Australia’s first private university, Bond University offers an academic calendar similar to Monmouth’s, along with the same priority given to student educational and cultural support. Students are fully immersed in local culture through a variety of courses that provide opportunities to research Indigenous ecological systems, focus on storytelling and photography through the history of local Aboriginal surfing communities, or gain a hands-on approach to entrepreneurship. The cultural and academic opportunities are unparalleled in Australia!
The Monmouth in Australia Signature Program Includes:
Before the start of the program, students experience a comprehensive five-day Cultural Immersion Program.
- Airport pick-up (Cairns Airport)
- Welcome to Australia Ceremony led by a member of the local Aboriginal community (transportation included)
- Australia 101: culture, academic differences, health, and safety
- Snorkel or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef–a World Heritage site
- Learn about environmental issues and ocean life from a marine biologist
- Visit wildlife habitat: feed kangaroos, pet koalas, marvel at crocs.
- Explore the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree Rainforest–a Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
- Farewell dinner featuring authentic Australian cuisine
- Group travel with a Bond University advisor at the conclusion of the Cultural Immersion Program to begin your study abroad program (flight is separate)
Explore What Bond University Has to Offer:
Ranked No. 1 for learner engagement, Bond University offers small class sizes taught by world-class scholars, with Australia’s lowest student-professor ratio of 11:1. Experiential learning takes students into local communities, introducing you to the surfing and Indigenous Aboriginal cultures, as well as the country’s distinctive native wildlife and natural environments that define the Australian experience, such as:
- Study Abroad Transformer Bootcamp program: start your own business and learn the secrets to startup success in a fast-paced interactive environment!
- Gold Coast Surf, Culture, and Storytelling (COMN 11-115): visit coastal Aboriginal sites and communities and meet with world surfing champions to tell the stories of the Gold Coast’s surfing culture and heritage.
- Island Class: Environmental Field Analysis and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (SDEM12-204): spend one week on a nearby island to conduct environmental research.
Student Housing
Students live on Bond University’s campus in residence halls, which feature a double room with a single bed, bedside table, bookshelf, study desk and chair, wardrobe, and ensuite bathroom facilities. Accommodations are fully air-conditioned and include weekly bed linen service, cover sheets, one pillow and pillowcase, and blanket. All rooms have Wi-Fi and computer internet access.
Laundry: Shared laundry facilities with automatic machines and dryers are conveniently located near all rooms. Bed linens are serviced weekly.
Common Rooms: Include a dining table, couch, and TV. All residents have access to a common room and can have visitors until curfew.
Kitchenette and Dining Options: Each kitchenette is in the common room area, and includes a refrigerator, kettle, microwave, sandwich press, and sink. There are eight on-campus dining/cafe options to purchase food using a dining plan.
Accommodation Security: All on-campus student housing is secure. Access to residence buildings and corridors require a student ID card, and each bedroom is equipped with a lock to ensure privacy. Gender-specific corridors are available only in Buildings 11 and 12, where males and females live separately and do not share rooms or bathroom facilities. All other on-campus housing buildings feature mixed-gender corridors.
Student Life
The program includes weekly events and check-ins to help you acclimate to your new home and academic expectations while discovering the local culture, from campus events to music festivals.
Learn to Surf: Learn from experts like Cheyne Horan, a former professional surfer with 14 Championship Tour events, including the inaugural OP Pro in Huntington Beach (1982). After the lesson, you’ll head to Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), where locals will introduce you to SLSC traditions and explain their importance to Australian life.
Rugby League Game: Experience this professional Australian sport in all its glory. Catch a Gold Coast Professional Rugby League game and cheer on the local club, the Titans.
Coffee Breaks: Catch up with your resident director over coffee and cake (or a warm caramel-infused doughnut) at various times during the semester.
Optional Excursions: Students can participate in extra group excursions with trips to Fiji or New Zealand post-semester, along with several weekend excursions offered throughout the semester.
