A semester in Australia provides the opportunity to experience the diverse landscape of the country; here, students paddle the Kimberley's Drysdale River. Photo: Brooke Cunningham

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 summer semester includes backpacking, sea kayaking, sailing 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, geckos, cockatoos, kookaburras and honeyeaters, as well as huge termite mounds. Both semesters also spend time on the coast, with opportunities to see turtles, a variety of reef fish species, 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.

Canoeing
(spring only) 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.

Sea Kayaking
(summer only) You’ll begin your sea kayaking adventure in the waters surrounding the Dampier Archipelago, a group of 42 rocky islands offering scrubby eucalyptus valleys and isolated coral reefs. Here you’ll have the opportunity to learn sea kayaking skills, explore the colorful marine ecosystem, and visit the most prolific Aboriginal petroglyph site in the world.

Backpacking
Your backpacking section will be in the Kimberley, in areas that offer everything from gorges and grasslands to billabongs (water holes) and waterfalls. You’ll learn about the local cattle stations and how to backpack effectively in this hot, dry environment. You may also use everything you’ve learned up until now on a student expedition.

Cultural
(spring only) You’ll head out by bus and small boat to the Bardi Aboriginal homelands for a week on the coast and islands of the Indian Ocean. You’ll study the marine ecology and learn Bardi crafts and traditions like boomerang and spear making.

(summer only) You’ll visit a local Aboriginal community, like Jarlmadangah, for a few days where you will learn about their traditional and present day lifestyles.

Sailing
(summer only) To round out your coastal skills, you’ll spend a week aboard a large, traditional 55-foot sailing yacht exploring the Broome coastline. You will learn the fundamentals of basic coastal cruising, which include maneuvering a vessel under power and sail, along with coastal navigation and seamanship.

Spring Semester in Australia Duration: 75 days Age 18 and Over (Average Age: 20) Tuition: $12,600 Dates: March 14-May 27, 2008 March 21-June 3, 2008 Canoeing, Backpacking, Cultural College Credit: (Optional) 16 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Biology 2 Hours Environmental Ethics 4 Hours Leadership Techniques 4 Hours Skills Practicum 4 Hours Risk Assessment Course start/end: Broome, Australia Equipment Deposit: $600 Fly in/out: Broome, Australia Downloads: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

Summer Semester in Australia Duration: 70 days Age 18 and Over Tuition: $10,250 Dates: June 16-Aug. 24, 2008 Backpacking, Sea Kayaking,Coastal Cruising, Cultural College Credit: (Optional) 16 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Biology 2 Hours Environmental Ethics 4 Hours Leadership Techniques 4 Hours Skills Practicum 4 Hours Risk Management Course start/end: Broome, Australia Equipment Deposit: $600 Fly in/out: Broome, Australia Downloads: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

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