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Australia Summer Public Health Program

  • Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
  • Length of program: 5 weeks, June to late July
  • Application deadline: March 15
  • Program advisor: David Watkins
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Program Snapshot

australia

Hello! We're so excited that you're considering an IFSA-Butler program for your summer abroad and have chosen the University of Adelaide as your destination. Adelaide is a beautiful location and a student-friendly city to live and learn in. We're sure you're going to love studying there for the summer!

There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.

What the Australia Summer Public Health program has to offer

  • Study international health and indigenous cultures at one of Australia's most prestigious universities
  • A Community Engagement Learning Project allows students to volunteer with an indigenous organization, gaining a unique perspective of indigenous Australia culture and issues
  • Adelaide is one of Australia's most affordable locations: Cost of living is 24 percent less than Sydney!
  • Enjoy a lifestyle geared toward outdoor activities, including hang gliding, rock climbing and scuba diving
  • Numerous activities included in the program fee, including a trip to Kangaroo Island, a cultural excursion, visit to an area winery and a sporting event

Housing

  • Students have the option of living in a shared apartment or with an Australian family
  • Students in apartments have their own bedrooms
  • Students on the homestay receive three meals per day

Academics

  • Students take a curriclum that includes two courses (International Health and Indigenous Cultures and History) and a community engagement project
  • Total credit for the summer is 12 U.S. semester credit hours
  • Courses are taught by University of Adelaide's outstanding faculty


We look forward to working with you!

Academics

 

Courses

What courses will I be taking?
All students on this program follow the same curriculum:

International Health (required)
This course introduces students to the core principles of international health via an integrated approach. It will begin with an exploration of what is meant by health itself and how the health of a population can be measured. Then, the main types and experiences of disease across a spectrum of industrialized, transitional and developing economies will be considered. This will lead to an analysis of the multifactorial causation of ill health and premature death from a population perspective. Students will have opportunities to investigate the implications for health and related services and for health policy, with an emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion and community participation in disadvantaged communities. They will also consider the organization and funding of health services. Interactive learning will be a feature of this course. No prior specialist knowledge of public health is required.

Community Engagement Learning Project (required)
Students will gain a unique perspective of Australia through their placement within an Australian Indigenous community organization. They will become active participants, engaging with members of the community and developing skills that will make them better able to contribute to society as global citizens. Working with the host organization, students will develop a hands-on understanding of everyday needs and issues being faced by the community members who are assisted by the host organization.

Students will research and provide solutions and appropriate responses to these needs and issues. In addition to their placements, students will attend seminars and complete a research project, as well as a learning journal that will enable them to reflect on their experiences and their use of knowledge and skills.

Indigenous Cultures & History (required)
This course encompasses practices and structures in traditional Aboriginal society including kinships, lore, Aboriginal relationships to the land and environment, and the complexity of the Alchuringa (the Eastern Aranda term for Dreaming). Students will be introduced to the policies and events that have affected Aboriginal society since colonization, including policies that led to the Stolen Generation, welfare and church practices, the role of the Protector of Aborigines, segregation and self-determination. Students are expected to engage in a meaningful manner with a history that is being presented from an Aboriginal perspective.

This course is designed to create a culturally safe space where students are able to reassess their individual understandings of Indigenous histories and make comparison with their own country. A number of field trips enable students to expand their classroom knowledge into a practical setting.

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.


Course Restrictions

Students may enroll only in the courses offered on the Summer Public Health program.  See the Courses subtab for more information.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. For the summer program, all students will take three courses at three Adelaide credits each for a total of 12 U.S. semester credit hours. For information on the credit weight, please consult the information below.

3 University of Adelaide Points = 4 U.S. semester credit hours

Registration

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of Adelaide course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution. Course registration will be confirmed before departure for Australia.


Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university’s policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Adelaide. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
The following housing options are available during your summer abroad:

  • Apartments:
    Students will be housed in four-to-six bedroom apartments located just a three-minute walk from campus. The Urbanest apartment complex is situated among restaurants and cafes, and is close to a supermarket for students wanting to cook their own meals. Each student will have a private bedroom and bathroom, and each apartment has its own kitchen, lounge/dining room, and heating/cooling. The package IFSA-Butler arranges for its students includes a linen and kitchen pack, along with all utilities paid and 5 free GB of Internet per month.

  • Homestay:
    Students will have the option to be housed in a homestay. Students who chose the Australian homestay option will have their own room while living with an Australian family. Meals are provided in this housing option.

