Australia Winter 25-26
December 26 - January 9
This winter, take your studies to the Southern Hemisphere and experience Australia’s remarkable mix of environments, cultures, and ideas.
Choose from four courses primarily based in Sydney and Cairns, ranging from sustainable business and eco-tourism to environmental science, political systems, and accessibility. Two classes will also travel to Canberra to explore Australia’s government and leadership in disability access. No matter which course you select, all students will snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, visit the village of Kuranda, and take part in an Aboriginal Walkabout tour. With field-based learning in world-renowned settings, this program offers a powerful way to connect academic topics with real-world perspectives.
Sustainable Business and Eco-Tourism in Australia
From coastal trails to small-town storefronts, this course offers a close look at how sustainability shapes daily life and economic activity across Australia. Students study the relationship between environmental policy and local industries such as tourism, agriculture, and eco-adventure services. This course includes visits to small businesses, World Heritage Sites, and beach communities where conservation goals guide local enterprises. Through on-site learning in both rural and urban settings, students gain firsthand insight into the real-world impact of sustainable business practices.
Instructor:
Prof. Aaron Judd
Living Landscapes: Australia's Rainforests, Reefs, and Deserts
Rainforests, reefs, and deserts offer a living record of Australia’s ecological history and its remarkable biodiversity. Students will examine how isolation, climate, and geological forces have shaped these landscapes, and how species have adapted in response. Site visits to ecosystems such as the Daintree Rainforest, mangrove coasts, inland deserts, and the Great Barrier Reef support field-based learning focused on environmental pressures and conservation strategies. Coursework emphasizes the connection between scientific research and global efforts to protect fragile habitats.
Instructor:
Dr. Agus Sofyan
Australia: Leading the Way in Disability Access
Australia offers a powerful setting to examine how accessibility, inclusion, and disability services are woven into public life. From classrooms and community centers to world-famous tourist destinations, students will evaluate how inclusive design and public policy shape experiences for people with disabilities. Field visits and conversations with educators, advocates, and service providers bring theory into practice, offering a meaningful context for students preparing for careers in education, social work, healthcare, or public policy.
Instructor:
Dr. Mary Jo Krile
Parliament vs. Presidency: Exploring Governance Down Under
This course offers a comparative look at how two democracies, Australia and the United States, approach governance, public administration, and constitutional structure. Through visits to Australia’s Parliament and High Court in Canberra, along with political and legal landmarks in Sydney, students will analyze the roles of executive and legislative branches, judicial review, and federal systems in shaping national policy. The course also includes vistits to ecologically and culturally significant locations such as the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Indigenous-led communities, connecting environmental and cultural policy to broader political frameworks.
Instructor:
Dr. Darrin Wilson