Recorded Sydney Interest Meeting from 2.15.23
Study in Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales and, with over 4 million people, the most populous city in Australia. Sydney is a multicultural society, home to immigrants from over 120 nations speaking more than 250 languages. Located on the southeastern coast of the country, on the Tasman Sea, Sydney was established in 1788 as the site of the first British colony on the continent. Sydney Harbor, home to the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, offers a wonderful backdrop for getting to know the city's cosmopolitan and international inhabitants, known as Sydneysiders.
The semester in Sydney is offered in collaboration with the Centers for Academic Programs Abroad (CAPA), the on-site organization that arranges accommodation, housing, excursions, internships, and other program logistics. CAPA Sydney Center is located in the dynamic city center neighborhood of Ultimo. The center is housed in a beautiful heritage building on the Ultimo Campus of TAFE NSW Sydney Institute that is part of Sydney’s history in the ongoing provision of quality education. The new center comprises 3 large classrooms, a light filled comfortable and contemporary student lounge with WIFI access, student computer and printing facilities, a faculty/meeting space, as well as administrative offices for CAPA on-site student services, internship, and academic staff.
CAPA's center is a five-minute walk from Central Station, Sydney’s main transportation hub, close to many shopping precincts and Sydney’s vibrant Darling Harbour. The Center is next to the University of Technology – Sydney, which houses CAPA’s Science and Technology Program, and is within walking distance of the CAPA student apartments. The beautiful grounds surrounding the center provide a diversity of seating and lawn areas, a campus bookshop, and a well-resourced library that students will have access to as a part of their program.
Classes meet once per week and are taken together with UD and other American students from a variety of U.S. colleges and universities, and many of the courses offered incorporate field trips into the curriculum to enhance the academic experience.
Internships: Students have the option of enrolling in a 3-credit internship in lieu of one traditional course. Internships are available in a variety of fields (government, public relations, business, social service organizations, and many more) to students with at least junior standing and require a 20-hour per week work commitment. Placement is contingent upon the student submitting required documents directly to CAPA soon after acceptance into the program (online application, cover letter, resume, two recommendations, state police background check). Placements are available in more than 40 different fields and industries across Sydney, but specific placements are not guaranteed. If recommended for an internship, the student must then be accepted by the organization after an on-site interview. Internship students participate in a seminar series entitled Learning through Internships, taught by a faculty member who acts as a mentor to ensure that participants have academic guidance during their internships. Students produce papers, write reflective journals, and make oral presentations examining the real learning that occurs during their programs. Students produce a portfolio at the end of the internship that must meet clear academic criteria in order for the student to attain credit for the internship. For more information on internship preparation and requirements, refer to INTP 3347 syllabus and other internship resources via links at the bottom of this page.
Excursions: The program includes excursions to Featherdale Animal Park/ Blue Mountains, as well as an overnight in Sydney's Tarong Zoo which includes a dinner and night safari, sleeping in tents, and unique behind-the-scenes experiences. Included excursion options may be revised. Social events include an arrival reception, a mid-term dinner, and a farewell ceremony. Students can also participate in optional My Global Education events, for example a food crawl through Newtown, a visit to the historic Rocks district, or a walk along the coastline from Bondi to Coogee.
Community Engagement: The staff at CAPA typically arranges at least two group volunteer opportunities during the course of the semester and can suggest additional opportunities and volunteer sites to students upon arrival.
Housing: Students have the option of homestay accommodations or they will be housed in double rooms in furnished apartments with kitchens, wi-fi internet, and coin-operated laundry facilities. Accommodations may vary with regard to size, number of students sharing bathroom and kitchen facilities, distance from classes and the CAPA center, and other factors. While apartments are typically air conditioned, AC cannot be guaranteed. Individual requests regarding apartment style and location cannot be accommodated. See this blog post from a Sydney participant for a student's perspective on the housing options.
The Program Fee includes lodging, class field trips, several day excursions, welcome reception and mid-semester dinner, all program-related activities, medical insurance, and a public transportation pass for the central metropolitan area. Students will need to budget for meals, cellphone, laundry, and other personal expenses. Regarding cellphones, students must have a phone that can make and receive local Sydney calls; the phone must also have a data plan.
The Program Fee does NOT include airfare. The program officially begins when students arrive in Sydney. Students will receive detailed travel instructions after acceptance, explaining how and where to purchase their plane ticket. See the Cost section below for estimate airfare. For this program, students will be given recommended flight itineraries for traveling together. Prior to departure, detailed instructions will be provided regarding how to reach the apartments from the Sydney airport.
U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa in order to remain in Australia for more than 90 days. Students should budget approximately $175 for visa expenses. While IGS will guide students through the visa process, obtaining a visa is the sole responsibility of each student.
To find out more information about this program, see the interest meeting power point at the bottom of this page. In addition, check out the UD Abroad blog posts from past participants. |