Australia Familiarization Tour

1
Australia Familiarization Tour

• sponsored by
• Australian Education International and
• the international branch of the Australian
  Department of Education, Science and Training
• with the collaboration of
• and

2
Purpose and Content

• To familiarize North American higher education
  administrators with the Australian education
  system, its universities, and its culture.
• To build relationships between Australia and
  North America, and in particular, to address
• Degree recognition,
• Credit transfer.

3
When? Where?

• Two weeks in late September, early October.
• In a state or states in Australia. This years
  tour was in the Northern Territory and in
  Queensland.

4
Who Should Apply?

• Participation is open to
• Directors/deans of international offices,
• registrars,
• study abroad officers,
• international student advisers,
• international admissions officers and
• others with a responsibility for post-secondary
  level programs and a demonstrated interest in
  further collaboration with Australia.
• No more than one application per institution
  should be submitted.

5
Costs

• Program participants will be required to meet the
  cost of a round trip airfare from the U.S. to
  Australia.
• The Australian Government, Australian state
  education groups, and participating institutions
  will meet accommodation, internal travel and some
  meals while participating in the seminar.

6
The Application Timeline

• The on-line application is typically due in June.
• A panel comprising AEI, AACRAO and NAFSA
  officials will form the selection committee.
  Applicants will be informed of the selection
  panel's decision approximately six weeks prior to
  departure.

7
The Application Form

• It asks about
• Your current professional responsibilities (500
  words or fewer)
• Your work experience related to Australia (500
  words or fewer)
• Your objectives for participating in the seminar
  (500 words or fewer)
• Your institutions exchange agreements
• It also requires
• Your CV
• A letter of recommendation from your immediate
  supervisor.

8
Interview with Michelle Lewis, Director,
International Programs, Carroll College

• Q What did you do on the Tour? What was a
  "typical" day like on the Tour?
• A We had very extensive site visits on campus
  and met with faculty and administrators from
  various departments. The universities often
  hosted lunch for us. The days were full because
  they often included area tours as well, or bus or
  plane travel between sites.

9
Interview, contd.

• Q Do you have any special memories from the Tour
  (personal or professional)?
• A The overall beauty of Queensland. It was
  October so the weather was ideal. The jacaranda
  trees in Brisy (Brisbane) were in full bloom.
  Also, ending the trip with a visit to the Great
  Barrier Reef was unforgettable.

10
Interview, contd.

• Q What was, for you, the most memorable or
  valuable thing about the Tour?
• A Seeing so many universities in Queensland. We
  really got to see so many types of institutions,
  so when students ask me about studying in
  Australia (Queensland in particular), I am able
  to give much better advice in terms of size,
  climate and academic highlights.

11
Interview, contd.

• Q What effect has the Tour had on your career?
  Did things change for you professionally as a
  result of having attended the Tour? In what way?
• A I had hoped to form some direct exchange
  agreements, but that did not happen. However, I
  have a much better understanding of the places we
  visited. Also, I traveled with two women with
  whom I have done several NAFSA presentations. It
  helps to meet colleagues from different
  institutions because you learn a lot about what
  other schools are doing. This has helped in our
  NAFSA presentations gaining acceptance because of
  the different types of institutions we represent.

12
Interview, contd.

• Q Do you do or see things differently since
  having gone on this Tour? In your job, in your
  personal life, in your world-view, in other
  ways/things?
• A I learned much more about the aboriginal
  peoples of Australia-their art, music and other
  cultural aspects of their lives. That to me was
  very interesting.
• Q Did you establish exchanges directly as a
  result of the Tour? Which ones?
• A No, but I really tried! I was basically told
  sorry, but no thanks.

13
Interview, contd.

• Q Did you find new career opportunities as a
  result of your increased knowledge of the
  Australian educational system?
• A Yes, in terms of the grade conversions. It is
  very hard for Americans to do well in their
  system. I think there is a lot of grade inflation
  in the US, so the Americans really feel it in an
  educational system like Australia where it's hard
  to get to top grades. The idea of tutorials is
  new for Americans as well so I am better able to
  explain these differences in the system to
  prospective study abroad students thinking about
  Australia.

14
Interview, contd.

• Q Advice to future applicants?
• A The trip is filled with lots of fun and work
  and long days, but it's worth it. Anyone who is
  working with credentials evaluations, study
  abroad or international student admissions can
  gain a lot from this opportunity.
• Q Anything else?
• A It's a great country, with amazing people. The
  AEI office did an amazing job, and I am thankful
  to have been chosen to participate.