Study Abroad Programs in Australia

Studying abroad in general is life changing but studying in the Gold Coast was above that! It was an amazing experience that taught me so much about myself and the world. There is so much to do around the Gold Coast a sememster wasn’t enough!

Having the chance to study abroad in Australia was such an amazing experience I will remember forever. I made lots of friends in my program and having my parents visit was truly special. I loved travelling throughout Australia to Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, and Byron Bay. Surfing over there was pretty incredible too, and having the opportunity to intern with a local surf school was awesome. I hope to return someday and would definitely consider living there.

I had the most amazing experience studying abroad in Sydney. I specifically went to UNSW, which is super close to the beach. I was able to make best friends that I'll cherish forever, and together we made such amazing memories like surfing, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and travelling to different parts of Australia, and even New Zealand! I'm so grateful for everything this experience brought me; I made lifelong friends, but also grew so much as a person and connected a lot with myself!! :) Even though it might be nerve-wracking at first to do it alone, be proud of putting yourself out there! In no time, you will make amazing friends and memories, and hopefully fall in love with Australia like I did :) Make the most out of your experience and say yes to all the activities you can.

This program was incredibly inspiring. Every aspect was intentionally planned to create a safe, open learning environment; a close community; experiential learning; a connection with nature; and, best of all, inspiration from practitioners in the field. Learning directly from people who have devoted their lives to embodying their values around the environment, sustainability, and climate justice was life-changing. It inspired me on so many deep and personal levels. I loved my group; I loved camping and exploring Tasmania; I loved our ecopsychology workshop in Forest Haven; I loved exploring Melbourne and Sydney; I loved living on the beach in Byron Bay; I loved cooking in my apartment kitchen; and I loved doing class readings and doing an internship during the IP period! You must be comfortable camping and have a love of nature--and then I cannot recommend this program enough.

Studying abroad was the best choice I've ever made. Worldstrides, as a partnership program, was the best. The first week, we met for orientation in Cairns, Australia, and they took care of hotel and excursion expenses (this includes the Great Barrier Reef). It was a great first week getting introduced to Australia and my program. They were very helpful before and during my time in Australia, always there for questions, concerns, and planning a handful of group activities + one overnight trip! They were truly a blessing while abroad.

Is it cliche to say abroad changed me? Either way, it’s true. This program developed my science communication skills, confidence in myself as a researcher and scientist, and field skills while keeping cultural connectivity and the natural world at the forefront. Between the oldest rainforest in the world, the Great Barrier Reef (my dream travel destination), and Cairns itself, I kept pinching myself at how beautiful and complex an ecosystem we were constantly emerged in and learning about. The assignments were really interesting and taught me a lot about how to communicate science and conduct research, and nothing beats snorkeling for hours at Lizard Island! My Independent Study Project (ISP) was SUCH a fun and immersive way to lean in to the things I noticed in Australia that interested me most. I was also able to incorporate my major (biochemistry) into my ISP, and to learn about intersections between ecology and biochem! I came back a lot more confident, a lot more knowledgeable about conservation biology, and with the fun party trick of being able to identify all the birds native to the Cairns Esplanade. If you’re thinking about doing this program, this is your sign…

Grew up on food stamps, never thought I'd actually leave the U.S. and see someone else's world. It was amazing! Loved my classes and internship, especially Race, Diversity and Difference, hearing first hand accounts from those that have experienced racism, colorism, systemic issues was interesting, I've only learned of those problems from someone that can't experience it and they speak on it from a historical pov. Housing was fine, it was my first time living with people that wasn't family. The biggest issue is the fact that washing and drying costs $5 dollars each! I started hand washing as I'd rather that money go towards food. Expensive country but I wouldn't trade it for the world. But the apartment is buggin out for making us pay to wash our clothes, rent per week is crazy high. The program itself, was amazing, the activities were fun and any staff I interacted with were extremely helpful. Especially Andrea, any questions would be answered, she'd even ask questions to see how we were doing, I went to Byron Bay because of her. I think of Byron Bay everyday. I preferred to be alone, but I do wish I had asked to hang out with people from classes, not upset about not doing it but wishing I had. Hang out with people, get on the train and explore a new area, walk the beaches until the sun sets. Make memories, try new foods, be open to new things. Going abroad was a trial to see if I wanted to do more, might go to Italy Japan in the future. I do know that I want to do my masters, but now I'm unsure of where to go, Sweden or back to Sydney? I'll figure it when the time comes. Thank you AIFSAbroad.

