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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.
There was so much to do here in Australia! My free time when I wasn’t working was filled with shopping, eating, and exploring Cairns and the surrounding rainforests. The first weekend here we went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and we took the Cape Tribulation tour. Snorkeling was quite the adventure. The reef is … Continue reading Australia…The memories will last a lifetime!
While here in Australia, the opportunities that this study abroad has allowed me to experience have been quite amazing. I’ve been able to work with people who are passionate about the animals they work with and they’ve shared what they get to do everyday with me. During my time here I’ve worked at the Sea … Continue reading My Australia Study Abroad Experience
Today we went to the Cairns Marine Center and discovered all of the sea treasures that they have there…it was amazing! The range of sea life that they have there is substantial and the fact that they care for it each and every day is impressive. The day that we went, a new shipment was … Continue reading Sea Treasures at Cairns Marine Center
Australia has been the best experience of my life thus far. My most memorable time in Australia was when I had the pleasure of meeting my new best friends Lola the Koala and Abbey and Sully the Wallaby’s. Ever since I landed in Australia all I talked about was being able to hold a Koala, … Continue reading Adventures in Australia with Koalas and Wallabys
This was an eventful couple of days, starting with our visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure, a zoo and crocodile farm. While there we got to feed fruit to a cassowary, which wasn’t as vicious as you might think, but then again, all the cassowaries were in separate cages be cause they are territorial and would … Continue reading Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure & Kuranda
Today we worked with the injured sea turtles on the in land rehabilitation center. Some had missing flippers, wounds on the shell, or infections on their skin. We began the day similar as to what we did on Fitzroy Island. We prepped the food, fed the turtles, and then cleaned out their tank. One turtle … Continue reading Helping sea turtles in Australia
Tuesday May 17th was our first day on Fritzroy Island at the turtle rehabilitation center. A lot of the protocols and procedures that were preformed in the mainland hospital were the same as the island location. Angie a 90-95 year old green turtle will be a forever occupant that the rehabilitation center because she is … Continue reading Holding a Koala & Petting a Kangaroo in #Australia
Today our whole group was able to pay a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Farm which was maybe 45 minutes to an hour away from our hostel. I must say that the crocodile farm was one of my favorite places that I was able to experience on this trip. At first, I was skeptical only because … Continue reading Learning about the animals of Australia
Working with the sea turtles on Fitzroy Island was an amazing experience for me. I love all 7 species of sea turtles so volunteering for the Cairns Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center was awesome. We cleaned the filters as well as the tanks. We prepared the turtles meals along with feeding each one. Then we went … Continue reading More Adventures in Australia
Ever since landing the culture in Cairns has been not shocking but different. They drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. I was surprised by this. The food has also been different as in it seems that the food is healthier as … Continue reading Adventures in Australia