Study Abroad Programs in Cairns, Australia

G’day mate! Do you know what’s better than getting to pet a cuddly koala? Studying abroad in that koala’s homeland. Doorway to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and a great base to go on treks into the Cape York Wilderness, Cairns is not only a tropical paradise, but a study abroad student’s haven. Home to James Cook University, Cairns is a unique place to live and study abroad in Australia, especially since the city’s universities have over 170 subjects combined to choose from. Students entranced with the Land Down Under who want to hang with wallabies cannot find a better destination to hop into than good ol’ Cairns.

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2 Cairns, Australia Study Abroad Programs

IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad

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IFSA James Cook University Partnership, Cairns

Experience the best of North Queensland at James Cook University in Cairns, where small classes and a balanced workload let you fully enjoy the outdoors. This campus offers a unique setting—nestled between lush rainforests and the coast—perfect for students who thrive in nature. Embrace the region’s deep connection to indigenous culture through campus life, activities, and excursions that highlight local traditions. Explore world-renowned natural wonders with easy access to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Wet Tropics of Queensland rainforests, all while pursuing your academic goals in a supportive, adventurous environment.

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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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A Guide to Studying Abroad in Cairns

Study Abroad Programs in Cairns

Study abroad in Cairns is a popular choice for students of all majors (the student body is made up of 1,500 international students!), often because they are drawn to the large variety of courses offered within the city’s limits. Those interested in studying marine biology or environmental studies specifically are in for a special treat, because many universities provide students with their own personalized classroom, smack dab in the middle of the tropics.

Due to its proximity to unfettered wilderness, one of the best subjects to study in Cairns is biology. While some classes are based in the classroom with excursions out into the rainforest, there are study abroad programs in Cairns where the entirety of the program is based outside; in these programs, students live, work, eat, study, and play in the field to get a real hands-on view of environmental management, protection, conservation, and restoration practices. As one of the oldest rainforests in the world, the Daintree is the perfect spot for students to get neck deep in some of the most unique and fascinating biology in the world, including blue bird poop!

For those who dream of having crocodiles as classmates, studying in Cairns will place students only a short ride away from the coast, including the Great Barrier Reef, making marine biology another fantastic subject to study in Cairns. Study tropical shallow water marine systems with a focus on reef ecology, seagrass, mangroves, and shores. With all of these great locations allowing for hands on studies, students will better understand the impact humans have had on the oceans and the natural resources available in Oz.

With the huge influx of tourists every year, tourism and hospitality are both interesting and relevant subjects of study in Cairns. Through a combination of real world experience and local case studies, students can gain the skills necessary to successfully manage a wide range of tourist favorites, including tours, hotels, and events. A special focus can even be put on ecotourism, as more and more money is being invested in preserving the rare and endemic species that make up Australia’s wildlife.

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Latest Program Reviews

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.