Brief Program Information

• Travel across Australia
• Earn study credits for up to three subjects
• Study at a world class campus
• Experience Australia, the land and the people, in two wonderful travel programs specially designed for students

Information on this page has come from material that Bond University has prepared on the summer program.

Overview

Imagine being able to travel and see the world as part of your university studies.

Bond University’s Australian Experience study programs introduce students to the ecology, people, history and culture of this diverse and fascinating country.

Presented as a combination of classroom and fieldwork, our four-week and six-week study programs are designed especially for oversea students to give in-depth theoretical understanding of the Australian way of life, reinforced by the experience of being exposed to famous cultural, historical and ecological locations throughout Australia.

The Six-week program (June-July) explores the variety of this vast and unique country. Students will travel to tropical Darwin and the red centre of the Northern Territory: Canberra, the national capital; to Sydney, home of the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge; and on excursions to the spectacular Queensland Coast.

The Four-week program (July-August) looks more closely at the flora and fauna and special ecological issues presented by the coastal, marine and rainforest parks of eastern Queensland, concentrating on World Heritage – listed Fraser Island and the tropical forests and coastline including a trip to Hervey Bay.

This group will spend several days on one of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the unique ecological wonders of the coral reefs and cays.

Programs are scheduled to suit the northern hemisphere summer break. Students may take either or both programs, enabling them to add one, two or three subject credits to their degree without having to take time out of regular studies at home.

4 weeks or 6 weeks

The dates for the 4 week program in 2010 have not been finalized.

The dates for the 6 week program in 2010 are 6 June to 17 July 2010.

The focus of the program will be on learning by experience. Field trips will have seminar and supervised assignment components which will be held in art galleries, museums and other institutions visited as part of this program.

The Queensland Coast:

The program starts with an introduction to the ecology and history of coastal South-East Queensland, including an introduction to the Gold Coast and a short stay at a university research station on beautiful North Stradbroke Island.

Canberra and Sydney:

We fly to the national capital, Canberra, for several days of tours, presentations and classes using the resources of national institutions like the National Museum of Australia, the Houses of Parliament, the National War Memorial, National Gallery and others.

We will explore some of Australia’s oldest and richest sheep-farming and gold-mining country, and take a look at the Snowy Mountains region. This sector of the program is designed to give students a sound introductory overview of Australian history, government and culture, and set the scene for the rest of our travels.

This part of the program demonstrates the wide variety of geographic and climatic variation which Australia offers and which we have still to sample. In Sydney, Australia’s oldest city, students will learn more about the early convict era, and visit modern Australian icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

The Red Centre and Darwin:

We fly from Sydney to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) and start observations of the amazing variety of flora and fauna which flourishes in this “desert” area. We will learn first-hand something of the life and story of the indigenous Australians who have lived in these areas for tens of thousands of years.

We continue our exploration of the wonderful geography, geology and human history of Central Australia at Watarrka (King’s Canyon). Next we drive to Alice Springs, a small, isolated but lively city rich in history, with famous visitor attractions like the Desert Wildlife Park.

A flight to Darwin takes us into the tropics, home to a completely different range of animals (including crocodiles) and plants. We take our environmental studies classes to another famous zoo, the Territory Wildlife Park, and to Litchfield National Park.

Back to the Gold Coast:

The last week of the program offers students the opportunity to explore the Gold Coast and local areas, while they complete their short reports and assessment required for the subjects in which you are enrolled.

Some of the world’s best beaches and famous tourist attractions are close to Bond University. We will take at least one full day’s excursion to the beautiful rainforest areas in the ranges just to the west of the Gold Coast, and have a special farewell dinner nearby before students leave for home.

This program will comprise two Bond University subjects, each subject requiring at least 40 hours of formal lectures which will be held in both the classroom and in the field.

Two subjects at Bond University is 50% of a full time load, and is equivalent to 6-8 credit points in the USA or 15 in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Grade conversions are based on a standard institution and these are approximate guidelines.

Students will receive a Bond University transcript for all subjects completed during this program. However, it is essential that students obtain prior approval from their home university if they wish to have the credits count towards their degree at their home institution.

Subjects may fill the required components for any general electives or for a major in the fields of history, cultural studies, Australian Studies, environmental studies, geography as well as eco-tourism and not-for-profit marketing.

Australian Geography and Ecology:

An Introduction. This subject introduces students to the physical geography of Australia, and to the social and economic aspects of settlement patterns and development.

We examine the variety of physical environments found in Australia, the biological processes that influence and shape the Australian Landscape and the influence of Australian geography and climate on the changing patterns of the human population.

We also explore the diversity biology, ecology and conservation of Australia’s unique flora and fauna, looking at the wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats found across the continent, from the sub tropical areas of south east Queensland, to the tropical north central desert regions.

Australian History and Culture:

This subject tells the story of modern Australia, from the arrival of the first European settlers in the late eighteenth century until now. It is the story of the impact of the colonial settlers on the life of indigenous Australian, and of the changing patterns of life and society during the nineteenth and twentieth century’s.

