Not running in 2007-2008

Fall Semester or Spring Semester

Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program is open to students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources who would like to study agricultural and/or environmental subjects at the premier agricultural university in Australia, the University of New England at Armidale (UNE).

The university is located in a beautiful region of New South Wales, Australia, equidistant between Sydney and Brisbane and two hours from the beautiful coast of eastern Australia. It is close to many World Heritage National Parks and the scenic Waterfall Way of Australia.

Armidale is a city of approximately 25,000 and most of the activities are centered on the university. Approximately 4,000 students study on campus and another 15,000 study by distance education.

What can I study?

Students can select from courses in any of the four colleges at UNE: Arts; Economics, Business and Law; Health and Professional Studies; Science.

Within the College of Science, the School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management and the School of Rural Science and Agricultural offer a full array of courses, which should appeal to many majors in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources including:

• Agribusiness
• Agronomy
• Animal Science
• Environmental Management
• Forest Management
• Land Use Planning
• Parks Management
• Water Resources

More information about the UNE.

More information on specific classes in the UNE College of Science.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit the student webpage.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Reigistrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students only.

All students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission. Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program and meet with Rhonda Crackel prior to applying.

Applicants' participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

The University of New England at Armidale has an outstanding dormitory system that strives to involve international students in many ongoing activities on campus. The university has an International Office that will assist students in all aspects of university life, including housing and course enrollment.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Rhonda Crackel
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
121 Agriculture Hall
Phone: (517) 353-8873

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of five to six weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

Australia requires a student visa. Students can obtain their visa by applying directly to the Australian consulate with instructions from the Office of Study Abroad. During the first pre-departure orientation, students will be informed of all requirements needed to obtain this visa.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program's itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in spring 2006 was $4,585 and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• Australian tuition and fees (for three courses)
• Australian health insurance
• accident and sickness insurance

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• airfare
• accommodations
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees ($308)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

NOTE: All CANR majors will receive a scholarship from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. See Rhonda Crackel for details.

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program's departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU's Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resource also offers its students special study abroad scholarships. Check with Rhonda Crackel for further details.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page. .

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for fall semester participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.