Read more about housing options.



Meals

Students in apartments will purchase and prepare meals in shared kitchen facilities. Students who choose the homestay option will have breakfast, lunch and dinner provided as part of the program fee.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation for the duration of the program. You will be responsible for any commuting costs you may incur.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
No. Summer students are not required to pay a housing deposit.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you’ve made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing May 1 for summer programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after this date.

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Adelaide, Australia

About Adelaide
Population: 1.3 million
Location: State of South Australia; in south central Australia

City features

  • Known as the "Gateway to the Outback"
  • Offers the best of cosmopolitan city life with the friendliness of a small university town
  • A lively cultural scene with visual and performing arts, galleries, museums and festivals
  • One of the largest shopping malls in the Southern Hemisphere
  • A great place to live well: Adelaide's cost of living is 24% lower than Sydney!

Do more!

  • Enjoy the beach, just 20 minutes from Adelaide
  • Take advantage of great camping and hiking opportunities nearby in the spectacular Flinders Mountain Ranges
  • Take a weekend jump to Kangaroo Island for cycling, horseback riding and hiking in a pristine natural environment
  • Experience the vineyard culture through winery tours in Adelaide's world-renowned wine region

Links
Adelaide Convention and Tourism Authority
South Australia Government
South Australia Tourism Commission
Adelaide Hills
Flinders Ranges
Kangaroo Island
The Adelaide Festival of Arts
Victor Harbor
Womadelaide, World Music Festival
Adelaide and South Australia News

 

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

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Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

Program housing is available only until the day shown on the calendar as “Program ends.”

Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed.

 

Program Fees

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What's included in our summer program fees
Expense calculator

Payment Due: May 15

Program Fee Bills
IFSA-Butler will send a single bill for the entire program fee, which includes tuition, services and housing. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.

Housing
The housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features. Students on this program may also opt to live with a host family.

Personal Cost Estimates

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Expense calculator

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

* Students living in university housing are responsible for purchasing or cooking their own meals. Students who opt to live with a host family will have breakfast, lunch and dinner provided as part of the homestay.

Personal Miscellaneous: Covers general expenses of college life, including course supplies, photocopying, toiletries, snacks, personal care, etc.

Commuting: Estimates are for transportation between housing and university. Transportation for personal or recreational purposes is not included in the above estimates.

All costs are in U.S. dollars.

Forms

To apply to the Australia Summer Public Health program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to the Summer Public Health program must complete additional forms as part of the application process:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to the University of Adelaide for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to Australia Summer Public Health program, you can track which forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the student portal.


Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Australia:

altProgram Advisor David Watkins assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. David can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4229. David graduated from the University of Cincinnati with bachelor’s degrees in international affairs and political science. He studied abroad in France, Israel and the West Bank, and began a study abroad program with IFSA-Butler in Egypt during the spring of 2011. After political evacuation from Egypt, he continued his studies in Morocco. David currently advises students planning on studying abroad in England and Australia.

 
beckiStudent Accounts Coordinator Becki Niccum assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Becki can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-3077.

 




altStudent & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2000, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.



Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our student services coordinator Sharna Bremner.

paigeUpon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.

 

Get Connected

Social Media

 

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:
Student Network
Student Blogs
Experiences Abroad Videos
For Students

Orientation

Australia Summer Public Health students will also get to experience the excitement of Sydney at the IFSA-Butler orientation. Our orientation program will allow you to visit some of Sydney's renowned landmarks and to experience Australia's unique wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas at the picturesque Taronga Zoo. Explore the historical Rocks as part of a convict ghost tour, and soak up Sydney's glorious harbour on both a ferry and with views from your hotel.

Summer Withdraw Notice

Please note that the University of Adelaide has a very strict withdraw policy for summer. Australia Summer Public Health students should be aware of the following policies:

  • If you withdraw from the program after May 10, the University of Adelaide will charge a withdrawal fee of AUD$250.
  • If you withdraw after May 18, the University of Adelaide will charge you the entire program fee.

Although IFSA-Butler students pay their fees to us instead of the University of Adelaide, we are responsible for any fees incurred on behalf of our students. Therefore, we are obligated to follow the university's refund policy for summer students. Please contact our office with any questions about this situation.

 
Institute for Study Abroad, Alliance For Global Education and MORE CULTURE. LESS SHOCK. are registered marks of the Institute for Study Abroad, Inc.