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Join us as we travel to the Land Down Under for 3 weeks in the field, gaining an understanding of the environmental, economic, political, and sociocultural characteristics and issues that shape space, place, and society in one of Australia’s most populated and environmentally threatened coastal regions. Focusing on the dynamics of coupled natural and human systems, students will explore and apply a wide range of field techniques to observe, document, and interpret different landscapes - while engaging with UW faculty, local experts, and community members.
Instructors: Maggie Bourque | Jeff Hamerlinck
DATES & CREDITS
Spring Semester Experience of Place
ENR 4965 / 5965 Experience of Place* (3 cr.)
Spring 2026: 2nd Block Online (A) (Mar. 23 - May 15)
ENR 4965 / 5965 Field Exp: QLD Place Studies (1 cr.)
Spring 2026: 2nd Block Online (A) (Mar. 23 - May 15)
Required pre-trip sessions, dates / times TBD
May / June travel to Queensland, Australia
Upcoming Programs 2026: May 20 - Jun. 12
*Experience of Place will fulfill requirements for ESS, ENR, ORTM, MS ENRS, Sustainability & Outdoor Leadership, Honors Program Global Perspectives, and requirements for English BA, MA, MFA, and PhD programs (contact Maggie with questions)
REQUIREMENTS & ADMISSION
Open to all UW students. Preference given to applicants enrolled in Haub School programs.
Pre-requisites none
Admission program admission is dependent upon application and possible interview
Travel Requirements passport valid for travel to the Australia + Australia Electronic Travel Authority Visa; additional requirements may apply
PROGRAM FEE
Includes lodging, in-country transportation, entrance fees, instruction, excursions, and some meals
Does Not Include roundtrip airfare, some meals, visa fees, UW Education Abroad fee (includes travel insurance), or UW tuition and fees for spring semester credits
Program Fee est. $4500/student; depends on number of participants
SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDING
Haub School Field & Global Scholarship (amounts vary)
Cheney Study-Abroad Faculty-Directed Program Grants (amounts vary, 3.0 GPA needed) students participating in faculty-directed programs are only eligible for this Cheney Grant
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
<< map place identity in the neighborhoods of Brisbane; learn from Traditional Owner guides on an indigenous-led tour of Minjerribah (North
Stradbroke Island)
<< cruise the Brisbane River and learn about the impacts of floods, historical land use, and population booms
on urban planning; explore parks and museums; taste international flavors at a global
food market
<< learn about the intersections of recreation, land conservation, and local economic
development with locals, NGOs, and land managers in ecologically crucial coastal areas with population
and tourism pressures
<< experience local agriculture and observe land use change in the Sunshine Coast hinterlands; browse the Eumundi market and experience local food, crafts, art, antiques, music,
and culture
<< consider complex cultural histories and relationships of people and place in the Glasshouse
Mountains; practice nature journaling in botanic gardens; hike through subtropical rainforests
and along coastal headlands
<< explore diverse ecoregions from rainforests to coastal dunes, coral cays and everglades; learn about species conservation and see unique fauna at the Australia Zoo; spend
time wildlife-watching, hoping for luck in spotting kangaroos, pademelons, rainbow
lorikeets, manta rays, humpback whales, and more elusive koala and platypus
<< snorkel the Great Barrier Reef; witness, reflect on, and process climate change impacts, loss, and resilience
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Participants should be prepared for long periods of sitting, extensive walking, moderate hiking, swimming (flotation device optional), and some rustic style accommodations. Participants should be prepared spend full days outdoors in changing weather conditions.
LEARN MORE
Join us for an info session:
Queensland Info Session
TBD Fall 2025
We are currently accpeting application for Summer 2026 travel.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Field & Global Program Coordinator
Melanie Matthews - melanie.matthews@uwyo.edu.