Academic Focus
This program is designed for students who want to gain valuable experience in the workplace while also earning academic credit. You will have the opportunity to complete a semester-long, project-based internship at a local organization or business in Sydney, gaining valuable skills for the global marketplace. Your internship will be complimented by courses taken at Macquarie University, a leading research university with a broad vision of internationalization. This program has the unique benefit of exposing you not only to the educational culture of Australia, but the business culture as well.
Prior to your arrival, a suitable internship will be investigated for you. Internship placements are not guaranteed and are confirmed upon arrival. Along with the host organization of your internship, you may decide to participate in either a 10 or 20 hour a week internship, which takes place over the course of 12 weeks. A 10 hour a week internship is typically worth 3 US credits and a 20 hour a week placement, 6 US credits. Assessment during this time will be through interviews, visits, reports and a major assignment. If your internship is not confirmed, you will enroll in an additional course(s) at Macquarie University.
In addition to your internship, you will take between one and three courses at Macquarie University. Most courses at Macquarie are worth either three or four credits, which equate to approximately 12 - 16 hours of study per unit per week, including class attendance, private study, library research, etc. The actual workload can vary from course to course and even week to week across the university. Courses offered for third, and final, year students can be worth four Macquarie credits.
The Australia higher education system does not translate in class contact hours to credits in the same way that the American system does. Typically, students taking 9 - 12 credits at Macquarie University will earn 15 – 16 credits within the US system per semester session. However, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how many credits will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
The number of hours and days of the week during which you will participate in your internship will be worked out with the host organization upon arrival. Due to the differences in the Australia higher education system, there is no standard for the number of days a week a university course may meet. Class meeting times vary across departments and subject areas. Expect the number of times you meet with your class to be different than what you are used to at your home institution.
Registration
While in Sydney, students will enroll in either a 3 or 6 credit internship and between 1 and 3 additional electives. Internship applications and supporting materials must be submitted prior to departure for Sydney. However, internships are not finalized until students arrive onsite and complete the interview process. All students must choose and submit their accompanying course selections to the CEA headquarter office prior to departure for Australia. This will allow you to be pre-approved by the departments and/or lecturers for entry into your chosen courses. We strongly encourage you to take care in choosing your courses as if you decide to make changes upon arrival, you must complete this approval process on your own Final course registration will take place during the week following Orientation. There are no required courses. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.
To learn more about course requirements for your particular session as well as information regarding your host institution, you may click on the appropriate links above.
