Short courses are generally 14-25 days in duration and can be offered during U.S. and Canadian break periods that typically occur during January or May-August each year. Short courses are designed in conjunction with a home university and faculty member and the on-site services of AustraLearn in Australia and New Zealand. The standard 4 week course covers one academic area with lectures, site visits and field trips throughout the trip. Lectures are offered by either (or both) the home or host university faculty. Accommodations, meals, and travel is scheduled by the on-site center to allow for smooth flow and movement of the student group.

Custom courses allow for the greatest “marriage” between the faculty traveling with the group, the home university who will dictate the credit for the course, and the hosting program provider where flexibility is standard practice. Over the long term, custom courses impact student learning in a greater fashion through tailored lectures, site visits and field trips all focused on the development of one academic program concept.

With a custom course you can: 

• Develop the academic content in consultation with the faculty who will teach it. 
   
• Determine the course credit for your students and those outside your university
  
• Offer professional development throughout a department by utilizing faculty as course leaders
  
• Set the program dates and duration
  
• Request the places and events you want your tour to see
  
• Specify the type of housing and meal plan suited to your students
  
• Decide the way you want to administer the Program with or without assistance from the U.S. office of AustraLearn.

Faculty help the institution further its international educational goals through short course programs and can enhance their own curriculum development through cross-cultural learning overseas. The institution gains further international exposure and allows global awareness and faculty development to flourish. Students see international awareness at work within the university walls thereby drawing them closer to the institution and its mission. Students continue to develop personally while abroad and can clarify career aspirations through hands-on experiences.

For reasons of academic progress and/or limitation of non-major type credits, a student may not be able to undertake a semester-long program. In addition, shorter term programs can cost less than a semester option and may appeal to a wider range of students who desire to delve deeper into one specific academic area while abroad and who may have a particular interest to travel with a group.

Arranging for a custom designed short course takes planning both in North America and abroad. AustraLearn ensures that this process is achievable for any/all faculty no matter if they have led a group abroad before by doing the following: 

1.  Initial phone consultation with both the interested faculty person (if designated) and the International Office at your Univeristy.
   
2.  SCSF – The Short Course Survey Form is filled out by the home university in detail and returned to the  Australian Center of AustraLearn who will develop a sample itinerary and program model. 
   
3.  Through consultation directly between the Australian Center and the home university, modifications are    made to the itinerary to further develop interests and maintain a budget. 
   
4.  We help with student recruitment, admissions, travel, visas, insurance, and faculty training.
   
5.  The home university has the choice of either:
   A. Recruiting for students at their home campus.
   
   B. Recruiting for students through AustraLearn's Nationwide University Network.

Program-related arrangements for all custom courses through the Australian office

• Faculty chosen for their interest and expertise in the subject area
  
• Detailed itinerary and syllabus developed in cooperation with your office 
  
• Establish a program within a reasonable budget
  
• Secure all reservations including airfare for your group
  
• Disbursement of all payments to suppliers for your program
  
• Safety and security measures and on-call support in country
  

All short-term travel/study programs include accommodation suited to your needs or requirements, transportation from the USA or Canada to the point of entry in Australia or New Zealand and all transportation throughout the scheduled program. Special events, field trips, guides, and entrance fees are part of each program. Meals can be included or partially included depending on the type of program you desire.

•  Promotion and recruitment of other students
  
•  Assistance with recruitment of students at your own campus
  
•  Toll-free enrollment assistance
  
• Fee collection with direct payments from students
  
• Advice and provision of adequate insurance
  
• Pre-departure orientation meeting
  
• Visa and airline ticket assistance

For more information and to start the process of designing a custom course for your university and students, please call our office at: 1-800-980-0033 between 8-5pm Monday - Friday or write to cbanks@australearn.org