AUIP Australia Short Program (4 weeks/ 6 credits)

  Australia

• Great Barrier Reef: 
Great Barrier Reef
• Queensland: 
Townsville,  Cairns,  Yungaburra,  Queensland,  Port Douglas,  Cape Tribulation

Term: Summer 
Dates: May, June and July

Description: This 3.5-week, 6-credit experiential program uses the theme of sustainable development to explore the relationship between people and their natural environment. North Queensland boasts some of the most diverse and remarkable natural resources in the southern hemisphere. Known as the Sunshine State, Queensland is home to lush green rainforests, the remote Outback, and the spectacular marine diversity of the Great Barrier Reef.

Our experiential education focuses on learning through guided action. Students spend about 70% of their time traveling the stunning national parks, forests, wildlife reserves, coastlines, and islands of North Queensland under the guidance of knowledgeable field professionals. We spend the first week on Magnetic Island, just offshore from the city of Townsville, taking classes with experts from prestigious institutions such as the University of Queensland, James Cook University, and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. This is followed a 2.5-week field study of North Queensland. A typical itinerary includes snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, hiking and wildlife viewing in the Daintree rainforest, and experiencing Aboriginal culture and wildlife of the Outback.

This program can be combined with the 8-day Fiji program and/or the 8-day Sydney program in for up to 12 semester credits.

Objectives:

* Understand the natural history, biogeography, ecological diversity, and related social and cultural contexts of Australia through an exploration of Queensland's network of national parks and protected areas, which encompass the Outback, rainforests, coastlines, marine reserves, and offshore islands.
* Understand the impacts of human actions on the natural systems, and human responses to those changes, using the case of Queensland, Australia.
* Develop an understanding of ecological education practices, integrated natural resource management, and conservation actions throughout Queensland, Australia.
* Be able to address relationships between human societies and their natural environments from multiple disciplinary perspectives and to develop a complex, multi-faceted and holistic view of human environment connections that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Highlights:
* Queensland is world renowned for its spectacular natural environment and unique culture.
* You will have the chance to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, hike through pristine rainforest, learn about Aboriginal culture, and visit the famous Outback?
* You will spend much of your time (~70%) out in the field, visiting and observing Australia first-hand. At AUIP, we believe that students learn from study abroad experiences both in and outside of the classroom.
* You will learn from leading Australian academics and professionals with expertise in subjects related to the Humans & the Environment theme.

Cost in US$: USD 3,150

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Australia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

AUIP - American Universities International Programs's Mission Statement: The mission of AUIP is to nurture and foster a global citizenry that respects the diverse cultures and environments of the world in which we live. More specifically, we hope that students who participate in programs with AUIP are better prepared to use this global knowledge in their home community with both short-term and long-term implications. No prior knowledge of the subject areas or environmental issues is assumed, and the courses and programs are suitable for all undergraduate students.

Year Founded: 1971