Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in Cairns, Australia

1 Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in Cairns, Australia

SIT Study Abroad

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SIT Study Abroad: Australia: Rainforest and Cultural Ecology

Situated between the Wet Tropics Bioregion and the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is the ideal base for exploring this incredibly diverse region and its human inhabitants. In this globally significant ecological setting, you will learn to read the landscape and conduct marine, terrestrial, and anthropological fieldwork in a cross-cultural context. Travel throughout North Queensland, exploring different ecosystems with high biodiversity and landscape values. From bushland to rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll practice fieldwork techniques and observe some of Australia’s unique animal species. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, and health insurance. Meal arrangements vary by program. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

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Arcadia Abroad

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James Cook University

Close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical savannahs, bushlands, and rainforest Established in 1961 and currently home to more than 20,000 students, James Cook University, located in Townsville in tropical north Queensland, is ranked number one in the world for Marine and Freshwater Biology - a fitting designation for a university with close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding tropical savannahs, bushlands, and rainforest. JCU draws strength and inspiration from Australia’s rich and diverse environment, and many courses offer fieldwork components to maximize your experience with hands-on learning. With stellar rankings for student support, skills development, research (with 26 specialized research centres and institutes), and learner engagement, students from over a hundred countries enjoy JCU’s extensive range of course offerings, with additional strengths in biodiversity, tropical environmental studies, earth sciences, tropical health, and a special focus on ecotourism, along with cultural heritage management and Asia-Pacific community development.

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Experience of a Lifetime

August 22, 2024by: Camilla B - United StatesProgram: SIT Study Abroad: Australia: Rainforest and Cultural Ecology

If you're considering applying for this program, especially if you're a biology or environmental science major, I highly recommend it. While the academic rigor wasn't as intense as some of my courses at my home university, the content and research opportunities were exceptional and unlike anything I'd experienced before. We worked on several research projects, including one on Lizard Island that examined habitat degradation and fish species—something that was especially meaningful to me as a biology major. The Independent Study Project (ISP) was a different experience altogether. Although finding an advisor was a bit stressful and time-consuming, I was incredibly fortunate to end up working at a sea turtle rehab center. That month was not only incredibly enjoyable but also a tremendous learning experience. By the time I had to write the 40-page paper at the end, it felt almost effortless. I also made lifelong friends through this program, as we often shared close living quarters in hostels or cabins. It felt like we became a big family, taking excursions and sharing experiences together. Overall, the combination of the other students, the academic advisors, and the program itself made this one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

Awe-inspiring, hands-on, big-picture, self-improving, memorable

July 18, 2014by: Gwendolyn BrownProgram: SIT Study Abroad: Australia: Rainforest and Cultural Ecology

My favorite experiences were snorkeling with giant clams, nudibranchs, and giant manta rays. I wanted the opportunity to learn about rain forests and other tropical ecosystems and this program had one of the best, hands-on learning programs for that topic. I loved the experiential learning format-- we spent time living and studying in the rain forest, near the Great Barrier Reef, and with Aboriginal elders. I was also drawn to the Independent Study Project that is a fundamental part of the SIT study abroad experience. I spent a month working on my own research project at a policy NGO, which enabled me to learn a ton and gave me an impressive publication for future job applications. Additionally, it taught me a lot about independent work and prepared me well for live post-college because I had to find an academic adviser and host institution with whom to conduct my research on my own.