Australia/New Zealand: Tour Information

I. Introduction

Comparative International Perspectives on Cities and the Environment

15-credits offered during Winter Quarter 2006 by,
UW Seattle Program on the Environment
UW Tacoma Urban Studies
UW Tacoma Environmental Science

The field course will introduce students to international approaches to urbanization and the environment in three growing coastal metropolitan areas through the examination of urban and environmental issues in 1) Seattle-Tacoma, WA, USA; 2) Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and 3) Greater Auckland, New Zealand. Specific topics are chosen to integrate a range of interrelated urban and environmental topics. This 15-credit course is centered around a two-week stay in Auckland, New Zealand and three weeks stay in Sydney, Australia. Students will spend all of Winter Quarter engaged in full-time study and field work, of which about 30% will be in the Seattle-Tacoma area, 30% in New Zealand, and 40% in Australia.

The program is aimed at Urban Studies majors, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors, and students in related fields at all three UW campuses, as well as other students from throughout the UW system with the desire to learn in a highly interactive, international way. Pending final approval the credits may count towards natural science distribution requirements or towards social science requirements, depending on the subject matter of student projects and the structure of students' own degree programs.

The academic requirements of this course include a rigorous, 35-day international travel experience in Australia and New Zealand, during which students will learn from and interact with faculty, local urbanist and naturalist guides, indigenous peoples, and the incredible diversity of organisms and habitats in Australia and New Zealand. Students will be required to research and write several short project papers and assignments while in the field, maintain a detailed field journal, read two books and many articles on topics included in the course, and complete a major research paper.

Students will stay in the University of Auckland Railway Campus facility in Auckland, the University of Sydney International House in Sydney, Australia; a few days will be devoted to off-site field trips. Pre- and post-trip activities and presentations on the Seattle and Tacoma campuses of UW (in early January and March, respectively) will comprise the rest of the coursework.

II. Student Eligibility

There will be a maximum of 20 students chosen to participate in this program. Matriculated, non-matriculated, and undergraduate students in urban and environmental-related programs are invited to apply. Students from other disciplines are also invited to apply. Participants are selected on the basis of scholarship, preparation, interest, motivation, and emotional maturity. No previous international/language experience is required, though a willingness for physical activity (i.e. walking up to 2-3 miles per day) is necessary.

III. Assignments

Course grades will be calculated based on these activities as follows. Percentages are approximate.
Field Assignments: 30%
Landscape essays 15%
Field journal: 20%
Research paper: 25%
Participation 10%

IV. Texts

The textbooks used in this program are:

Claire Freeman and Michelle Thompson-Fawcett, eds. 2003. Living Space: Towards sustainable settlements in New Zealand . Dunedin, NZ: University of Otago Press.

Mark Hinshaw. 1999. Citi-state Seattle: Shaping a modern metropolis. Chicago: Planners Press.

P. Donahue and J. Trombold, eds. 2000. Seattle: The city in prose . Seattle: University of Washington Press.

John Connell, ed. 2000. Sydney: The emergence of a world city. New York: Oxford University Press.

Phil McManus, Vortex Cities to Sustainable Cities: Australia's Urban Challenge , 2000. University of New South Wales Press.

V. Application

Applications are no longer being accepted.

VI. Program Fees

Total Program Fee is $3,700* which includes a course fee for 15-credit hours of UW undergraduate credits which can be applied toward graduation. UW Seattle students are required to pay a "concurrent enrollment" fee of $200 to the International Programs and Exchanges (IP&E) Office. Refer to section "H" for details.

• Deposit: $250
• Travel Fee: $1,750
• Academic Course Fee (in lieu of tuition): $1700

*The total program fee is subject to change depending on various factors such as currency fluctuations and UW tuition increases.

VII. Program

A. What's Included:

• Course fee for 15 credits
• Housing in Sydney, Australia (approximately 3 weeks)
• Housing in Auckland, New Zealand (approximately 2 weeks)
• Meals provided in Sydney, Australia (20 days) while staying at the International House
• Required field trips and most museum entry fees
• Ground transportation for out-of-city travel field trip(s)
• 15 UW credits conferred upon successful completion of program

B. Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Australia / New Zealand.
• Student health and travel insurance
• Ground transportation (for in-city travel)
• Some meals and all personal expenses
• Travel documents
• Textbooks
• Personal spending money

C. Accommodations:

Railway Station (Auckland, New Zealand)

During the Auckland portion of the course students will be staying in the historic Railway Station located just minutes from downtown Auckland and the University of Auckland campus. This facility is one of Auckland's most historic buildings because of its significant architecture combined with function. Originally built in 1928 it was New Zealand's most expensive independent construction project of its time. The original use was that of a main point of arrival for rail passengers in Auckland (also known as the gateway to the city) for most of the century as well as included amenities for shopping, dining rooms, waiting rooms and first aid. Today this "gateway to the city" provides residential space for students and visitors alike.

