Study Abroad Programs in Townsville, Australia

As someone with a passion for marine science, studying abroad at JCU was an absolute dream. This program is a wonderful fit for students who want to experience biodiversity with people who share the same motivation in one of the greatest places to do so. Before I went abroad, I set a goal to learn the most outside of the classroom, meet new people and enjoy nature while I had such unique access to it. I would say that I accomplished my goals, but the people I met are really what made the difference. I made friends with folks from all over the world, but particularly those in the TEAN Program. Along with our Australian friends, we became a tight-knit group that still talks regularly. We ate dinner together every night, baked banana bread in the residence hall's kitchen, and traveled across Queensland getting to share our love of the ocean with each other. I understand that these experiences don't always turn out as well as they did for my group, but it was hard to come by an exchange student at JCU who didn't enjoy their overall experience. As for academic experiences, I was coming from the Midwest and was pretty intimidated by the high ranking of JCU and my small background in marine coursework. However, that didn't end up being a problem. The people there are quite nice, and you'll meet folks with diverse interest areas that are happy to teach you about it. I got by pretty easily and with solid grades using my previous knowledge of the base sciences. In terms of enrollment, courses were a bit confusing to set up (overlapping course schedules is something JCU allowed, but that was unclear until I arrived). However, I did have a great semester with plenty of field exposure and caring professors, like Mark Hamann. I would definitely recommend trying to maximize the courses with field components and getting out to Orpheus. In terms of safety, Townsville does not have the most stellar reputation though I always felt safer than I did in the States. Ideally, you make friends with someone who has a car to avoid the extra time and walking distance riding the bus in Townsville requires. However, if you want to go on trips within Queensland, a car is a must. Lastly, if you are a diver, take this opportunity to expand your experiences and certifications. The JCU dive club offers more affordable trips and courses - like the Rescue Diver certification course I took. If you're looking for recreational dives, there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the reef, you just have to find a group to go. I'd definitely recommend diving Yongala, though it is on the pricier side. For cheaper diving or just snorkelling, my friends and I went out to Magnetic Island and had loads of fun. Personally, I took a trip to Bali where I got to do more diving, but trust that there is plenty to do in Queensland. Whether it be completing more dive certifications, doing chemistry out on Orpheus Island Research Station or camping in the Daintree Rainforest with friends, I am immensely grateful for my time in Australia. I hope this provides some insight into what the JCU Program can be and that you find the right program for you!

If I were to study abroad for a second time, I would absolutely do it through TEAN again! They were extremely kind and helpful throughout the entire process, from the application to orientation to my return home. TEAN’s orientation in Cairns was both fun and informative as we learned about aspects of daily Australian culture, such as slang, that we would likely be confused by otherwise. They also planned activities throughout the week that were incredible, such as a cultural dinner, an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, and a trip to get up close and personal with crocodiles, wallabies, and koalas. Orientation was key in helping study abroad students find people who were going to the same school and start making friends. Once in Townsville, TEAN put us in contact with their resident director, who gave us a tour of the campus, planned outings, and was easy to touch base with whenever we had questions. The James Cook University campus was beautiful, with tropical plants and unique Australian wildlife everywhere. Everyone on campus and in the community was very nice and welcoming to international students. When we had to return to the United States early because of the Covid-19 pandemic, TEAN was extremely helpful and easy to communicate with. Thank you TEAN for a great study abroad experience!