The Australian Experience (4 Week Program)

2010 Program Dates: 18 July to 14 August 2010
2011 Program Dates: 17 July to 13 August 2011

Highlights

Includes guided travel to the Queensland Coast
Earn academic credit transferable to your home degree
Participants take the core course and no electives. The program is stream-lined to be a "stand-alone" 40 hour program worth 3-4 U.S. credits

The Program

The Australian Experience program is an introduction to Australia’s tropical and subtropical areas. This four-week course focuses on learning by experience. Students take field trips to areas of particular geographic and social importance and complete activities under the guidance of resident experts.

Course Outcomes

Provide an overview of the physical and social geography, the climate and other key environmental factors facing plant, animal and human life in Australia’s tropical and sub-tropical coastal and forest areas.
Teach students about a number of key ecological issues facing land animal populations and marine life on this part of the Australian coast.
Teach students about the ecological impact, past and present, of the demands of the modern economy, especially tourism.

Locations and Guided Travel

Exploring the Queensland Coast
This region is home to magnificent natural resources and forest and marine parks. We will visit several of these as part of our studies of environmental and ecological issues. A highlight of this program will be some days spent on Heron Island, part of Queensland’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Expert staff will introduce us the life of a coral reef, and we will have ample opportunity to see the wonders of the reefs around Heron Island close-up with snorkel and facemask. The coastal emphasis continues with a trip to Hervey Bay and the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. We will stay in comfortable cabins on the world’s largest sand island and take daily four-wheel-drive expeditions under the expert guidance of local rangers to explore the ecology of this unique environment. We will take a boat trip on Hervey Bay to take a close look at migrating whales that gather here each year, often with new calves, on their annual southerly migration.

Accommodations

Students will be housed in a variety of accommodation styles when travelling, including shared, budget-style accommodation.

Teaching

This program offers one subject that comprises 40 hours of formal lectures that will be held in both the classroom and in the field. One subject at Bond University is 25% of a full-time load, and is equivalent to 3-4 credit points in the USA.

Program Fee

2010 Program Fee: approximately $7,430 USD

The program fee includes tuition (worth 10 Bond credits, generally 3-4 US credits, on a Bond transcript); all accommodation; excursion costs; airport shuttle services; orientation programs; all meals as part of the program. The program fee does not include international airfares.

All students participating on the Australian Experience 4-week program will receive a $650 stipend upon arrival at Bond University to use towards spending money.

Travel

Bond University will organize all flights for travel within Australia. The cost of the internal domestic flights are included in the final program fee. Bond University will provide suggested international flights to Australia. The cost of the international flight is not included in the final program fee.

Credit

This program is approved by Bond University and students will receive their grades on a Bond University transcript. Credit transfer (worth 10 Bond credits, generally 3-4 US credits) is subject to home institution regulations so please consult your academic advisor for guidance. Study Australia and Bond University will provide all documentation to overseas institutions to assist in credit transfer.

Admissions Requirements and Application

Students should be currently enrolled at an approved degree-granting institution of higher education. Currently, there is a 2.5 minimum GPA requirement for this program. If your GPA falls below the required minimum or you are currently a freshman, please contact to determine eligibility.

Interested students can apply on-line or download the Study Australia application.

There is a $30 application fee. In addition, after acceptance into the program a $500 deposit is required. The deposit is fully refundable, less a $75 administrative fee, should students withdraw by March 15, 2010. After March 15, 2010 the deposit is no longer refundable. In extenuating circumstances, a refund may be a possibility after March 15, 2010, however it is at the sole discretion of Bond University.

Application Deadline: Applications are assessed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. We suggest interested students apply by April 1, 2010 to avoid disappointment. Interested students seeking to apply after April 1, 2010 are encouraged to contact Tiana McEvoy at 1.800.585.9658 or via as there may be a few spots available on the program.

A pre-departure package for the program will be sent to the applicant once accepted into the program.