Duke in Australia
A 4-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIAN BIOGEOGRAPHY & CULTURE
Program Alert
The Duke in Australia program has been suspended for Summer 2021. Please reach out to GEO Program Manager, Alayne Wood, if you have any questions.
AUSTRALIA: EVOLUTIONARY FORGE AND CONSERVATOR
Apply NowAs an ancient world, Australia’s geological record goes back to the very dawn of time, harboring evidence of the oldest crust on Earth, the origin of life itself, and the very first animal communities. Human memories also run deep in the Land Down Under. The Australian Aboriginal Peoples arguably represent the longest continuous human society on planet Earth, going back at least 65,000 years. Due to this unique geological and human history, Australia preserves perhaps the most unique ecosystem and diversity of plants and animals of any continent.
Australia is an ideal place to develop an understanding of why fauna and flora around the world are different from place to place and, on the other hand, why plants or animals separated by great distances may be closely related. Through successive field observations of the ecology and biodiversity of different Australian habitats, you'll travel to the deserts of the Northern Territory, the coastal ranges of New South Wales, the high elevation forests of the Blue Mountains, and the rainforests and Great Barrier Reef of Queensland. Majestic landscapes of beaches, deserts, rainforests, and reefs form a spectacular backdrop for this immersive course experience.
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: Darwin (NT), Katoomba (NSW), Sydney (NSW), Uluru (NT), Cape Tribulation (QLD), Cairns (QLD)
Term: Summer
Dates: June 13 to July 18, 2020
Application Deadline: February 1st
Academic Theme(s): Biology, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Environmental Science
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: Open to all majors. No prerequisite. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Department of Biology
Housing: Hostel, Tent Campsite, Backpacker Accommodations
GEO Advisor: Alayne Wood
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Field studies are supplemented with readings, videos, and class discussions.
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Snorkeling near Cairns, Queensland
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Sunset at Kakadu National Park, Australia's largest national park
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Duke in Australia students
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Duke in Australia students
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Sydney Opera House
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Field studies on Duke in Australia
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Picnic lunch break on Duke in Australia
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Gaining firsthand knowledge of Australian biodiversity!
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Snorkeling on Duke in Australia
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Sunset after a long day exploring the outback of the Northern Territory
ACADEMICS
All students will enroll in the signature course offering one Duke credit. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted.
- COURSE
- MORE INFO
COURSE
BIOLOGY 288A / EOS 288A / ENVIRON 288A
Biogeography in an Australian Context
(NS, STS) 1.0 Course Credit.
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Glass
Prerequisite: None. No prior course work in these areas is assumed or required.
Course work consists of field studies supplemented with readings, videos, and class discussions. You’ll gain firsthand knowledge of Australian biodiversity and an understanding of the basic issues of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution.
The course introduces students to the ecology of the seasonally dry tropics of the Northern Territory, the cool and warm temperate climates of New South Wales, and the high and low elevation wet tropics and Great Barrier Reef of Queensland. You will learn common representative species of plants and animals in each of these environments, as determined by the interaction of geology, climate, evolutionary history, and culture. Special emphasis will be placed on the interaction between the Australian ecology and the Aboriginal Peoples.
MORE INFO
From the Faculty Director
A detailed course website is maintained by the program's faculty director and updated each year: https://sites.duke.edu/dukeinaustralia2019/
Course Content
HOUSING & MEALS
In Darwin, Katoomba, and Sydney you will be stay in hostel-style accommodations, usually 4-8 people per room. Continental breakfast provided by the hostels. In Kakadu National Park and the Red Center, you will stay in tents. All meals are provided while overnight camping.
At Cape Tribulation you will be staying in bunkhouse accommodations in the rainforest, usually 8-10 people per room. All meals in Cape Tribulation are included.
Cairns to the list above with hostel-style accommodations. Breakfasts are included.
For details on which meals are included please visit the meal plan https://sites.duke.edu/dukeinaustralia2020/logistics/meals/
COSTS
Costs below are estimates based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2020
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Program Fee | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
| Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $13,404 | $13,444 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- Some meals
- Airport transportation to/from site
- Local transportation
- International SOS Coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
- Internet usage where available
What is not included?
