Educational System
You will find that learning at Australian universities is much different than that of an American institution in that much more responsibility for learning the material is placed upon the student. Teaching methods and assessment vary from institution to institution, but in general, academic life consists of large lectures followed by more intimate tutorials and labs where the information is studied in detail. The student is expected to read and research without much formal structure (generally no weekly assignments or exams). |
Partner Universities CIS currently partners with the following universities in Australia: |
People and Culture The British's original influence on Australia's colonial origins has evolved over two centuries into a dynamic multicultural society. Nearly a quarter of today's 18 million Australians were born in another country. More than 100 different ethnic groups are represented in Australia, making it one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Although many languages are spoken in Australia, English, with a distinct accent and vocabulary, is the predominant spoken language. You will probably find your English vocabulary growing substantially in your time abroad as you hear words such as "mate", "g'day"and "barbie" batted about daily. Australia is also rich in the arts. There are eight professional orchestras and a national opera company. Within Australia there are more than 1000 museums preserving and displaying Australia's diverse cultural heritage. Recently, Australian films are winning international acclaim, while many Australian film directors, actors and technicians are becoming highly regarded in Hollywood. Australia has a worldwide reputation for its sports and outdoor activities. The Olympic Committee's selection of Sydney to host the 2000 Olympic Games confirms this reputation. More than 120 national sporting organizations and thousands of state and regional club bodies exist in Australia. It is estimated that 6.5 million people, about a third of the population, are registered sports participants. |
Geography and Climate Australia is a vast continent situated south of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea between the Pacific and Indian oceans. As the world's sixth largest country, Australia measures some 2,400 miles east to west and 1,900 miles north to south. The country is divided into six states and two primary territories. Much of the interior of the country is flat, barren and extremely sparsely populated. More than eighty percent of the population lives on the coast. Of the states and territories, New South Wales (NSW) is the most populous and heavily industrialized state in Australia. Sydney, the state capital, is Australia's largest city and an important financial center. The second largest state is Queensland, known for its two major resort destinations, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, as well as for the Great Barrier Reef. Brisbane is Queensland's capital and third largest city in Australia. Victoria, south of New South Wales, is the second smallest Australian state, yet the most densely populated. Melbourne, the nation's second largest city, is a world-renowned cultural, artistic, financial and communications center. Other notable states include South Australia and Western Australia. South Australia lies to the west of Victoria and its landscape varies from lush farmland to desert. The capital city, Adelaide, is often referred to as Australia's cultural capital and has a gracious "old world" feel. Western Australia is the largest Australian state. Even though it contains only one-twelfth of Australia's population, its rich mining accounts for about one-quarter of the country's total income. Perth, the state capital, is about 1,500 miles from Adelaide, the nearest major Australian city. Australian seasons are the opposite of ours in North America: summer begins in December, autumn in March, winter in June and spring in September. Nearly a third of Australia is in the tropics, while the rest lies in the temperate zone. Therefore, seasonal variations are moderate. As a matter of fact, it's rare for temperatures to drop below freezing on the mainland except in the mountains. |
Health and Safety Australian health and safety standards are some of the highest in the world. While there is little need for concern, we recommend that you exercise caution until you are familiar with your surroundings. During your stay in Australia you will be required to possess the Australian Overseas Health Coverage (OSHC). Health insurance is around $150-$160.00 a year. You purchase health insurance through the university and pay for it when you pay your tuition. With this coverage, you can use the same medical services as an Australian citizen. |
 CIS - Center for International Studies 17 New South Street # 205, Northampton, MA 01060 Toll-free phone 877 617-9090, Phone: 413 582 0407 Fax: 413 582 0327, Request More Information |
There
are 38 Australian government approved (accredited) universities in Australia.
Of these, all but two are publicly funded. One of these, Bond University,
is represented by CIS. The average size of the institutions is comparable
to a U.S. state university. Because education in Australia is renowned
for its high academic standards, transferring credit to any U.S. university
should not be a problem. Australian universities have three-year bachelors
degree programs. As Australia's seasons are opposite those in the northern
hemisphere, so too is the academic calendar. The academic year begins
in February and runs through 