Overview

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

In partnership with the University of Canberra, AustraLearn offers a unique opportunity to explore the Australian sporting industry from both a professional and recreational perspective. The program, taught by staff from the University of Canberra’s National Institute of Sports Studies (NISS@UC), combines different aspects of the sporting industry through an interactive learning experience. This includes technical components of training and coaching and how the Australian media influence the sporting culture. This course focuses on providing you with the opportunity to observe and participate in activities that combine both theoretical and practical knowledge of Australian sport.

During this course students will be introduced to the Australian sports system, which will encompass a variety of subject areas and be of interest to a variety of students involved in sports, marketing, management, fitness and kinesiology. Students will gain coaching advice, increase their marketing skills by marketing sports the Australian way, along with gaining an insight on nutrition, sports research, psychology, and human movement and fitness.

Location

This course will allow students to experience sports in three different regions of Australia. Students will travel to Melbourne, Australia, home to the Australian Rules Football League, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Morton Island, and experience the capital city of Australia: Canberra.

Melbourne

The course starts in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria. Melbourne is considered to be the “cultural capital” of Australia hosting events ranging from epic sporting battles to world-class exhibitions and festivals. Here students will have the opportunity to experience the spectacular action of an Australian Footbal League (AFL) match.

Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of Australia and is also the home to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), a world class sporting facility where national and international athletes train.Canberra is a cosmopolitan city with many national monuments, museums, restaurants and shopping.

Brisbane/Morton Island/Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a city of sun, surf, sand and entertainment. At Morton Bay, students will explore tall sand dunes, miles of sandy beaches, crystal clear creeks and lagoons. In Brisbane students will have the opportunity to experience a large city full of culture and sport.

Academic Focus

Course Structure

A combination of classroom-based lectures from sporting experts in Australia and a variety of excursions will form the basis for this course. NISS staff will delivery lectures on topics such as The Australian sports system, sport as entertainment, Australian coaching principles, and marketing sport the Australian way. Students will spend three days at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) participating in a range of events including lectures and training sessions presented by athletes, trainers, coaches and sports specialists from the AIS. Sessions here include: nutrition, skill acquisition, recovery, and psychology.

Assessment

Students will participate in course work prior to their departure, during their three week program and culminate their experience with a research project, which will be submitted after students return home. Students will write short essays on a variety of lecture topics, write a comparitive analysis essay, write in a daily journal and gather information for a final research project in Australia, which will be completed after the program has come to an end. All materials, equipment and required texts and readings will be provided to students upon arrival in Australia.

Credits

Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive 6 US credits on an official University of Canberra transcript.

Program Highlights

• The University of Canberra offers you a unique opportunity to explore aspects of Australia's sporting industry, including kinesiology, coaching, training, management, motivation, marketing, and media
• Learn from sporting experts in Australia about the Australian sports system, sport as entertainment, Australian
  coaching principles, and marketing sport the Australian way
• Experience life at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) a world class sporting facility where national and international athletes train
• Athletes, trainers, coaches, and sports specialists from the AIS will lead sessions that include: nutrition, skill acquisition, recovery, and psychology
• Experience three diverse locations within Australia: Melbourne, Canberra, and the Gold Coast
• Trips to the Gold Coast and Morton Bay Island will allow participants to explore a lighter side of Australian sporting culture. An opportunity to participate in activities including (but not limited to) 4WD driving, camping, sandboarding, and swimming will be available

Who Should Apply 

Open to students of all majors who have completed at least one year of full-time university or college study. May be of particular interest to students majoring in sport, recreation and fitness management, kinesiology and exercise science, sports medicine, occupational therapy, physical education and health, or related fields.

Accommodations

During the Australian Sporting Industry short term program students will be housed in a variety of accommodations based on the location of the course.

Students will have a variety of safe housing arrangements, including hotels or dorm style housing. During the Canberra portion of the program students will be housed at the Athlete Village at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). Students will live alongside elite athletes in the communal environment of the AIS Athletes' Residence.

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.

Australian Institute of Sport

You will spend 1 full week at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) during The Australian Sporting Industry course.  The AIS is Australia's leading athletic training institute.  Outstanding athlete results, combined with skilled coaches, world-class facilities, and cutting-edge sports sciences services have given the AIS its international reputation as a world's best practices model for high performance athletic development.  The AIS trains international athletes, including olypians, and hosts sports camps for amateur atheletes and students. 

While on this summer course, you will participate in one of AIS specially-tailored sports camps.  You will live in their athlete residential quarters, eat from nutritionist-designed menus, and learn from coaches and experts in their fields.  Topics may include nutrition, physiotherapy, sports psychology, recovery, strength and conditioning, Australian sports system, and sports marketing.

See for yourself what makes the Australian Institute of Sports so unique

                                 Download Electronic Brochure

Source: Australian Institute of Sports http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais

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 Dates

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 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

We encourage students to consider other information sources to locate scholarships such as your library, bookstore, internet, local service organizations such as Rotary or Knights of Columbus, and professional organizations in your area and home country which may offer scholarships.

To get started, visit the AustraLearn Short Course Scholarship Resource page.

Fees

Fee Includes

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.