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
- Airfare
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Extracurricular activities
- Visa and/or residency permit
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Cell phone (required)
- Laundry
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
Personal Spending
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
If you are a U.S. citizen, your visa for Australia will be arranged by the program, and the visa fee will be billed as part of your airfare. Refer to airfare estimates shown in the 'Other Costs' link above.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are responsible for obtaining a visa for Australia on your own. Costs will vary; be sure to research the cost and process well in advance of the program start date. Some students may need to travel to a consulate or embassy to obtain a visa. If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses depend entirely on how many extracurricular activities you will spend money on during your free time and days in Australia. It also, of course, depends on how many shirts with Koalas, mugs with silly Australianisms, cane toad wallets, and other souvenirs you wish to buy. If you are planning on doing any large-scale adventure activities on your free days, this number will also be significantly higher.
It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyGlobalEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving institutional need-based grant aid are eligible for aid for this program; work-study funds are converted to grants. Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- U.S. Departure: June 13, 2020
- Australian Arrival: June 15, 2020
- Departure: July 18, 2020
Flights
You are required to take the designated international round-trip flight organized through the travel agency. Do not book your own flight. We will depart the U.S. as a group from LOS ANGELES, CA (LAX) one day prior to the program start date, and we will return through LAX. The travel agency will help you with arranging connecting flights to LAX. Additional details on the designated flight will be provided for enrolled students in the spring.
Tickets for the domestic flights within Australia will be issued in conjunction with your international ticket utilizing fares, which are less expensive than purchasing separate tickets.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
Visa
All students are required to have a visa for travel to Australia. STA Travel will be processing your electronic visa when you book your flights through them.
Non-U.S. citizens—Pay special attention to the visa requirements for your specific citizenship by contacting your country’s embassy. GEO can provide a letter that may be required as part of the visa application process. Please begin the visa process as soon as you have been admitted to the program to ensure you receive your visa in time for the program start date.
PASSPORT
Passport
All participants must have a valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
International Student Identity Card
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is optional. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student ID, endorsed by UNESCO. If purchased in the U.S., the card also carries with it a supplemental insurance policy, which can prove to be very helpful in the event of serious injury. You may purchase this card through www.myisic.com. Processing of the card takes between 4-15 days.
PROGRAM FACULTY & STAFF
The program faculty director can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the GEO representative listed.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: February 1st
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early and perform well on the individual interview with the faculty director.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
Physical Demands
Before applying to this program, please note that the majority of this program’s activities are spent outdoors in climates that include dry deserts, high altitude cold, and hot tropical rainforest.
Most of these activities will include significant walking and moderate to strenuous hikes (including hill slopes). The latter might include areas of little to no shade, and those that are exposed to the elements (potentially high wind, heavy rain, and even snow). You'll also want to consider the following factors:
- Although the ability to swim is not required, it is highly recommended if you want to participate fully in some of our aquatic experiences.
- Much of our day-travel is by coach or bus, sometimes along heavily winding roads. If you are prone to vehicle motion sickness, please be prepared.
- Some of our hikes, depending on the weather, might be through areas heavily populated by mosquitoes and other biting insects.
- You should be prepared to spend at least five nights camping, and be comfortable hiking with flashlights.
- At least one of our activities includes entry into a cave, which includes descending a steep 30-foot stairway, and some narrow, low-ceiling passageways.
If you are concerned about any of these activities please contact the faculty program director.
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate
- Academic letter of recommendation (one)
Interview: The program faculty director will contact you to schedule an individual interview.
STUDENT STORIES
Student Field Notes
Duke in Australia students take turns posting daily field notes about the program experiences and site visits. Check out past years’ field note blogs in the links below.
Our professor and TA were absolutely amazing. Not only were they wonderful, engaging, and intelligent instructors; but they also actively worked to make this experience as safe, comfortable, and fun as possible for us.”
Someone who likes rigorous activity, physical exercise, personable/funny professors, and constant activities would love this course.”
This was immersive learning in every sense of the word. We had classes on the beach, up a mountain, in mangrove swamps, on a cliff, at night on rainforest walks...whatever we learned about, we were right there, totally enveloped in it ourselves.”
Meet with a GEO Advisor
Not sure where to start? Prefer to talk to someone? Schedule an appointment with a GEO advisor to get personalized recommendations and answers to your questions.