The Program

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has been sending students to Southern Cross University since 1995. Hundreds of students have participated in the program to date.

As a UW-Eau Claire student at Southern Cross (SCU), you will be immersed in the life of an Australian university student. You will take classes from Australian professors, with Australian classmates. When you have finished your semester, you will be able to say that you truly experienced life in another culture.

Southern Cross University is set in the hills of Lismore. With a student population of 6,000, students experience an intimate campus community which provides individualized attention, close staff/student collaboration, and support facilities such as computer labs, the library and information center.

Location  

With a population of 40,000 the city of Lismore is set in an area of unsurpassed natural beauty. Lismore is only half-an-hour drive from the beaches at Ballina and 45 minutes from Byron Bay, Australia's most eastern point. Located to take full advantage of both rainforest and the ocean, the city is the administrative center of the region. You will find the lifestyle relaxing, friendly, and mentally stimulating.



Courses

You may choose from classes in Arts/Humanities, Business, Computing, Education, Health Services, Criminal Justice, or Resource Science and Management. Many study abroad students take Outdoor Education, which includes intensive field experiences.

Course information is available on-line at http://www.scu.edu.au/docs/handbook/, and a listing of many UW-Eau Claire course equivalencies is available in the Center for International Education, Schofield Hall 111. You may choose to take 3 or 4 classes at Southern Cross; the cost of 3 classes is included in the program.

Where Will I Live?

You will live on-campus in co-ed apartment.  Recreational facilities and organized social events are available, and a strong effort is made to house international and Australian students together.

Student Life

You can choose to join the SCU Students' Union, which provides inexpensive activities such as movies, barbecues, and an evening shuttle bus that runs from the residences to downtown.

There are many clubs/organizations you can become involved with while in Lismore. A sampling: Aussie Rules, Baseball, Hockey, Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, Forestry, Film Club, International Club, and many others.

SCU helps you experience the different faces of Australia through classes and organized trips. An on-campus travel agent will help you plan your individual adventures. From the night life of the Gold Coast to the rugged wilderness of Central Australia, there are travel opportunities for all budgets!

Academic Calendar

You may study at SCU for either semester or the full Australian academic year. The first semester (our spring) starts in late February and ends in June. The second semester (our fall) runs mid-July to mid-November. Summer vacation takes place December-February. You will receive exact dates at orientation.

Expenses

The estimated Wisconsin resident fee for Fall 2009 is $8,254; the estimate for Spring 2010 is $8,830. This includes 12 credits, housing, CISI and Australian insurance, and administrative fees.  Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity; non-residents add $900. 

Additional Costs: passport, visa, food, books, personal expenses, local transportation, and international airfare.  Estimate another $5,000 for these items. 

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $13,254 for fall; $13,830 for spring. All costs are estimated and may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs. Your financial aid package will be based on actual costs in Australia, including the cost of round-trip airfare.  You can learn about additional options, including a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation; a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships at http:/uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm

Eligibility

To apply, you must be a currently enrolled, degree-seeking, undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student. You need to be in good academic standing and have a cumulative resident GPA of 2.75.  You may apply as a freshman, but must have at least sophomore standing by the time the program begins. Want to improve your chance of being accepted? Apply for the fall semester! We have up to 35 spaces each semester. Fall rarely fills up; spring typically has a waiting list!

Application Deadline

Applications for Fall 2009 are accepted beginning September 2, 2008. The priority application deadline for Fall, 2009 is November 17, 2008.

Applications for Spring 2010/Australian academic year 2010 are accepted beginning January 15, 2009.  The priority application deadline for Spring 2010 is April 1, 2009.

Complete applications will be reviewed after these dates. Late applications will be considered if space is still available. Please contact the CIE before submitting a late application. No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009 for Fall 2009 or after May 1, 2009 for Spring 2010/Australian Academic Year 2010.  

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Comments

"My experience in Australia has changed me as a person. I can't believe how much I've done in my time here and how quickly it has gone. -Hannah, past participant

"Coming to Australia was life-changing. I learned so much about Australian culture and about my own as well. I gained new perspectives on subjects I knew well. I gained new perspectives on subjects I knew from a U.S. perspective. Field trips gave me a better appreciation for nature and for the aboriginal origin of Australia. An amazing experience."
-Gabrielle, past-participant

"This is the best semester you will ever have in college. It should be a requirement for all students. A life-changing experience!"
-Mike, past-participant

"Australia was a dream come true. The people you meet and the sights you see are like nothing else in the world! It was the best thing I have ever done at Eau Claire!"
-Hope, past-participant

"Australia was an opportunity that I am very fortunate to have had. I learned many life long lessons and met amazing people through this opportunity. I never thought that I would have grown so accustomed to this foreign place but now that my time is up I keep telling myself that I have to come back to see everyone again. Australia is definitely a remarkable place, one that shouldn't go overlooked!"
-Laura, past-participant

"I learned so much from my time in Australia. It went beyond learning at the University. I learned about a different lifestyle and a lot about myself in the process. The times I spent in Australia are times that I will never forget."
-Carrie, past-participant

"Going to Australia had always been a dream of mine and when I finally did, I was not let down because I had the best time of my life in Australia!"
-Krystal, past-participant

"I would sum up my experience in Australia as something unexplainably fun-filled and packed with adventure that every student should experience individually sometime in their college years."
-Tori, past-participant

"This was nothing short of incredible. My only regret was that I only came for a semester and not a year. The people are friendly and helpful, the sights are beautiful, there are limitless places to go, and it has overall been one of the greatest experiences of my life."
-Dan, past-participant

Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu
Internet address:  http://www.uwec.edu/Cie