The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia program in Tasmania offers undergraduate students an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Tasmania. Participants are fully integrated academically and socially with their Australian peers.

Academic Program

The program at Tasmania begins with a week-long orientation program that prepares students for the academic and cultural experience ahead. Students then enroll in regular courses offered by the university.

Academic credit earned at the University of Tasmania transfers to the University of Iowa. Study abroad students must enroll for a full-time load of courses while studying at Tasmania. A full-time load is typically 3 or 4 courses and is generally equivalent to 12 or 16 s.h. of credit at Iowa.

While planning to study abroad, students should browse through UTAS's course listings to see which classes are likely to be available during their term in Australia. Some courses may have pre-requisites, please discuss this with your study abroad advisor if you have questions.

• UTAS Courses and Units: http://courses.utas.edu.au/

Program Dates

The Iowa Regents Semester in Australia is offered both spring and fall semesters. Semesters at Australian universities generally run February-July and July-November. The University of Tasmania's academic calendar is available at http://www.utas.edu.au/keydates/.

For More Information

If you are ready to learn more, please call 319-335-0353 and ask the receptionist to schedule an appointment with study abroad advisor Sterling Bacher. Students should also discuss their study abroad plans with their academic advisor and other appropriate faculty.

The University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania enjoys the reputation nationally and internationally for teaching and research excellence. It offers Iowa students a broad array of courses in the arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, business, agricultural sciences, architecture, and engineering. Tasmania offers strong support services for international students, excellent recreation facilities, and dozens of student organizations from the Bushwalking Club and the Rugby Union to the Cinema Society and the Environmental Studies Club.

The University of Tasmania, established in 1890, is the fourth oldest university in Australia. It has two major campuses, one in Hobart (12,000 students) and one in Launceston (4,000 students). Tassie hosts approximately 1,000 international students from over 40 countries.

Hobart and Launceston

Tasmania, Australia's island state, offers a stunningly beautiful natural environment and a friendly ambience. The two major cities are Hobart and Launceston. About 40 percent of Tasmanians, nearly 200,000 people, live in and around the capital of Hobart in the south. Launceston, in the north, has a population of nearly 100,000.

Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The jagged mountain peaks and glacial lakes are products of past ice ages. The forests have 60 million year-old roots in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. One-fifth of the state is dedicated as a World Heritage Area, a vast reserve of temperate rainforest linking 16 national parks where visitors can see first-hand Tasmania's natural wonders. Tasmania is home to the world's tallest flowering plant (swamp gum) and the world's oldest tree (huon pine), not to mention the Tasmania devil (and a host of other curious creatures). From miles of unspoiled beaches to magnificent mountains, Tassie is a special place, and the wilderness is easily accessible to University of Tasmania students.

As far south as Iowa is north, Tasmania enjoys four distinct seasons. Tempered by the surrounding sea, the temperatures are rarely extreme. The climate is generally dry and fine, "about the equivalent of Northern California but without the fog."

Australia

Australia ranks as one of the best places to live in the world according to measurements of income, human development, healthcare and civil rights. The sixth-largest country in the world by land mass, its comparatively small population of approximately 23 million people is concentrated in the highly-urbanised east and southeast coast of the Australian continent.

Living Arrangements

Students may apply for a variety of housing options on campus or may live off campus. Board plans and costs vary. (Note: On-campus accommodation is not guaranteed). More information is available from your study abroad advisor, or at Tasmania's accommodation page.

Travel Arrangements

Students will receive instructions on making travel arrangements during a program-specific orientation session and will be able to arrange their own flights to Sydney. Upon arrival, ground transportation is available to take students to the program site.

Eligibility

To apply for the program, you must be a student at one of the Iowa Regents Universities - University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa or Iowa State University. Students must have at least sophomore standing at the time of application and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Costs

The program fee for Fall 2011 was $6,952 for UI students who are residents of the state of Iowa and $8,428 for non-residents. A modest increase is anticipated for future sessions. This program fee includes tuition, fees, CISI health insurance, and the Overseas Student Health Cover mandated for all international students studying abroad in Australia. It does not include room, board, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, or any personal expenses.

Please see the Fall 2011 Regents Semester in Australia: Tasmania cost sheet for more details about estimated expenses for this program.

Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa may be applied toward the program cost. In addition, eligible program participants are encouraged to apply for merit, need-based and Diversity Ambassador scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available at: http://international.uiowa.edu/study-abroad/funding/

For information on CISI health insurance, please visit this web site: http://international.uiowa.edu/study-abroad/travel-insurance-faq

How to Apply

If you would like to apply, you should first meet with study abroad advisor Sterling Bacher. Please call 319-335-0353 and ask the receptionist to schedule an appointment for you. Students should also discuss their plans with their academic advisor before applying for a study abroad program.

The program application is available here.

Application Deadline

The application deadlines are October 15 for the spring semester and March 15 for the fall semester. Late applications may be considered on a space-available basis.

After you submit your application, Study Abroad will provide information regarding confirmation materials and other preparations. Please contact program advisor Sterling Bacher if you have questions.

Confirmation Materials

Once you've been accepted to the program (after the application deadline) you'll find the forms you should complete and return to Study Abroad in order to confirm your place on the program here.

Please SUBMIT the following items to Study Abroad by the confirmation deadline:

• Confirmation of Participation Form

• Program Deposit ($200)

• Medical Self-Assessment Form

Please READ the following items and keep for your records:

• Withdrawal Schedule and Fees

• International Medical Insurance

• UI Financial Aid procedures

Pre-departure Materials

• List of Australia & New Zealand books and movies

• Australian academics handout

• Flags handout

• Vegemite article

• Bite Me! article

• UI Student Health Service Travel Clinic: http://studenthealth.uiowa.edu/services/international-travel

Orientation Information

All UI students will attend a general TIPS orientation for students studying abroad. Additional individualized meetings will address Tasmania-specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures.

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu