Predeparture Information: Sydney
Congratulations on your decision to study in Sydney! Your host institution is the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) running a study abroad program at Macquarie University. Macquarie has more than 24,000 students from over 100 countries and 1,500 staff members. It is home to six national research centers, in addition to more than 20 university and other research centers, and is known for innovative teaching. Located in the suburb of North Ryde, it is set on 135 acres of bush land, which includes a sculpture park, golf driving range, two hotels and many historical, scientific, and cultural museums.
This website is a supplement to the online orientation and information from both UW’s international office and CIEE. Refer to the websites of both offices for further information.
CIEE Contact Information
CIEE is based in Maine. If you have questions prior to departure that cannot be answered by CIEE’s website, call their Portland office. You will receive predeparture materials from CIEE that list contact information in Sydney.
CIEE website
CIEE
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (800)40 STUDY or (207)553-7600
Email: info@ciee.org
Applying to the Host University
Because you have been accepted by UW-Madison for the exchange program, you are accepted at CIEE. However, you must still submit registration forms and supporting materials to CIEE. The application instructions are found below and online. There is a lot for you to submit, so start right away! First get a login and set up your My CIEE account which will give you good information and will be regularly updated by CIEE and then fill in the on-line application form. Some forms must be printed and filled out to be submitted as hard copy. UW-Madison Business students do not pay the $30 application fee.
Submit:
1) Personal data form
2) Academic information form: CIEE requests your course selection. Consult the course website for course offerings. To determine what classes count as at UW, check the online course equivalency database. To view a hard copy of list with the UW courses written in it, consult the Sydney binder in 3121 Grainger. Courses selection will not be finalized until you arrive in Sydney.
3) Home school nomination form (Judy has a partially filled in copy she will sign for you)
4) Personal statement (follow guidelines on CIEE application)
5) Official copy of your transcript (obtain at ordertranscript.wisc.edu)
6) Two evaluations (use guidelines and forms on-line)
7) Six passport-sized photos (We recommend you get extra photos for use on various forms and IDs)
No other materials are required. UW-Madison Business students do not pay the $30 application fee. If you want to apply for a CIEE scholarship, check the details in the handbook.
The deadlines are April 1st (fall) and November 1st (spring), although you are encouraged to submit the forms as early as possible.
Once CIEE admits you, they will send you emails. You will need to print, sign and fax your Macquarie Offer of Acceptance. CIEE forwards your signed acceptance to Macquarie and they return your Confirmation of Enrollment form either to you or to CIEE. In which case, CIEE will send you the COE to include with your visa application. You should receive your COE about one month before your program begins. There will be another email including forms (accommodation, course selection and others). Fall participants can expect to receive the email in late April and spring participants can expect to receive the email in late October.
You are responsible for submitting all forms and supporting materials to CIEE on time! Be sure to retain a copy for your files.
Calendar
CIEE lists dates on their Sydney website. The CIEE program in Sydney is offered both semesters and consists of a three-day orientation, approximately 14 weeks of classes, one or two weeks of mid-semester break, a one-week study period, and a two-week final exam period. At Australian universities, the academic year runs from late February or early March through the end of November and comprises two main sessions. Session I, from late February/early March to early July, corresponds to the U.S. spring semester. Session II, from mid-July through November, corresponds to the U.S. fall semester. The academic year program consists of two consecutive semesters and may follow the U.S. calendar (Session II and Session I) or the Australian calendar (Session I and Session II).
Book your return flight after the last day of the exam period or book a ticket that carries only a small penalty for changing dates. Past participants recommend purchasing tickets at STA Travel for this purpose.
Visa
Be sure your passport is valid for six months after your expected departure from Australia. A visa is required of all U.S. citizens for the program. The application requires a letter of participation from UW, which is included in your acceptance packet. CIEE will provide visa instructions in their email and the necessary letters about admission, fees paid, and insurance. You will need the COE from Macquarie. Online visa applications typically are very quick, but in some cases may take up to two weeks. The Department of Immigration web site also has visa information, but it is a bit difficult to follow. One of the forms is a list of countries and their education assessment level. The U.S. level is 1 and you are in a Bachelor‘s program. If you do not have a U.S. passport, there may be other documents needed and you may be asked to take an English proficiency exam so start as soon as possible after receiving your COE. They do have a help desk at eVisa.Students.Helpdesk@immi.gov.au . Check out Frequently Asked Questions and the Visa Instructions on the CIEE website.
