Study Abroad in Australia

Let's face it; the main reason to study abroad in Australia is to get far, far away from life as you now know it. Australia isn't the nerve center of any ivy-encrusted culture. You aren't considering studying there for the ruins, the literature, or the cuisine. You want Australia for the laid back enjoyment of it. If you're going to study, it might as well be overseas for study abroad, and Australia might as well be the place. And why not; it offers a multitude of fine colleges and universities, great beaches. and it's at the far end of the earth.

Your school should be able to provide you with brochures and descriptions of Study Abroad Australia programs. If not, do an Internet search for "study abroad" and "Australia", then refine it by adding the kind of courses you're interested in. You'll find a variety of opportunities. You can study just about any topic you could get at home, but you'll be in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, or - if you really want to get away - Perth. (Check it out.)

If your school doesn't have a direct relationship with a study abroad center in Australia, you still should be able to find programs that offer transferable credits through another university. Just make sure that the credits will fit into your academic plan, if it matters to you.

Getting to Australia won't be cheap. Occasionally there are deeply discounted fares to Asia, but Australia isn't on the way to almost anywhere else. You'll have to watch for special deals or else just bite the bullet and take the travel package that comes with the study abroad program.

Cultural Note: Yes, they speak English and are a former British colony, but Australia is still overseas and foreign. Don't be an ugly foreigner. Study up on Australia before you go. Learn about the government. Learn the name of the Prime Minister (John Howard), including learning what a Prime Minister is, if you have to. Studying Australian history couldn't hurt, either.

Finally, don't forget that summer is winter Down Under. You might be able to get away for the summer, put in a semester, and get home for a second summer in the same year.

»Back to Top