Summary

Offered through the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), this program is co-sponsored by UW-Madison. Participants directly enroll at Murdoch University, located in Perth, Australia. More than 12,000 students are enrolled in the university's three major academic divisions: Arts, Sciences & Engineering, and Health Sciences. Murdoch University appeals strongly to students with an interest in cross-cultural studies, including interest in Australia's indigenous population and culture. It is also recommended for science students, particularly those in the fields of biological science, marine biology, ecology, and the environment.

An on-site CIEE Resident Director provides students with full-time local academic and personal support and arranges local and regional excursions, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events.

Academics

Murdoch University is one of Australia's leading universities. This program will provide students with a critical appreciation of Australia and its regional setting, while they pursue their own academic interests. Students will gain an understanding of Australian society and its connections with Asia while pursuing a wide range of academics and recreation. In addition to a wide range of liberal arts subjects, Murdoch University has particularly strong offerings in media studies, communications, and field-based sciences such as marine or estuarine biology, biological and life sciences, and environmental science. Many courses have a practical field or lab-based component.

Students enroll in a full-time academic program alongside Australian students, and all courses are taught by Murdoch faculty. Students are eligible to enroll in any courses for which they are qualified. To facilitate academic understanding of Australia's history, culture, and society, students on this program are required to enroll in an Australian Studies course.

Murdoch University also offers well-qualified and ambitious students the opportunity to undertake a fully accredited parliamentary internship in political science and public administration, working with members of the State's parliament under the supervision of Murdoch faculty members. This option is offered in the U.S. fall semester only.

Cost

Program cost information includes not only program fees, but out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Accepted students receive cost sheets with confirmed program fees in their acceptance packets.

Fall 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Spring 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Year 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Fall 2010-11 Cost Estimate Sheet Year 2010-11 Cost Estimate Sheet

Location

Perth is the state capital of Western Australia. With a population of 1.3 million people, there are many contrasts that range from skyscrapers and nightlife to over thirty miles of white sandy beaches. Perth is ranked Australia's most environmentally attractive city, has more hours of sunshine than any other Australian city, and was ranked in a 2002 survey as one of the world's top three lifestyle destinations. The local population enjoys a cosmopolitan outdoor lifestyle, first class cultural, social, and recreational amenities, and excellent proximity to the major cities of Asia.

Murdoch University is situated in the suburbs of Perth, and students usually divide their social time between the city centers of Perth and Fremantle, both easily accessible by public transportation. Perth is the third largest city in Australia. It is also one of Australia's most beautiful campuses, with its stunning natural gardens, harmonious buildings, and on-campus accommodation. Because of its location on the Indian Ocean rim and just a few hours flight from major destinations in Asia, Perth is a vibrant multicultural city with an outward-looking persona.

Student Life

Orientation:  A required orientation session held before departure at UW-Madison helps students prepare for studying abroad. Topics covered include academic, financial, administrative, cultural, and site-specific issues. Upon arrival, a week-long orientation is conducted in Perth. This familiarizes students with Australian society and culture, as well as the academic environment at Murdoch.

Housing:  Housing is included in the program fee. Students are assigned furnished housing on-campus at the Student Village or in off-campus housing facilities. Both accommodation facilities provide high-quality multi-cultural living environments.

Excursions and Activities:  The academic program is supplemented with a range of activities and excursions focusing on Australian culture and environment, such as Australian Rules football, an Aboriginal Heritage Tour, bush walking, and excursions to museums, theaters, and art galleries. The program also makes the most of Western Australia's wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation. Students take part in a surfing lesson, experiencing some of the world's best surf beaches. In addition, there are opportunities for weekend homestays with rural families and the chance to undertake community work in study-related areas. Students may also participate in additional trips arranged outside of the typical excursion program for an extra fee. In the past students have traveled to Thailand and Borneo.

The Northwest Excursion, which is included in the program fee, is a trip to the rugged Northwest of Western Australia to an area known as the Pilbara. It covers close to 2,500 miles, across plains of wild flowers and mountainous outcrops that are the oldest on earth, and is home to some of Australia's most hardy fauna and flora. Students may come across the shy rock wallaby, the perenti lizard, the grey and the red kangaroo, and many other unique animals. Monkey Mia in Shark Bay is one of the highlights of the excursion. Monkey Mia is a World Heritage Site and attracts schools of dolphins to its shores daily. Students snorkel in the Ningaloo Reef, which is also a World Heritage Site. Another highlight of the excursion is Karijini National Park. Hidden among Western Australia's mining towns, this area is untouched and pristine in beauty.