University of Wisconsin - Stout

A Summer Study Abroad Experience in Lismore, Australia

Early Childhood Education Student Teaching

Estimated Cost: $7,125
Summer Dates: May - July, 2008
Summer Deadline: February 15, 2008
Number of Positions: 15
Updated: November 29, 2007

Index:

 

Program Description

Early Childhood Education students at UW-Stout have an opportunity to do their pre-school student teaching placement at Early Childhood Centers in Australia during the summer. Australia’s nursery schools are known for their excellence and innovative approaches to early childhood education.

The program begins with an orientation to the campus, region, and Australian educational system. Students will teach four days a week for five weeks in centers in or near Lismore, Australia. Students will live with host families during the program enabling them to be better acquainted with the Australian culture. Southern Cross University will provide one or more field trips so students have a chance to experience the mountains, rain forests and ocean beaches around Lismore.

Lismore, New South Wales

map of Australia Southern Cross University is located in the semi- tropical city of Lismore, (population: 50,000) New South Wales, about one hour by airplane from Sydney and Brisbane. From Lismore, students have easy access to Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly point. The coastline in the region is one of Australia’s best, offering long stretches of beaches for swimming and surfing. Although the program takes place during the Australian winter months, the climate is much like Florida with temperatures ranging from the 40’s and 50’s at night to the 70’s and 80’s during the day. The Gold Coast, Australia’s premier tourist spot for nightlife, casinos, surfing and theme parks, is located one hour north of Lismore. The Great Barrier Reef is several hours to the north. The region around Lismore is also noted for its world-renowned rain forests where students can enjoy bushwalking and mountain climbing.

Southern Cross University has about 6,000 full and part- time students including students from several different countries. It provides a full range of academic and recreational facilities for students including modern computing facilities, access to e-mail, sports facilities and residence halls. For more information on SCU check their website at www.scu.edu.au.

Courses

Students will be enrolled in course number: ECE-480-0S1 Student Teaching:

Pre-Kindergarten (8 credits) for summer session. If the Praxis II is not passed by time of participation, students will be enrolled in EDUC-305 Teaching Practicum for 2 credits. The School of Education will enroll the students into the appropriate course. In Australia, students will be met by the staff at Southern Cross University and spend an orientation day with experienced lecturers discussing the differences and similarities that exist between the Australian and US system of early childhood education. The objectives and expectations of the program will be outlined and assessment procedures discussed. Students will then be placed in selected childcare centers where they will complete their early childhood teaching requirements.

On some Fridays and on most weekends, excursions will be organized to Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and to Mount Warning, an extinct volcano in the region. These trips are designed to give students the opportunity to experience Australian flora, fauna, lifestyle and culture.

Students will be expected to meet the same educational objectives in Australia as they would in an American school setting. As in the US, the cooperating teacher and supervisor from Southern Cross will evaluate the students at the end of the placement. Based on this evaluation, students will receive a letter grade for the course at Stout.

Estimated Costs

Estimated cost includes tuition and fees, passport, visa, housing, health insurance, airfare and personal expenses.

Students will pay a program fee to UW-Stout to cover the cost of tuition, health insurance, student activity fees and housing at SCU. All other expenses are paid directly by students. Eligible students can use their financial aid to help pay these expenses. Costs are subject to change and can vary due to exchange rates and personal tastes.

Eligibility

This program is open to students in the Early Childhood Education program who have passed the PPST test and are admitted into the student teaching program.

Housing and Meals

Students will live with families in or near Lismore during the program. Families will provide room, board and limited transportation. The cost of the family stay is included in your program fee paid to UW-Stout.

Passport/Visa

Students will need to have a passport and the 147 Australian Visa (442 Occupational Trainee) to do student teaching in Australia. There is a $150 fee for the visa, two medical exams may possibly be required, and membership to WEAC is also needed. Students who do not have a US passport should apply by no later than November as your passport is needed to obtain your Australian visa.

Students travel together to Australia, but have the option of traveling independently at the end of the program in July. The Office of International Education will provide you with more information on travel and immigration requirements.

Application Procedures

A meeting will be arranged by OIE to review and receive the application materials. Completed forms are returned to OIE. A $100 nonrefundable application fee is paid to the Student Business Services Office located in the Administration Building at time of application. An airline deposit will also be needed early in the application process. Once accepted by UW-Stout, a $200 nonrefundable service fee will be required to hold a place in the program.

For More Information