Summary

Co-sponsored by UW-Madison, the Australian Parliamentary Internship program by Arcadia University, The College of Global Studies, allows students to learn about Australian Parliament and policy-making in Canberra, Australia's capital city. Canberra is the home of Australia's federal government and serves as the headquarters for all federal departments as well as for many national associations and lobby groups.

Students will enjoy an exceptional opportunity to complete research for a member or senator of the Australian Parliament, or for a public service agency, industry, community organization, or lobby group. During the program, students will spend four days per week at their internship. They'll also choose a semester-long course to enroll in at Australian National University. Students can choose from a variety of course offerings from various departments.

Academics

As an intern in the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP), students spend a semester with Australian and other international students, taking a course at Australian National University (ANU) and spending four days per week at their internship. Internship placements may take place with a member of Parliament, a governmental agency or non-governmental agency. Placements will allow students to participate in the daily work of politicians, civil servants, lobbyists, or industry leaders. Along with the internship, students will produce a major research paper which is connected to the internship placement.

The internship will begin with an introduction to the Australian political system. The program will incorporate lectures from politicians, civil servants, and diplomats adding a practical application to the theoretical framework of political science. The internship will be assessed by a final analytic research report, an oral presentation, and an essay that describes what was gained from the experience.

Students will also enroll in one course of their choosing at Australian National University. Students will enroll in one course of their choosing at Australian National University (ANU). Most courses meet several times a week and consist of both lectures and tutorials.

One of the interesting features of ANIP is that while students will spend a great deal of time at their internships, they'll also have the opportunity to integrate into a university community. Students are considered a fully enrolled student at ANU and all of the facilities and services will be available to them.

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 Fall 2010-11 Cost Estimate Sheet

Location

It's rare that a nation's capital can be called ideal location for the outdoor enthusiast, but Canberra offers a unique mix of recreational opportunities, far beyond what would be expected in a capital city. With lakes, mountains, and forests nearby, students can go from hiking and seeing kangaroos on Black Mountain to viewing thousands of works of art in the National Gallery. Museums like the Australian War Memorial provide a fascinating perspective on how Australians see their own history, while attending a Canberra Raiders Rugby League game can give some insight into the importance of sports in Australian society.

Canberra is also an ideal point from which to explore the rest of Australia. Sydney is a three hour drive or train ride, while Melbourne is only an hour's flight away. Regular flights from the Canberra Airport to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are inexpensive and convenient and put all of Australia within easy reach. Within a two hour drive or bus ride is the heart of the Snowy Mountains, while three hours in the opposite direction will is the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales with its beaches and rainforests.

Of course, there are plenty of things to do in Canberra just by staying in the city. Festivals, restaurants, and theaters abound. Indian, Japanese, Thai, Italian, Turkish, and even Australian restaurants can be found within walking distance of Austrlian National University.

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 arriving in Australia, students participate in a three-day, comprehensive orientation led by Arcadia on-site staff. For students that begin the program in the spring (called Semester One in Australia), orientation will be spent in and around Melbourne. For students that begin the program in the fall (called Semester Two in Australia) orientation will be held in Caloundra, on the scenic Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane.

Housing:  Students participating in the parliamentary internship live on campus at Australian National University. ANU features a vibrant residence life program. The residence halls, called colleges, are all located on campus and provide a close knit community with numerous services and activities available to students - ranging from academic assistance, to sports teams, to resident barbeques. Meal plans are included at some colleges.

Excursions and Activities:  To help students take full advantage of the overseas experience, Arcadia on-site staff plans extracurricular excursions and cultural activities that students are invited (and encouraged!) to join. Included in the program fee is one fully-subsidized, in-state excursion. Additionally, students may also participate in other excursions at a greatly-reduced cost. These excursions allow participants to spend time with other students studying in Australia as well as allowing them to learn more about the vast Australian landscape and culture. Excursions include trips to the Great Ocean Road (Victoria), North Stradbroke Island (Queensland), and Jervis Bay (New South Wales). Arcadia on-site staff will discuss these opportunities in detail during orientation.

Past excursions have included a weekend wilderness trip to Tasmania, a weekend botanical/Aboriginal culture experience to Magnetic Island (Tropical Queensland) and a 10-day expedition to the deserts of Central Australia. It is important to note that in all Arcadia excursions great importance is attached to the notions of safety, experiential learning and cultural understanding. The trips are unique in that they are specifically organized in "off-the-beaten-track" areas and enhanced by the expertise of fully qualified staff.