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NOTE: Program complete
Deadline has passed
Travel: Dec. 4 – 18, 2018
Course: Dec. 6 – 18, 2018
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, attracting people wishing to see first-hand the gorgeous diversity of marine life. But unfortunately many of these magnificent marine creatures are in trouble, including the Green Sea Turtles, Flatback, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Some turtles are the victims of boat strikes, their bodies and shells damaged by the propellers. Others suffer from obstructions in their guts as a result of the ocean rubbish that the turtles eat, mistaking the garbage for food. SPC student will be able to come to the aid of sea turtles during their experience, addressing their medical problems, nursing them to health and when they are well, returning them once again to the ocean. In addition while in Australia, students will network with the local veterinary community, the local zoo and the students and faculty of the University of Queenslands Veterinary Technology department.
Think you can’t afford to study abroad? Scholarships and other ways to fund your study abroad program are available. Explore scholarship options now.
Available courses – Students must enroll in the course listed below. Note: Please talk to an advisor to ensure you have met all college enrollment requirements AND course prerequisites.
Professor: Tricia Gorham
Lead faculty contacts
After you submit the application online, we will review your application and e-mail you with details of scheduling your interview with the Australia program lead faculty, Tricia Gorham, (727)302-6733.
Other SPC Study Abroad programs
Learn more about other Study Abroad countries where SPC students have made their mark.
Student Travel Blog – For a taste of what it’s like to study abroad in Australia, or to follow our students as they travel, read posts from the Australia blog below.
This was a trip I will never forget. I enjoyed seeing how different Australia looks from anywhere I’ve been in Florida, as well as how different the people act. All I saw everywhere we went was huge mountains. They were everywhere and so beautiful! The majority of the people we came in contact with were very nice and … Continue reading Australia in Summary
Overall my study abroad program in Australia was a once in a lifetime experience. It was one thing to go visit this country, but getting the chance to work with the different animals and help volunteer for an amazing organization made this program exceptional. Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center goes above and beyond in their care of … Continue reading Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience at Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
This is the last post I will make regarding my Australia Study Abroad trip. Monday, May 23rd, I was scheduled to work in the veterinary hospital (I wish I could have gone; they were treating wildlife like koalas there), but the doctor I was supposed to work with got stuck out on Lizard Island after … Continue reading Last Days in Australia: Fitzroy Summit & Cairns
Saying goodbye to Australia was hard. I learned many new things while I was over there and saw things that I would have never seen otherwise. I visited many places and hiked up to the summit on Fitzroy Island on one of the last days that I was there. I learned that although we are … Continue reading Australia
Australia has been the best place by far that I have been to. The people there are great. It is so relaxed and everywhere you go there is something to do and has to offer you. I have made lasting friendships and would go back in a heartbeat. The best was being surrounded by people … Continue reading Australia….Best Adventure Yet
My time spent in Australia was amazing! The culture, the people, and the experiences that we had will be something that I never forget. The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Center provided an experience that I will probably never have again and the fact that they operate mainly based on volunteers and donations is impressive. You can … Continue reading Last Days in Welcoming, Wonderful Australia
My last few days here in Australia were unforgettable. I had the opportunity to work with other veterinary nurses at a local veterinary hospital. I was able to help them prep, monitor and recover patients in surgery. Also, taught them how to utilize some of there Abaxis blood analyzers. Many of there practices are very similar … Continue reading Unforgettable experiences in Australia
The Cairns Marine Center was my favorite part of the trip. It was so cool learning about what they do and why they do it. The collect from the reef but they have the strictest standards when it comes to it. They use non damaging nets on the reef to collect. They have strict packaging … Continue reading Cairns Marine Center
As we all know, it takes a certain kind of courage to travel the world on an airplane. Most Veterinary technicians are a fearless bunch; I have faced down fractious felines, belligerent clients and other pugnacious critters. Yet, traveling to a different country positively froze the blood in my veins. So personally “courage” was not … Continue reading Study Abroad: Australia
Once everyone made it to the hostel we had the opportunity to explore the city of Cairns and go on a couple excursions. The first weekend in Australia, we had the chartered a boat to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. Since the purpose of this trip is to work with sea turtles; my classmates … Continue reading A life changing experience in Australia