I would definitely recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend, because the program offers so many opportunities that are engaging and interactive. I love the flexibility within the program and how the classes are structured in a way that we can still explore on our own and be self paced.

Seamester Bali to South Africa was an awesome way to study abroad. The classes can be difficult with little time to study and complete assignments. It is also easy to feel exhausted all the time due to lots of physical activity and no so much sleep, but that is all part of the fun. The classes are also everyday, including weekends, for the most part, which is weird at first but you get used to it. It is definitely a big lifestyle change, but as the trip goes on, you definitely adjust to it and enjoy it. You get super close with the friends you make here and don't want to leave at the end. Although it can be a lot of work, you learn so much. Amazing study abroad opportunity for anyone into sailing and diving.

I had a great time! I’d say the best thing to do is keep and open mind because you may find yourself doing stuff that’s not your favorite, but if you think of it with an open mind it will be super fun. I can also promise you will enjoy passage much more then you expect, it is one of the most fun things I’ve ever experienced and definitely a highlight of the trip.

Tropical Marine Biology at Murdoch was a great short-term program. I didn't want to commit to a full semester abroad, so just one month in Australia was perfect! The teaching staff at Murdoch was exceptional, and the 10-day field camp up in Coral Bay was worth the whole trip. It was winter in Australia, so be cautious that you will be in Perth during their rainy season!

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

I traveled to Australia for a study abroad semester through USAC, and I had an excellent experience. I had the opportunity to meet many locals as well as other international students. I attended Griffith University, and the classes were fairly easy to immerse myself in as an international student. The area I was in, which was Gold Coast, Australia, was very walker-friendly and had good public transportation, and everything else went fairly smoothly. Since USAC is independent from my home university, it was a little difficult configuring my class schedule and numerous documents, but other than that it's smooth sailing.

Studying abroad in Sydney with CIEE was such an amazing experience. The staff were incredibly friendly, approachable, and always willing to help, especially when I was feeling a bit alone or just wanted something fun to do. The program itself is fantastic; there’s so much to do and explore in Sydney, and being at UNSW made it easy to take advantage of everything. Overall, it’s such an energizing and supportive environment, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to study abroad in Sydney!

Studying abroad in Australia has truly been the best experience of my life. From attending classes at Griffith University to exploring the beaches of the Gold Coast, every day felt like a new adventure. I’ve met incredible people from all over the world, and together we’ve created memories that will last forever — from weekend trips to Sydney and Byron Bay to spontaneous getaways to Bali and Fiji. This experience didn’t just expand my education; it expanded my view of the world. I’ve grown more independent, confident, and curious, and I’m grateful for every single moment of this journey. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, do it. It will change your life in ways you can’t even imagie.

I loved this experience I endured in January! Although it was a little bit difficult to navigate the course work, I still had a blast! I absolutely loved be able to surf and go on so many excursions that were offered! (Especially skydiving ;)

Looking back on my abroad journey, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have grown so much as a person and I truly think I have found who I am. I never thought I would enjoy being so independent and on my own, however, I love it. I would recommend this program and this place to everyone, however, I am selfish to say that I truly think you get what you put in to it. I woke up everyday at around 5am and began my day. I truly think I made the most out of my experience and that is something I will never regret. Overall I had the time of my life!

I went through USAC to the Brisbane campus of Griffith University, and it was one of the most fun semesters I've ever had! The program staff were so helpful and knowledgeable at each step of the trip, which really made the process easy. I really enjoyed staying on campus and getting to make new friends, both Australian students and exchange students from all over the world! I appreciated the flexibility of the campus options, though I thought it was silly that you could only study at one when several of the other campuses were only a short bus or shuttle ride away. There was so much to see and so many different experiences close by that there is something for everyone. As an outdoorsy person I loved that the campus backed up to a forest reserve! I loved my time in Australia and met some friends I still keep in constant contact with almost a year later!

My time in Sydney with IES Abroad was a memory I'll keep for the rest of my life. Although it had its hard moments (don't underestimate how much homesickness or a hard class can hit you), there were so many amazing experiences I got to have, like seeing quokkas in person or building a group of friends from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to expand my horizons and learn who I am as a person halfway across the world from the same people and places I've always known.

This trip was truly one of a kind. It was great being able to meet new people and get close with everyone, including all the professors and the walkabout staff. Every one and everything was truly amazing.