Overview

*Application Deadline has now been extended to March 30, 2010.

Summer School in Australia is a rare opportunity for students to take summer school in the southern hemisphere. This is an ideal program for students who find themselves unable to break away during the North American school year for a traditional semester abroad.

• Learn: with local Australian and international students in an academically rigorous environment that boasts world-class academics.
• Discover: Australia’s diverse culture, unique landscapes, and incredible fauna and flora.
• Achieve: well-rounded global perspectives, knowledge and friendships that will provide a solid grounding for future careers.

Location

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia, an attractive, well-planned city of wide streets and boulevards, squares, and parklands which is often called "the city of festivals." A friendly and safe city, Adelaide offers tons of activities in a smaller, friendly, easy-to-get-around city.

Visitors find themselves in theatres, at musical events, enjoying shopping; and with easy access to beaches, hiking and the wineries in the adjacent Mount Lofty Ranges.

Further a field, the spectacular natural scenery of the Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, and the Murry River provide plenty of choice for weekend excursions. Adelaide is also the gateway to Australia's Outback.

Academic Focus

Course Structure

Students take one core course, Indigenous Cultures & History, and choose a second course from a range of electives. These courses are taught by world-class academics including: Alexander Downer, Australia's longest serving Foreign Affairs Minister, Natasha Stott- Despoja, the youngest female elected to the Australian Parliament, Martin Williams, world authority on climatic and environmental change, and Philip Elms, film-maker and television producer.  Elective classes may include: 

• Australian Stories: Video Production 
• Conflict & Crisis in the Middle East 
• Digital Games, Culture and Co-Creation
• Foundations of Entrepreneurship
• Is America Really in Decline?
• Living with Uncertainty: Adapting to Global Change
• Representing Truth and Reconciliation in Recent South Africa Writing
• The Practice of Australian Politics
• The Australian Wine Industry: The Rise Of An Icon

Through a variety of field trips, students expand on what they’ve learned in the University of Adelaide classroom. These trips include expeditions to Kangaroo Island, The Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, South Australia Museum Archives, Cleland Wildlife Park, a NAIDOC March, and finally, an optional 8-day trip at the program’s end through the Australian Outback.

Assessment

Students are required to undertake assessment for both courses and this can include written assignments, class presentations, online activities, tutorial participation, and group or individual projects, depending on their elective choice.

Credits

Upon successful completion of the core course and the elective course students will receive 6-8 US credits on an official transcript from the University of Adelaide.

The Australian Outback Adventure: The Red Centre

Students have the ability and opportunity to extend their 4 week program at the University of Adelaide with an eight day all inclusive field trip.  The Australian Outback Adventure: The Red Centre will take you an eight-day journey into the physical and spiritual heart of the Australian Outback, where ancient landforms rise from red desert sands. There is something magical about this place, where the arid beauty of the land is intensified by its mythical significance. You will be able to put their learning into practice when you explore Indigenous and Non-Indigenous cultures, fauna and flora, and exceptional landscapes that hold great cultural significance.

Some of the experiences students will participate in may include:

• Examining the inhabitant adaptations to scorching heat through underground living in Coober Pedy, the world's largest Opal mining town
• Visit the 1920's outback living at Old Andado Station
• Visit King's Canyon located in Watarrka National Park
• Palm Valley, a lush oasis of rock pools and white sand surrounded by the harsh desert
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - listed for both its natural and cultural values. Students will gain an introduction ti Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion and philosphy), Anangu art, Anangu way of life, both traditional and current, their history and languages.

The Australian Outback Adventure is an additional excursion offered to students attending the 4 week Short Term program at the University of Adelaide. The excursion is an additional cost; see "Fees" tab for specific cost for field trip. Please contact AustraLearn for more specific details on how to sign up for this unique opportunity.

Program Highlights

• This program is intended to provide an opportunity for Australian cultural immersion through academic courses that all contain a strong focus on Australian issues and contexts
• Opportunity to study with both Australian and international students at the University of Adelaide, with a choice of three different courses
• Take classes over your summer break, without having to undertake an entire semester abroad
• Each course is four weeks long. Student scan choose to enroll in one of the three courses in a 4 week summer period.

Who Should Apply

Open to undergraduate students of all majors with at least one year of university study.

Courses may be of particular interest to students majoring in fields such as communications, environmental studies, sociology, humanities, and social sciences.

Accommodations

Summer School in Australia at the University of Adelaide will house students near the University of Adelaide campus where you will be surrounded by the beautiful city of Adelaide.

During your time in Adelaide you will be housed in a newly renovated, three bedroom apartment located in the heart of the city, a 10-15 minute walk or a 5 minute free tram ride to the University's North Terrace campus. Each apartment is stylishly and spaciously designed with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living/dining area, laundry facilities, private balcony and courtyard, as well as reverse cycle air-conditioning. One street over from the townhouse apartments is the trendy Gouger Street where students can choose from an extensive range of affordable restaurants and cafés or stroll around Adelaide's famous Central Market and pick up local and foreign produce to create their own meals back at the apartment. Each student will share a townhouse apartment with two other study abroad students. There are three room options within each apartment and prices vary accordingly.

Upon acceptance, students will be asked to choose their room type. The programs fees listed online include the basic single room (twin bed)/shared bathroom accommodations. Any upgrades will be an additional cost. Please see "Fees" tab for more details on additional costs.

Please note that during overnight field trips, students will be housed in a variety of accommodations, which may included hostels, hotels or dorm style housing.

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.

Travel: Group Flights

AustraLearn works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This insures 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 AustraLearn seeks 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

Featured Scholarships For All AustraLearn Students

Participants of AustraLearn programs are eligible for scholarships through The Foundation for Asia Pacific Education. More information about these awards can be found at www.asia-pacificfoundation.org/.


Participants of AustraLearn programs 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

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in U.S. dollars. Program fees include tuition, official transcript, host university administrative fees, basic single room(twin bed)/shared bath accommodations, meals during the field trips, lectures, health insurance, ISIC Basic Card, airport reception, field trips, excursions and transportation within Australia. 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.

**Most meals, international airfare, Australian Outback Adventure (additional $1455.00), upgraded accommodation options and personal expenses are additional costs.

Fee Semester

Dates

Entry Requirements

AustraLearn Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Short Courses and Specialty Programs BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs at AustraLearn. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants. 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 and hopes to see more of Australia and Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.