Spending a semester in Australia’s sun-soaked land is the perfect time to learn outdoor skills, environmental ethics, and leadership. King Leopold Range, The Kimberley Photo: Jen Klewitz

Australian semesters are expeditions of discovery in a land of great contrasts. The spring semester consists of canoeing, backpacking and cultural sections. For 75 days, you’ll travel as a group through northwestern Australia’s Kimberley region, a place so remote you’ll get there by four-wheel drive vehicle or light plane, and you won’t return to civilization until the semester ends.
The 68-day summer semester includes first-aid, backpacking, sea kayaking, and cultural sections, where you’ll explore the Kimberley and the Pilbara regions, learning how to be comfortable in both bush and marine environments.

You’ll see crocodiles, kangaroos, wallabies, and kookaburras, as well as huge termite mounds. Both semesters spend time on the coast, spotting sea turtles, reef fish, coral, and other marine animals. The uniqueness of Australia’s natural surroundings makes this an ideal place for you to challenge yourself, learn, and have fun.

Backpacking
Your backpacking section will be in the Kimberley, in areas that offer everything from gorges and grasslands to billabongs (watering holes) and waterfalls. You’ll learn about the local cattle stations and how to backpack effectively in this hot, dry environment. You may also get the opportunity for a student expedition, hiking close by, yet independent of, your instructors.

Learning Bardi crafts and culture is a highlight for NOLS Australia students. Sunday Island Photo: Jen Klewitz

Culture
For a week of your semester you’ll have an opportunity to explore the Bardi Aboriginal homelands, studying marine ecology and learning Bardi crafts and traditions like boomerang and spear making, or visit another local Aboriginal community, like Jarlmadangah, learning about their traditional and contemporary lifestyles.

Canoeing
During this five-week section, you’ll travel through the heart of the Kimberley, both by canoe and on foot. You’ll paddle and portage your boat and gear down the Drysdale River, one of the most remote rivers in the world, while you learn the intricacies of canoe travel and develop your leadership style. You’ll also take exploratory day hikes into the wilderness.

Semester in Australia Duration: 75 days Age: 18 and Over (Average Age: 20) Tuition: $14,425 Dates: March 8-May 21, 2013 Canoeing, Backpacking, Cultural College Credit: (Optional) 16 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Biology 2 Hours Environmental Studies 4 Hours Leadership Techniques 4 Hours Skills Practicum 2 Hours Risk Assessment 2 Hours Cultural Studies Course start/end: Broome, Australia Equipment Deposit: $700 Fly in/out: Broome, Australia Additional Information: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

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Meet NOLS Semester in Australia alumnus Mike DiDonna -- A musician and photographer from Long Island, N. Y., Mike always felt a calling to go to Australia, and a NOLS semester offered the perfect route to take him there.

A Test of Leadership: Outdoor Skills Program Helps Build Bodies, Confidence, and Courage by Matt Mullins. Wisconsin State Journal, November 22, 2000.