Summer Sports Program Down Under

Summer 2010

5 weeks (late June to late July)

Sponsored by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, the College of Social Science, and the College of Education

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Michigan State University offers a unique educational opportunity for college students who consider themselves athletes. The program defines "college athlete" as anyone who currently participates on any sanctioned university intramural sports team, any varsity student-athlete (scholarship/walk-on) or any sports enthusiast who competed in sports at the high school level. The program offers a solid rigorous academic program together with high-level sports training and an opportunity for integration with local Australian students.

Students attend classes, study, train, and compete with Australians for five weeks in Australia. The program fosters international competition and cross-cultural understanding. This program is five weeks in length and is conducted in two different locations in Australia each offering different cultural experiences.

This year, the program offers training programs in the following sports:

• Basketball (women only)
• Crew
• Field Hockey (women only)
• Golf
• Rugby
• Running
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Surfing*
• Strength and Conditioning – Personal Training*

Other sports may be available upon request.

*Special requirements apply (all students are not eligible); contact the Office of Study Abroad for further details.

Where does it take place?

The program is based on the east coast of Australia utilizing two main locations –Sydney and Cairns – with additional excursions to other areas of the country.

Students will fly directly into Sydney where they will spend the first four weeks of the program. Students will be training and taking classes at the New South Wales Institute of Sport and at the University of Notre Dame campus. During this week, students will gain an insight into the elite coaching methods of the NSW Institute of Sport and will undergo a series of individual testing and training methods. The NSW Institute of Sport will help develop a training program for students to follow for the remainder of the program.

Skills/physical training will take place afternoons and/or evenings two to three times per week. These sessions will be under the guidance of a head coach and/or involve local Australian coaches. Students will also have ample time to undertake their own individual training and relax and explore the city. As students will be housed in downtown Sydney, all of the city’s attractions are at their doorstep. Sydney is the largest city (over four million people) in Australia and offers a pleasant environment bordered on one side by the ocean and a fantastic harbor, and in the other direction is the bush - sparsely populated miles of mountains and great open plains filled with kangaroos, koala bears, and unique flora and fauna. The city itself is a modern metropolis of skyscrapers, expansive parks and wonderful structures such as the Opera House. Sydney has a climate similar to that of Los Angeles.  A symphony at the world famous Sydney Opera House and a professional rugby game are two of the many included cultural activities. Students will train at a variety of venues including some facilities utilized for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Students will have access to a health club located by the apartments for individualized training.

Students will also undertake shorter excursions out of the city while in Sydney. One of the field trips taken is to the spectacular Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains excursion will allow students to visit this World Heritage listed wilderness. Large sandstone cliffs border majestic valleys filled with gum trees and waterfalls. Hiking and sightseeing along with lectures will allow students to truly experience the national park.

The final days of the program will be in the tropical north in Cairns – a bustling city made famous by its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests. Students will spend one day on a catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling and diving instruction will be provided to view the thousands of tropical fish and corals.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll in two courses for a minimum of six (6) credits and complete a range of assessment tasks and a final examination in each class. Students must take the “core course” and then may choose one additional elective course.  Field trips related to each course will also be offered.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

Sports Program Component

The sports component can be as intensive or relaxed as desired by the student. All students have the opportunity to work with local coaches and trainers on a weekly basis and design their own personal training schedule.

The first week of the program will establish training programs for all students and then group skills sessions (three per week) will be held throughout the remainder of the program. Students will have access to training facilities and advice throughout the program.

The NSW Institute of Sports will address the following topics during week one:

• Biomechanics
• Nutrition
• Injury Prevention Techniques
• Skills Acquisition
• Strength and Conditioning

Another aspect of the program is the ACE (Athlete Career and Education) program which was developed by the Australian Institute of Sports to assist athletes to more effectively achieve both their educational and vocational aspirations. The program helps college athletes develop a career plan that incorporates all aspects of their life. This program is not intended to radically alter the training programs athletes already have, but rather to complement existing approaches and to introduce them to the Australian Institute of Sports ACE program. Introductions to ACE will occur during week one.

Some opportunities for competition on weekends are with local Australian teams.

What are the requirements?

All academic majors, including students from other colleges and universities, are welcome to apply.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of acceptance. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Students must be college athletes (e.g., varsity athletes or club sport athletes) or be sports enthusiasts with a background in one of the sports being offered.  Students must also provide a personal statement that addresses their goals for the program and their relevant sports experience, as well as provide two letters of reference – one academic and one from a coach. Non-MSU students must submit a complete set of their most recent transcripts with their application.

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?

In Sydney, students will share a room in apartments located in the business district.  The apartments are three-bedroom units with full kitchens, bathrooms and laundry facilities. Building amenities include pool, exercise room, and 24-hour concierge. Extensive shopping and city attractions are within walking distance from the front door. Classes will be held on-site in University of Notre Dame managed classrooms.

During the last week of the program in Cairns, students will be housed in a downtown hostel.  The hostel property has a pool, beach volleyball court, and its very own restaurant and nightclub.  Many other restaurants and nightlife are within walking distance.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Sandy Tupper
Office of Study Abroad
Michigan State University
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4341

V. Dianne Ulibarri, Ph.D.
Department of Kinesiology
101 IM Sports Circle
Phone: (517) 355-4733

Alan Arbogast, Ph.D.
Department of Geography
Michigan State University
123 Geography Building
Phone: (517)-355-5262

PowerPoint presentation and Youtube video

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 eight to ten weeks is 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.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

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 or medications 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.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009 was $4,182 and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• some meals
• program-related ground transportation in Australia
• fees paid to Australia institutions and for use of training and sports facilities
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

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

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $3,700 (US09).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

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.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

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.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

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 deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer 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.

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?

Your initial application must include the following:

• Completed MSU Study Abroad Application (available online)
• Complete set of recent transcripts (non-MSU students only)
• A personal statement addressing goals for the program and relevant sports experience
• Two letters of reference – one academic and one from a coach*

*If applying online, these items cannot be submitted during the online process.  You will need to send these supplemental materials via campus mail to the Office of Study Abroad as soon as you’ve submitted your online application. (NOTE: Only MSU students can apply online at this time.)

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Applicants are responsible for obtaining and submitting all application materials together. Incomplete applications will not be processed.  

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 (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

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.