternative adaptive management models. The course will explore a cross section of effective sustainability strategies in northern New South Wales and throughout the South Pacific island region. Through discussions, case studies and local area site visits, we will focus on strategies that are capable of sustaining the economy, the natural environment and the societies that depend on these.

* Supervised Field Work Project (3 credits)

The theme of the course is "Connecting to Place". Class discussions and readings will focus on the values and meanings associated with this connection. Students will be exposed to community situations that reflect activism, change, creativity, and highlight community participation. Students will be placed, according to their personal interests, in a local organization committed to social justice, environmental change and support, or community culture and arts. The instructor will individually supervise the work and participation of each student. Examples of possible placements are Rainforest Rescue, Seed Savers, Land care groups and the Byron Film Festival. A variety of other placements will be offered. Students will be evaluated on their field service work and will write an end of term paper.

* Junior Research Seminar (3 credits)

This online required course provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to research, organize and write a thesis proposal as well as a fully developed research paper that incorporates multiple primary and secondary resources that students evaluate according to the pyramid of sources and through critical readings. Students also learn to narrow down a general topic into a manageable project, organize it through scheduling, notes and interviews, and become familiar with the various ways of citing sources and avoiding plagiarism. This course is a prerequisite for the Independent Study Semester.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: USD 18,900

Students will have to pay for their own food and drinks while living in Australia and will most likely spend USD 50 - 100 each week on groceries and meals. On top of that, students should make a budget that includes entertainment, adventure activities, shopping, gifts, and still make sure they have some money in case of emergencies. All travel, outside of field trips and school activities, must be paid for by the student. Overall, students should budget their spending money for the semester to be about USD 1,000 - USD 2,000.   

Australia accepts all major credit cards, such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard. Students can get cash out from the ATM's around town, though a small fee (usually around USD 2) is charged. Cashing travelers checks requires students to go to a bank with their passports and they are hard to replace if stolen. Before leaving for Australia, students should be aware of the current exchange rate between the US and Australian dollars.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Australia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. Global College of Long Island University offers a variety of aid, both federal and state. Merit Scholarships are also available. All Global College students are required to fill out the FAFSA forms if they would like to be considered for aid (even just for scholarships!).

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global College - Long Island University's Mission Statement: Global College's mission is the development of well-educated world citizens, men and women from a broad spectrum of nationalities and social classes who participate in an undergraduate liberal arts program that enables them: to combine first-hand experience of diverse cultural realities with the critical study of academic disciplines and human and ecological problems; to test intellectual theories and skills against the demands of practice and service; to carry out specialized field study under expert guidance that synthesizes cross-cultural understanding; and to develop a broad world view and a level of achievement in a chosen field sufficient to prepare for a life of committed action in the interest of the world community.

Year Founded: 1966