Payments
As this is an affiliated (non-exchange) program, the Bursar’s office will send you a tuition bill as usual, but it will be for $0. CIEE will bill you directly for their program fee. The $30 application fee listed in the CIEE handbook does not apply to UW-Madison students, nor does the “School of Record” fee. CIEE will bill you in two parts: The first is a confirmation fee, usually $300, and the second is the balance due.
UW-Madison’s International Programs will collect your payment for CISI insurance. Fall participants receive an invoice in their acceptance packets; payment is due 15 April. Spring participants receive an invoice in October; payment is due 15 November.
Academics
Macquarie’s course listings and syllabi can be found on their web site.
The International Programs office has had some courses equated. Check UW’s online course equivalency database to determine what courses will count as at UW. If a course has not been equated, obtain the syllabus from CIEE or Macquarie and send it mail, email or FAX to International Programs.
This program has an internship requirement for which you will receive 4 credits of IB 399. Students should sign up for the three point unit at 10 hours per week, not the six point/20 hours option.
You will indicate the courses you plan to take on the course selection form, included in the first email. When requesting your UW advisor's approval for CIEE, please bring your course form with preliminary choices, and an extra copy with their UW equivalents and the degree requirements fulfilled. Once you arrive in Sydney, CIEE will confirm your courses.
Academics in Sydney are rigorous. It is reported that Australian students in the upper level courses at Macquarie are much better prepared and the level of work is more advanced than at UW-Madison. Classes may be in a format similar to those at UW, with assessment based on essays, project reports, midterms, tutorial/seminar participation and performance, and practical and final exams. Or, your entire grade may rest on a final project or final long essay exam, with very little required reading or homework. As a result, you may feel as though classes are easy. Do not be deceived. The Australian educational system is student-centered, requiring self-motivation and independent learning from students. American students need to be prepared to adapt to this learning style and realize they need to take initiative in classes that do not provide continuous assessment throughout the semester. You are expected to keep up with the reading; lectures are given with the assumption that you have read the proper materials. Discipline yourself to study on a regular basis so you are not left with a huge amount of work at the end of the semester. Past participants who have followed that plan have done very poorly in their classes—some have even failed!
Australian universities generally employ the following six-point grading system: High Distinction (HD) 85–100%; Distinction (D) 75–84%; Credit (C) 65–74%; Pass (P) 50–64%; Pass Terminating or Pass Conceded (PT/PC) 45–49%; and Fail (F) 0–44%. Grades will be submitted by CIEE at their own conversion scale. UW’s International Programs has established a grade and credit equivalency scale between CIEE and UW.
Campus
This radical, bold experiment in Australian higher education, now 40 years old, is located on a beautiful campus in the suburb of North Ryde. You will find art and culture at every turn. Join a sporting club, or other student group to get the real flavor of Macquarie. The University is approximately 45 minutes from the city center and can be reached either by train or bus. Frequent bus service runs through the campus itself and gives access to all areas of the city.
Housing
Housing is included in the program fee. Students live in CIEE-arranged private or shared rooms in townhouses or apartments. Students may not locate private accommodation outside of CIEE-arranged housing on this program. Meals are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student.
Health Insurance
CIEE does not require that you show proof of insurance as it is included in their fee. You will still have your UW CISI for medical emergencies and evacuation.
Internet
Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops as you will have access to the internet and email. Be sure you have equipment for international re-charging.
Safety
For information from the U.S. State Department, refer to http://travel.state.gov. We recommend that you register after your arrival with the U.S. Department of State online. This allows you to record information about your trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.
Banking
Past participants recommend using credit cards and an ATM card from home for daily life, and having traveler’s cheques for vacation travel. They do not recommend opening a bank account in Sydney, as it is easy to access money from home. Be sure to notify your bank and credit card companies that you will be overseas.
Life in Sydney
There will be a mandatory Orientation program to help you learn to get around on campus and in Australia. Refer to student experiences from past participants for an idea about life in Sydney with CIEE. A highlight of the semester is an excursion to the south coast nature park and beaches.
Additional Information
For general information about preparing to study abroad, visit the Pre-departure Resources website.