Program Overview
Human health and environmental sustainability are inextricably interwoven with each other, and also with the cultural practices and understandings in which they are embedded. The ways in which we communicate about health — from public health campaigns about smoking and alcohol use, to climate change actions or to birthing rituals conducted by indigenous healers — likewise interact with culture and environment. Australia’s Sydney and Far Northeast Queensland offer ideal laboratories for comparing and contrasting cultures (notably Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, and western) and environments (Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, and Outback) to understand the relation between sustainability and public health.
We begin the program with a few days in Sydney, considered one of the world’s best cities to live and play, taking classes and local field trips with UGA faculty and Australian experts, and visiting iconic places such as the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. From Sydney we travel to Far Northeast Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, where we explore Western approaches to health from cultural, economic, and environmental perspectives. We then travel to the rainforest and to the Outback to investigate Aboriginal perspectives to sustaining healthy communities and environments.
In addition to exploring national parks and cultural centers, we visit several Aboriginal communities and spend most of our time in the field. Activities include immersing ourselves in the marine environment of the Great Barrier Reef (to understand the effects of climate change and pollution on the coral reef system and to better understand climate change as a public health issue), experiencing the cultural and natural wonders of Cape Tribulation and the spectacular sunrise and sunset colors of the Outback, as well as traversing the urban center of the north, Cairns and metropolis of the world’s favorite city to visit, Sydney.
The program is open to all students from UGA and from other universities and colleges (non-UGA students pay in-state tuition), and no prior knowledge is assumed. An optional (3 credits) add-on 8-day program in Fiji (Ecotourism and Sustainability) in early June is available immediately prior to the start of this program for students who would like to do both Fiji and Australia.
Program Itinerary
Click on the link below to learn more about the program itinerary
Summer Australia
Credits
People, Planet and Profit FANR (ANTH/ECOL/GEOG/INTL 4271/6271) 6 credits (FANR 4271W is available as a substitute 3-credit course and meets Writing Certificate requirements. Contact Discover Abroad for more information.)
* 4271/6271 is cross-listed with ANTH (Anthropology), ECOL (Ecology), FANR (Forestry and Natural Resources), GEOG (Geography), and INTL (International Affairs). (Note: INTL 4271H replaces INTL6271.) Please contact your advisor to see which of our cross-listed courses will best fit into your schedule. The 4000 level courses are for undergraduate students and 6000 level courses are for graduates and honors students.
Costs
Program cost includes all accommodations, field excursions, cultural events, insurance, in-country ground transportation, and many meals. Tuition (HOPE applies and out-of-state or non-UGA students pay in-state tuition) and airfare TBA are additional. (Students who are participating in both the Fiji and Australia programs will need to contact the Discover Abroad office for flight options.) We also strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance for these tickets.
Out-of-state students will receive an out-of-state tuition waiver (i.e. tuition for participation will be charged at the in-state level) for study abroad courses.
Download the Estimated Costs for a more detailed breakdown. The cost estimate for adding Fiji to the Summer Australia program can be downloaded here.
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Testimonials
“You will have 100 times more fun than you think you will and you will learn 100 times more than you think you will!” (Summer Australia, 2026)
“100% worth the flight and money. Had the best time of my life with an amazing group of people.” (Summer Australia, 2026)
“Don’t question it- do it! This trip is the adventure of a lifetime. It takes such a large country like Australia and gives you the time and opportunity to see many different areas. There will be countless adventures to look back on.” (Summer Australia, 2025)
“There are so many things I have learned from this program, but I think the most important lesson I will take away is how important it is to truly strive to protect the Earth and ground beneath our feet. This is our home, and we need to love and respect it more!” (Summer Australia, 2025)
“I learned to make new relationships and be positive in uncomfortable situations” (Summer Australia, 2023)
“The most important lesson I will take away from this program is to do what makes you happy in your career. This trip has inspired me for future travel and experiences” (Summer Australia, 2023)
“The Great Barrier Reef was my favorite part. Being able to experience that place is incredible. Also, I loved the farm stay portion of the trip, so cool!” William Constantine Jones (Summer Australia, 2019)
“This program exceeded my expectations by finding a balance between learning about history, sociology, ecology, and health and integrating those fields of study.” Jonathan Mcclain Shelnutt (Summer Australia, 2018)
“My trip to Australia was one of the most rewarding experiences that I’ve had since I came to college, and even before that. I recommend it to anyone thinking about traveling there because I definitely got more out of my trip by having classwork than I would have if I had just taken a vacation there. It was a great way to be submerged in the culture and give meaning to the trip, and I picture life in a different and better way now.”
Abigail Marie Gill (Summer Australia, 2017)
“Most amazing trip I have ever been on! It was worth every penny, I learned so much about myself as well as Australian culture, health, and history of aboriginals.” (Summer Australia, 2016)
“Through this program, we had the opportunity to visit all parts of Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback to large cities such as Sydney; we also had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of disciplines, such as Aboriginal culture, public health, and environmental science. Having these varieties made me feel like I was really able to see all parts of Australia from different points of view, and going on this program was one of the best experiences of my life.”
(Summer Australia, 2016)