Overview

The areas not far to the north, south and west of the Gold Coast are not only world-renowned destinations for surfers and tourists, but also home to magnificent forests and marine parks.

The focus of this program is learning by experience. Field trips will have seminars and supervised assignment components which will be held in key locations along Queensland's east coast as part of your studies of environmental and ecological issues.

Special features of the program include:

• Multiple days spent on Lady Elliot Island, a coral lagoon which is part of the famous Great Barrier Reef. Expert staff will introduce the life of a coral reef, with ample opportunity to see the wonders of the fringing reefs around Lady Elliot Island close-up, including snorkeling.
• Another multi-day trip to Hervey Bay and the World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Activities will include daily 4-wheel drive expeditions with local rangers and a boat trip on Hervey Bay to take a close look at migrating whales.

• New in 2012: Partake on a 3 day excursion on the Minke Whale expedition. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with Dwarf Minke Whales, all the while studying the biodiversity of the surrounding reefs and see the Great Barrier Reef from the air!    

See for yourself what makes this program so amazing!

 

Location

Bond University is Australia's first independent, not-for-profit university created in the tradition of the world's most prestigious private educational institutions. The spacious, modern campus is located on Queensland's Gold Coast, which is Australia's sixth largest city and a popular holiday destination famous for its spectacular beaches, warm climate, and vibrant youth culture.

The four-week Environmental Studies program travels along the Queensland coast, which is famous for its gorgeous beaches, sand and coral reef islands, the Great Barrier Reef, tropical rainforests, and spectacular national parks.

Academic Focus

Field trips will have seminar and supervised assignment components, which will be held in art galleries, museums, and other institutions visited as part of the program. In the four-week Environmental Studies program, students take the course “Australian Environmental Issues: Management and Sustainability”, which looks closely at the flora and fauna and special ecological issues presented by the spectacular coastal, marine, and rainforest parks of eastern Queensland. Students will take at least one excursion out to the Great Barrier Reef.

• 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  
• A number of key ecological issues facing land animal populations and marine life on the eastern Australian coast
• Theoretical impact of the demands of the modern economy, primarily tourist activities

Assessment

Assessment will be based on two main tasks: an ongoing diary throughout the program, plus a range of investigative and interpretative essay questions.

Program Highlights

• Students will take this four-week for-credit course on Australian Environmental Issues at Bond University, located on the stunning Gold Coast, with a mix of lectures and class work along with local beach, reef and rainforest excursions.
• Explore the spectacular Queensland Coast through multi-day field trips to Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
• Learn from and travel with the professors and staff from Bond University’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, renowned experts in their fields.

New during the Summer 2012 Term:

Included in the program students will have the opportunity to spend a 3 day excursion on a Minke Whale expedition. Students will be able to snorkel or SCUBA dive (additional cost) with the Minke Whales during their migration. Students will enjoy the exception biodiversity of the surrounding reefs, a scenic reef flight, and eye to eye encounters with Dwarf Minke Whales**.

Features will include:

• Amazing in-water encounters with Minke Whales
• Diver size fish at the Cod Hole
• Ribbon reefs with the best fish and coral biodiversity
• Superb underwater photo sites
• Scenic low level flight from Cairns to Lizard Island
• Excellent snorkeling conditions

 **Due to the migratory behaviors of Minke Whales GlobaLinks Learning Abroad and Bond University cannot guarantee that the Minke Whales will be around the excursion location at the same time when the Australian Experience group will be there, but past expeditions show a high rate of success.

Who Should Apply?

Open to students of all majors who have completed at least one year of full-time study. May be of particular interest to those studying environmental studies or management, sustainability, ecology or related fields.  Students should be competent swimmers.

Hear from the program faculty, William Loh

Accommodations

The Australian Experience: Environmental Issues short term program will house students at a variety of different venues based on the location of the program.

Students will begin and end their 4 week program by staying on-campus at Bond University and will be allocated a dorm style room with ensuite bathroom facilities, in the student residences, which are located right in the center of the beautiful campus in the heart of the Gold Coast. During the field trip portion of the program students will also stay at three different island research stations and will be sharing "bunk" rooms with their fellow Australian Experience students. Other accommodations may include good quality, budget-style resort/lodge or backpacker accommodations.

You can feel certain that your housing will be safe, secure, and clean, and that you will be satisfied with your short course program choice. All housing fees are included in the Program Fees.

Group Flights

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This ensures that students can travel as a cohesive group to the program destination. Airfare is not included in program fees and payment of airfare is the responsibility of the student, however we seek the lowest possible student rate before reserving seats for participants to purchase, while still maintaining the flexibility that allows students to explore the country or surrounding countries at the conclusion of their short term program.   

Flexible Return Date

Additionally, group flights have a flexible return date. Students may choose their own return date to allow for personal travel after the conclusion of the program. Many students choose to extend their time overseas and travel independently after the program's end. We can provide you with useful travel resources and advice, as well as refer you to travel opportunities that can be pre-booked.

Scholarships Available

University Specific Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships offered through the Foundation for Global Scholars, Bond University supports every AustraLearn student accepted into The Australian Experience: Environmental Issues with a $750AUD Scholarship. Upon arrival in Australia each student will receive their scholarship directly from Bond University. No application procedure is required to receive this $750AUD scholarship.

Featured Scholarships For All GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Students

Participants of GlobaLinks Learning Abroadprograms are eligible for scholarships through the Foundation for Global Scholars. More information about these awards can be found at www.foundationforglobalscholars.org.

Participants are also eligible for the DiversityAbroad.com's Study Abroad Scholarship. Find more information and apply for this award at http://www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships.

Other General Study Abroad Scholarships

January Term

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad and Bond University are pleased to announce that the January term will continue in 2012. The Australian Experience: Environmental Issues program will be offered as a January and summer-term program.  The January course will be a 4 week program that will depart the US on December 26, 2011 and end on January 26, 2012. Please note that if students have conflicts with the dates, students will be able to depart the program early beginning on January 18, 2012

Bond University will support every GlobaLinks Learning Abroad student accepted into The Australian Experience: Environmental Issues January term program with a $750AUD Scholarship. Upon arrival in Australia each student will receive their scholarship directly from Bond University. No application procedure is required to receive this $750AUD scholarship.

All academic inclusions, excursions, and activities during the January program will be the same as the summer program with the exception of the amount of time spent at Bond University's campus. Additionally, the January program will begin in Sydney, Australia!

Learn more:

• Location
• Academic Focus
• Program Highlights
• Accommodations
• Group Flights
• How to Apply

Photo Slideshow

Watch a slideshow of photos documenting The Australian Experience: Environmental Issues program.

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in U.S. dollars. Program fees include tuition, all lectures, official transcript, university administrative fees, health insurance, ISIC Basic card, domestic travel within Australia, accommodations, most meals, use of wet suit during the course, field trips, and excursions. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa assistance, housing placements, personal advising, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services.

**International airfare and some meals are an additional cost, along with personal expenses and excursions.

Fee Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants studying in Australia and New Zealand. Kimberly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder. While studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, Kimberly discovered a love for travel and international education. She has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia and Western Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.