This subject also examines the ways in which Australian’s see themselves and their country. We see and hear their expressions of those views in their popular culture, their environment, sport and leisure; their film and television, art and literature.

Students will be expected to read, watch and listen to a wide range of material including current local news and commentary in all media.

We visit several of Australia’s most important national cultural museums and art galleries to gain appreciation of the changing interpretations of Australian landscapes and life offered by creative artists over hundreds of years.

Outcomes

In combination, the class work and field trip components of these two subjects aim to:

• Equip students with an overview of the physical geography of the Australian continent;
• Provide an overview of the uniqueness of Australian flora and fauna, and the extreme variety of habitat offered by Australia’s geography and climate;
• Provide an overview of the ways in which human habitation, for thousands of years but particularly after European settlement, has influences and been influenced by, the geography,
• Show students how in art and in narrative, radically different views and interpretations of the landscape, animals and plants co-exist in Australia, among a population ranging from the first aboriginal inhabitants of the land to waves of settlers from all over the world;
• Provide a firm grounding in the major formative events in the history of Australia over the last 300 years;
• Offer an insight into what Australian written and audio-visual media can tell us about Australian life and culture, past and present.

The learning outcomes for students will be:

• An ability to write and speak with confidence about a range of topics in Australian ecology, history and culture;
• An in-depth understanding of Australian and Australians, informed by extensive personal interaction with Australians from many different backgrounds.

Fees & Inclusions

The 2010 fees are not available.

In 2009 the 6 week program fee was A$12,930. (Click here to convert to US$). It is possible that the 4 week program will also continue in 2010 and details will be posted here or available through the Bond University website.

Fee Includes:

All costs associated with essential travel, accommodation and food expenses from the time of a student’s arrival at the airport in Australia to the time of departure from Australia are covered by the total package fee and include:

• Course tuition and resource materials
• Share accommodation on campus at bond university
• Dormitory-style accommodation on field trips/tours
• All meals
• Internal flights, rail and coach travel within Australia
• Tours as specified in the itinerary
• Park, gallery, and attractions fees
• Local airport pickup and farewells

Students are responsible for the cost of their own travel from home to Bond University and any other additional expenses related to visa, travel insurance and incidentals.

The AEC will provide support services to students applying through the AEC Program.

Housing, Behaviour and Other Information

On campus Housing:

Your accommodation at Bond University will be in modern air-conditioned twin share rooms with bathroom, study desks, bed linen and towels with all meals served on campus in The Brasserie.

Australian Experience students will have full access to all campus facilities and resources, including the libraries, computer labs, gymnasiums, swimming pool, sporting fields, restaurants, cafes and bars.

Resident staff are on hand to assist students at all hours and the campus is patrolled by security officers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Housing during Field Trips:

Accommodation on field trips will be in high standard, backpacker-type hotels in single sex dormitory rooms with 2-6 beds or bunks and shared bathroom facilities.

Bed linen and towels will be provided for the group. At least two program tutors or other staff (one male, one female) will accompany each field trip.

Dietary Information:

Meals will be mostly simple but ample and wholesome. We may be able to accommodate some dietary preferences. Please advise any special requirements when you register.

There will also be opportunities to shop locally and buy your own food if you prefer.

Visa Requirements:

Please contact Australian Immigration authorities in good time to seek advice about Australian visa or visitor permit requirements which may apply in your case.

Travel Insurance:

Students will be responsible for their own travel insurance to cover any loss caused if illness or other circumstances result in cancellation of your registration. This will need to be organised by the student or their provider.

Behaviour:

Students will be treated as adult members of a study tour group. They will be expected at all times to act in a mature manner and consider the needs and wellbeing of all other members of the group.

They will need to take personal responsibility for punctuality and for behaving in a congenial manner. A signed commitment to this end will be required when you register.

Group Size:

This will be strictly limited. Students are advised to book as early as possible as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

On-Arrival in Australia and at Bond University:

After settling into the on campus student accommodation, students will be taken on an orientation tour of the nearby beaches and hinterland. We will also make short excursions to local points of interest.

Before you leave:

The last week of each program allows students to finalise their diaries and assignments. Tutors will be available for consultation and advice during this time. Students will also have enough time to enjoy the sunshine by the pool at Bond University or further explore the Gold Coast and surrounding areas.

AEC Support Services

The AEC offers students a direct enrolment service which include the following: advising/counseling about study options, access to online resources, application and enrolment in the overseas university, subject selection and credit transfer, liaison with the home school, assistance with financial aid/scholarship documentation (consortia agreements), assistance with student visa, housing, payment arrangements, pre-departure, arrival and 24/7 emergency contacts.

Students receiving services from the AEC do not pay any additional fees to the AEC.

For a complete list of services offered by the AEC to students click here. 

Applying!

To apply for the Bond University Summer Program, you should download the form from the university website and return to the AEC Program. Forms are available here.  

The summer program application must be submitted to the AEC program as soon as possible and preferably no later than 31 March.

Send your form to the: AEC Program, 5722 S. Flamingo Rd #303, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33330.