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Australia in the Global Economy

Sydney and other Regional Centers in New South Wales

Tentative Program Dates: December 26, 2010 - January 14, 2011
Application Deadline: extended to October 1, 2010
*Optional 1 Week Add-on: January 14 - 21, 2011

GPA Requirement: 2.5/4.0

Highlights

• Includes guided travel in multicultural Sydney as well as other regional centers in New South Wales
• Study the development and performance of the Australian economy in a dynamic learning environment
• Earn academic credit from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD) transferable to your home degree 

The Program

Download 2011 Program Summary

The purpose of this course is to help students understand the history, development and performance of the Australian economy in a world undergoing rapid globalization.  As a western, English-speaking, trade-dependent country located near Southeast Asia, Australia provides a unique yet inviting perspective for this study. 

An integrated set of course readings, guest lectures, and visits to sites of policymaking and production will facilitate this understanding. The early part of our course will focus on understanding the political and economic history of Australia, its macroeconomic conditions and policies, as well as Australia’s place in the global economy. Guest lecturers from the University of Sydney provide an overview of Australian economic history and current performance. Walking tours of the central business district as well as driving tour offer a sense of place and further aid in our understanding of this antipodean nation. We deepen our understanding of US-Australia relations and macroeconomic policy with visits to the US Consulate and the Reserve Bank of Australia. When we visit the Hunter Valley and various sites of production in and around Sydney, our focus becomes more microeconomic. As we travel, we examine the ways in which the mining, tourism, winemaking, and higher education sectors have adapted to recent technological changes in the global economy.

Australia in the Global Economy

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About the Instructors

Reynold F. Nesiba received a B.A. in economics from the University of Denver in 1989, and his M.A. (1991) and a Ph.D. (1995) in economics from the University of Notre Dame. Since 1995, Dr. Nesiba has been teaching economics at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he serves as Associate Professor of Economics, Director of Service Learning, and as the Coordinator for Study Australia/The Education Abroad Network programs.  Dr. Nesiba is the recipient of both the Augustana Student Association (ASA) Faculty Recognition Award and the Vernon and Mildred Niebuhr Faculty Excellence Award for his teaching.  Reynold has a particular interest in leading and co-leading courses abroad. He has led or co-led study abroad courses to Australia in January of 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2010.  He has also co-led spring break travel seminars to Nicaragua in 2004, 2006, and 2007. His academic research has been published in a variety of journals.  In addition, he is the co-author (with Maureen Burton and Bruce Brown) of the textbook An Introduction to Financial Markets and Institutions published by M. E. Sharpe (December 2009) and the co-author (with Howard Sherman, E.K. Hunt, Phil O’Hara, and Barbara Wiens-Tuers) of Economics: An Introduction to Traditional and Progressive Views, 7th edition M.E. Sharpe (2008).  His current research interests include housing finance and attempting to make sense of economic globalization.  Co-leading this course with Professor Gardener is part of this endeavor.

Professor Shelly Gardner received her Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota in 1987.  She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences.  After working 15 years as a banker and 5 years in real estate, she joined Augustana College in 2002.  Her research interests include leadership development and rural economic development.  Professor Gardner teaches Principles of Management, Small Business Management, Sports Management and International Strategic Management.

Locations and Guided Travel

Our travels will be primarily in and around Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), and the winemaking area of Hunter Valley (NSW). In Sydney, the focus will be on understanding the economic history of Australia, its macroeconomic conditions and policies, as well as Australia’s place in the global economy. Guest lecturers from faculty at the University of Sydney provide an overview of Australian economic history and current performance. Walking tours of the central business district as well as driving tour offer a sense of place and further aid in our understanding of this antipodean nation. We deepen our understanding of US-Australia relations and macroeconomic policy with visits to the US Consulate and the Reserve Bank of Australia. When we visit the Hunter Valley and various sites of production in and around Sydney, our focus becomes more microeconomic. As we travel, we examine the ways in which the mining, tourism, winemaking, and higher education sectors have adapted to recent technological changes in the global economy.

Optional 1 Week Add-on

In addition to the three week component on Global Economy, students will also have the opportunity to extend their travels on a 1 week optional excursion to either Melbourne or Cairns at the conclusion of the program. Travel is not for credit and at an additional cost.

Accommodations

Students will be accommodated in fully furnished apartments while in Sydney. They are ideally situated for easy access to Bondi Beach (5-10 minute bus ride) and the city center. The units also come with cable television, air-conditioning, internal laundry with washer and dryer, landline phone service, weekly cleaning service, linens, towels, on-site building management, 24-hour security access, and enclosed balconies with city or harbor views. The complex also has a lap pool, exercise room, spa, basketball courts, sauna, virtual golf center, and tennis courts.

Teaching

Course size is restricted to thirty students allowing greater student participation and a more hands-on approach to learning. Teaching will be done by Dr. Reynold F Nesiba and Professor Shelly Gardner, both of Augustana College (SD). In addition, there will be other Study Australia students participating in other winter courses. Some will be following similar itineraries, thus allowing for participants to meet and interact with other students.

Program Fees

Fees for Winter 2011 program will be released in late Summer 2010. Winter 2010 program fees were approximately $6,490 in total. The total program fees include: Tuition (4 credits on an Augustana College transcript), roundtrip international airfare (assuming departure on the group flight from Minneapolis), accommodation, excursion costs, airport shuttle services, orientation program, all breakfasts and a few additional group meals. The program fee does not include all other meals, airfares, or other personal expenses.

Visa Requirements

You may participate in the winter program without applying for a visa. Instead, you may attend the program by applying for a tourist visa, provided that the combined length of any studies you undertake in Australia is not more than three months in length. Upon booking your international ticket to Australia the airline or travel agent can issue the free electronic tourist visa.

Travel

International air travel is organized through Qantas. Packages have been designed to allow students to spend time in the tropical north of Australia on the Great Barrier Reef at the completion of each program, or in a host of destinations such as New Zealand or Hawaii on their return to the US, at little or no extra cost. Upon application participants will be provided complete airfare details.

Credit

Participants in the program are able to obtain credits through universities and colleges in the United States and Europe. This program is approved by Augustana College and students will receive their grades on an Augustana College transcript. Credit transfer (3 U.S. credits total) is subject to home institution regulations so please consult your academic advisor for guidance. Study Australia and Augustana College will provide all documentation to overseas institutions to assist in credit transfer. 

Admission Requirements and Application

Students should be currently enrolled at an approved degree-granting institution of higher education. Students should possess at least a 2.5/4.0 cumulative GPA. For interested students who fall below the minimum GPA requirement, please contact  to determine eligibility.  This course also requires a two-course sequence in economics (comparable to the introductory level, or 100-level) or the written permission of the lead faculty.

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

There is a $30 application fee. In addition, after acceptance a $400 deposit is required. After August 15, 2010 the deposit is no longer refundable.  Both Augustana and non-Augustana students are required to submit the Program Deposit directly to Study Australia.

Application Deadline: Applications are assessed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. The application period has been extended to October 1, 2010. However, all spots could fill before October 1, 2010, therefore we suggest interested students apply by early summer to avoid disappointment. After October 1, 2010, please contact Study Australia directly to inquire on availability.

A welcome packet for the program will be sent to the applicant once accepted into the program.

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