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Stanford at The University of Queensland, Australia

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Stanford’s program in Australian Coastal Studies offers a unique opportunity to learn about Australian culture while studying the enormous diversity of coral reefs and rainforests. This program is ideal for students interested in environmental and ecological science and policy.

In collaboration with the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland, Overseas Studies enrolls up to 48 students in a prearranged set of courses in marine biology and ecology of the Great Barrier Reef and the coastal rainforest, as well as an introduction to Australian Studies. This program is mobile and during the quarter, faculty members will lead students from The University of Queensland’s campus in Brisbane, to research stations on the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay, to K’gari the world’s largest sand island, and around the iconic city of Sydney. Students will also have opportunities to earn WAYS requirements!

Watch the BOSP Australia 2017 cohort's experiences in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Heron Island, Sydney, North Stradbroke Island, and Brisbane.

Student Ambassadors

share their first-hand experiences about the program, what led them to choose the program, and some of the challenges they faced while studying abroad. Dive deeper into 'a day in the life' while abroad, as a particular student experience may help you decide if this program is right for you.

What I Did in Australia

Anika Quon

Major: Earth Systems

Minor: Data Science (+ Notation in Science Communication)

Tamara Mekler, Australia, Autumn 2015-16

Emily Brieant, Human Biology

"Gaining a practical sense of ecological field work was quite valuable to me, as someone who had relatively minimal exposure to this prior to the program. I think this immersive style of learning was to me the most additive academic benefit--learning the theoretical/conceptual lessons and then going out and actually seeing and experiencing those ideas, processes, ecosystem phenomena allowed for a much more sincere appreciation of each topic. The variety of learning modes was immense, with the structure, content and teaching styles changing for each course/ module. To this end, engaging with only one course at a time was also a novel learning experience and helped foster a very present academic mindset."