Perth, Australia

Overview

The University of Western Australia is found in Perth, a coastal city of 1.2 million inhabitants. This vibrant capital of the state of Western Australia has a Mediterranean climate and provides easy access to the Indian Ocean and Australian outback. During the program, a Willamette professor joins the group of students and acts as their faculty leader. This faculty member does not teach a course to the Willamette students, however s/he leads excursions and provides support. Planned excursions include a week in southwestern Australia before the semester starts, another excursion during the spring break, and other day trips. The faculty leader for 2010 will be Rebecca Dobkins of the Anthropology department. Past Faculty Directors include: David Craig (Biology, 2009), Pam Moro (Anthropology, 2008), Scott Hawke (Biology, 2007), Mark Stewart (Psychology, 2006), Don Negri (Economics, 2004), Sammy Basu (Politics, 2003), Linda Heuser (Sociology, 2002), Ellen Eisenberg (History, 2001), Todd Siverstein (Chemistry, 2001), Catherine Collins (Rhetoric and Media Studies, 2000) and others.

Academics

Undergraduate units (classes) at UWA are available to WU students and all majors are recommended. Natural Science majors may choose to study in Perth because of its excellent reputation and abundant resources in those fields. See the UWA Handbook for more unit information.

Housing

Trinity College and St. Catherine’s College are residential dorm-style colleges where WU students will live during their time in Perth. Meals are taken in residential dinning halls. The college provides activities, clubs, and support for their residents.

Dates

This program is only during the spring semester (the southern hemisphere's first semester) from mid-February to late June.

Cost

The program cost is WU tuition plus a program fee equivalent to Willamette’s Room and Board Plan B. The fee includes room and board, planned excursions, and on-site support. The Australian government requires that all international students have Oversea Student Health Cover (OSHC). Starting in the Spring of 2010 students will be required to purchase their own health insurance; the cost is approximately $190 Australian Dollars for five months (2008 figure).

Pre-Departure Resources

University of Western Australia (UWA)
International Centre at UWA
UWA Handbook, unit information
Trinity College (housing)
St. Catherine’s College (housing)
Information about required health insurance
Australian Department of Immigration (do not start the visa process until advised by OIE)
News
Local Weather
Embassy of Australia: historical and government information
CIA World Factbook
Lonely Planet Guide
Western Australia information