 

International House, University of Sydney (Sydney, Australia)

International House opened in 1967 as a Hall of Residence for students and visiting academics and visiting scholars at The University of Sydney. It houses around 200 residents consisting of men and women of all nationalities. A majority of its
residents are postgraduates. It is an adult community made up of rich and diverse cultures.

Brief history of the international house.

D. Travel Documents:

Everyone, except travelers with Australian or New Zealand passports, requires a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to enter Australia. New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa or ETA before traveling to Australia. A U.S. passport valid 6 months beyond your anticipated date of return to the US or similar certificate of identification is required. No visa, tourist card or immigration certificate is required. An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. If you are eligible, the ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) of Australia. Apply for an ETA online. For further information on tourist visas, working holidays, business visits, students, immigration, Electronic Travel Authority (ETAs), visas and other useful contacts visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' web site.

E. Health Requirements:

Immunizations are not required for Australia and New Zealand. However, it is advisable that you are up-to-date on your regular immunization schedule.

F. Climate:

Sydney and Auckland are located between 30º and 40º S latitude.

Auckland
Temperatures during the summer months, January/February vary from the mid to high 80's ºF (approximately 27º C) during the day to the low to mid 70's ºF (approximately 24º C) at night.

Sydney
Sydney's average maximum summer temperature during these months is 78º F (26º C), minimum 67º F (19º C) . Sydney is subtropical, with high and very oppressive humidity in summer building up to sporadic torrential rainstorms.

Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion
C	0°	5°	10°	15°	20°	25°	30°	35°	40°	45°	50°	55°
F	32°	41°	50°	59°	68°	77°	86°	95°	104°	113°	122°	131°

G. Insurance:

Student health insurance is required during the travel portion of the course. Refer to the resources section of this site for detailed information on health insurance.

H. Payment Schedule

Tacoma and Bothell students

Deposit: $250 due at time of application

Travel Fee: $2,000 (less $250 deposit)

Academic Course Fee: $1,700*

The total program fee is divided into the academic course fee and travel fee. After the initial $250 deposit (due at the time of application), remaining travel fee of $1,750 is paid to UW Tacoma according to the payment schedule below. The academic course fee will be charged to participants' UW student account and paid the same way as tuition. This includes a $100 non-refundable administrative fee charged by UW Tacoma International Programs. Travel payments may be made with a personal check, money order, certified or cashier's check payable to University of Washington, Tacoma (UWT). Write "Australia/New Zealand Summer 2006" in the memo line of the check.

	Amount	Due
Deposit	$250	Due at time of application
1st Payment	$900	August 1, 2005
2nd Payment	$850	September 1, 2005
Course Fee	$1,700	January 20, 2006*
Total	$3,700

Send checks to:
University of Washington, Tacoma
Cashier (MAT 354)
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

*Academic course fee of $1,700 (in lieu of tuition) is due January 20, 2006 in the amount equal to 15-credits of tuition will be charged to participants' UW student accounts, and are paid the same way as tuition. Academic course fee is subject to change due to various factors such as currency fluctuation and UW tuition increases.


Seattle campus students

Deposit: $250 due at the time of application

Concurrent Enrollment Fee: $200

Program fee: $3,450

	Amount	Due
Deposit	$250	Due at time of application
1st Payment	$2,000	August 1, 2005
2nd Payment	$1,450	September 1, 2005
IP&E Concurrent Enrollment Fee (charged to student account)	$200	December 1, 2005
Total	$3,900

Send checks to:
University of Washington, Tacoma
Cashier (MAT 354)
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

UW Seattle students with UW financial aid should make an appointment with Kyung Kim in the International Programs & Exchanges Office (IP&E by calling (206) 543-9272. UW Seattle students will "concurrently enroll" at the UW while they are on this program and should submit the following forms to the IP&E (453 Schmitz) by June 1, 2005.

VIII. Refund Conditions for Fees

1. If you are not accepted to the program, the entire $250 deposit will be refunded.
2. If you are accepted and withdraw in writing prior to August 1, 2005 the deposit will be refunded.
3. Thereafter, you will forfeit the deposit plus any non-recoverable payments already made or committed on behalf of the participant. No refunds will be given for unused accommodations, meals or other fees and services.

Notice of Withdrawal from the program MUST be made in writing to:

UWT International Programs
Australia/New Zealand Course
Box 358437
University of Washington, Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

IX. Changes in Costs or Scope of the Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

X. Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by August 1, 2005, the program will be cancelled and all recoverable monies paid in will be refunded.

XI. Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Support Services Office at least ten days in advance. An appointment can be made through the front desk of Student Affairs (253-692-4400), through Student Services (692-4501), or by phoning Lisa Tice at 692-4493 (voice) or 692-4413 (TTY), or by email (ltice@u.washington.edu).