Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.6 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
Students can participate in one or both sessions and will earn 4 credits per session.
Australia is a land of strange and fascinating wildlife. Study abroad in Australia with SFS and spend your summer observing tree-climbing kangaroos, egg-laying mammals, flightless birds, giant lizards, and the many other iconic animals that live in Australia’s ancient rainforests and dry savannas. Learn how each of these species has developed special adaptations to Australia’s unusual habitats and consider the policies and actions needed to preserve these precious ecosystems.
Go spotlighting in the rainforest, hear night wildlife, and observe hopping bandicoots and gliders emerging from trees. Learn about these species’ history of connecting people with the land.
Major academic themes include:
- Evolution, biogeography and taxonomy of major wildlife groups of Australia
- Physiology and behavioral ecology of marsupials
- Adaptations of Australia’s wildlife to different environments
- Impact of climate change and human development on Australia’s unique wildlife
- Mitigation and conservation policies
The agricultural systems that feed the world lie precariously at the cross section of globalization, industrialization, climate change, cultural and indigenous heritage, and market demand. Spend your summer untangling the complex web of providing food for a global population and discuss ways of implementing sustainable agriculture in the face of environmental change. You’ll explore examples from the agricultural landscapes in both northern Queensland and on the Indonesian island of Bali as you consider matters of soil health, economic livelihoods, ethnobotany, economies of scale, meat production, distribution, and more.
- Explore the agricultural landscape of the Atherton Tablelands, including the food systems of the area’s First Nations peoples, while based at our most remote Center – a 153-acre rainforest property surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage Forests.
- Visit regenerative farms and the Cairns Botanic Gardens to learn how to identify multiple common tropical food plants in preparation for field excursions.
- Embark on a 13-day excursion to the island of Bali where you’ll appreciate how agriculture and religion are intertwined. Visit agroforestry and permaculture farms, tour scenic World Heritage rice terraces, explore a Balinese market, and sample coffee, chocolate, and vanilla.
Major academic themes include:
- Agroecology
- Economic botany
- Agricultural landscapes
- Human development impacts
- Indigenous knowledge and histories
Each session of this academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in Australia.
Dates
Summer Session I: early June - late July
Summer Session II: early July - early August
Refer to the program website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
In Australia, at the end of a narrow, winding road, in the middle of a lush rainforest, lies the field station, a 153-acre property surrounded by protected World Heritage forests and the nearby town of Yungaburra 20 minutes away.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.
Program Costs
Program costs are estimates and subject to change up to the program commitment deadline.
Summer Costs
The cost of a program is based on Penn State tuition rates and partner institution fees. Due to the variety of locations and partner institutions, costs will vary depending on the program. Education Abroad works closely with our partners to ensure the most accurate cost estimates, however, fees can change quickly and without prior notice. Consult the cost sheets for your chosen program often and if you have any questions please contact your Education Abroad Adviser.
Scholarships
The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Penn State Global. The application for the scholarships awarded through the Education Abroad Office is included with your program application. Eligibility is based on academic merit and/or financial need. You must have a current FAFSA on file to be awarded. There are additional scholarship opportunities through our partner universities, Penn State Academic Departments, and other sources. To view a full list of scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines visit Funding Study Abroad.
Program Specific Scholarships and Funding Opportunities
All students are welcome to apply for SFS need-based financial aid. Students who exhibit financial need for their program will be offered SFS financial aid. SFS aid is offered through a combination of scholarships, grants and loans. Visit the Financial Aid section of SFS website for more information.
Student Aid
Penn State students who plan to study on a Penn State approved program can use most forms of financial aid towards the cost of the program. Exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. If you have specific questions regarding your aid awards, contact the Penn State Office of Student Aid.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Withdrawal and refund details are dependent on the timing and reason for your withdrawal from a Penn State Education Abroad Program. For specific details and steps on how to withdraw, read the Education Abroad Policies.
After Commitment
Once a student has committed to a Penn State Education Abroad program, they are financially responsible for any fees incurred on their behalf. Therefore, if a student plans to withdraw from a program it is their responsibility to immediately notify the Education Abroad office, in writing; email is preferred.
Regardless of the timing or reason for the withdrawal, the student will be responsible for paying the Education Abroad Administrative Fees. Additional fees from the partner institution will be assessed according to their withdrawal and refund policies at the date of the withdrawal notice.
After the Start of the Program
If a student withdraws after the start of a program, any adjustment of Penn State tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. Students may be responsible for up to 100% of program costs. In most cases, partial credit cannot be awarded for leaving a program before its successful completion.
For additional information on withdrawal policies, separate and apart from financial consequences, please consult the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.
