SUNY New Paltz - Australian Eco Tour

  Australia

• Sydney: 
Sydney
• Great Barrier Reef: 
Great Barrier Reef
• Queensland: 
Cairns
• Northern Territory: 
Ayers Rock

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 22 to July 23

Description: SUNY New Paltz Eco Tour Program in Australia provides students a unique learning environment to study and experience natural beauties of Australia. During the program students will earn three undergraduate credits for Eco Tour and three credits for mandatory independent eco-project. Compulsory month-long excursion starting in Sydney where cultural, historical, and scientific background is learned through lectures at the botanical garden, zoological park, and art/history museums. A seventeen-day coach/camping excursion to North and Central Australia followed by five days in North Queensland. Field studies and explanatory lectures will be conducted during the tour. The field studies include observational walks through diverse communities and cruises through river, wetland, and coral reef areas. National Park rangers and leaders of local Aboriginal tribes will lead discussions. A booklet of readings and a tour guide will be available prior to the excursion. Learning will be supported through telephone, facsimile, email. The Program is ideal for students and teachers interested in learning about the natural environment of Australia, strategies for planning and implementing field studies for instruction in environmental education in elementary and secondary schools. Methods for interpreting national parks and other outdoor sites are for the purpose of teaching the values of bio-diversity. This diversity is examined through the study of plants, birds, reptiles (crocodiles), marsupials and termites and the origin and geological features of landforms. Emphasis is placed on the cultural significance and complex relationships Aboriginal people have with the land, often revealed through artwork.

Highlights: College credits: Students will earn 3 credits for Eco Tour and 3 credits for mandatory independent eco-project.

Qualifications: (The program is offered to students attending American Accredited Universities and Colleges). The course is open to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Teachers and other individuals interested in Australian culture, biodiversity, conservation and environmental policy will also be considered. A minimum 2.5 GPA or higher is required.

Accommodations and meals: All travel is by air-conditioned, toilet and video-equipped coach. Students will sleep in recognized campgrounds in tents with mattresses, or in bunkhouse style accommodations, including one of the most remote roadhouses in the world. All have flushing toilets and hot showers. A cook accompanies the tour. A few meals, indicated in the itinerary are at the participant's expense. All tents, mattresses, camp tables, seating, lighting, and eating utensils are provided. Participants need to bring their own sleeping bags.

Some Eco Tour Field Trips:

Behind the Scenes tours of Sydney zoo and botanical gardens. Visits to Kakadu, Nitimiluk, Western MacDonell, Kings Canyon and Uluru National Parks. Cruise on Yellow water billabong, 'dry' season refuge to 2.5 million birds.

Noulangie Rock - Aboriginal artworks reflecting 20,000 years of continuous occupation and environmental change; walk to Anbangbang billabong through swamp, woodland and sandstone plateau scrub ecosystems.

Ubirr Rock and Border Stone-Walk in Mangarre Monsoon forest; listen to the sucking pops as a barramundi feeds on smaller fish. Investigate the proliferation of introduced species which threaten the ecosystem.

Language of Instruction:
All classes will be taught in English.

Financial Aid:
Students may apply for financial aid at their home campus financial aid office. Financial aid deferrals may be applied towards tuition and program fees only.

Health Insurance:
All students are required to have approved insurance coverage while studying abroad.

For more information, please contact the center for international programs at Suny New Paltz directly.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript

Year Founded: 1828