Australia - North Queensland: Humans and the Environment

Program Description

This 3.5-week 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 3-week field study of North Queensland. A typical itinerary includes snorkeling 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 10-day program in Fiji and/or the 10-day program in Sydney.

Program Pictures

Check out our Flickr page to view pictures of the Australia: North Queensland program!

Program Objectives

By the end of the program students will:

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.
Work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary research team

Read the program syllabus and sample itinerary for this program.

Eligibility

We encourage students from all majors to apply, as we take an interdisciplinary perspective to examine global issues in the conservation of unique wildlife, natural systems, and cultural places. Students should have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be in good standing with their home university or college.

Program Fee

The program fee (see application page) includes:

Transcript
Accommodation at hostels and motels
Orientation
All meals
Group activities
In-country transportation

Additional costs that students are responsible for include:

Tuition
Roundtrip airfare (see www.studentuniverse.com/study/auip for details)
Passport
Course packet
Personal expenses

Top Reasons to Choose this Program

Queensland is world renowned for its spectacular natural environment and unique culture, and we will help you discover its many wonders.
Where else would you 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. 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 and the Environment theme.
Our programs offer the highest quality academics at the lowest costs available.