Australia’s beaches, mountain ranges, and deserts are home to many - from hopping kangaroos to lazy koalas, from avid surfers to passionate hikers, and from global inhabitants to local Aussies and aborigines.
This program would be suitable for students that are ready to be abroad, but would still like some of the academic services that a U.S. college provides. It is a good choice for someone that is a world traveler OR has never left their hometown.
For more in-depth information about Studying Abroad at Western Sydney, click here. Read the ISEP Country Handbook to learn more about visa requirements, educational system, and culture.
Eligibility | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:
Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information). |
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Location | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From around each UWS campus, take public transport to the heart of the cosmopolitan city of Sydney, and immerse yourself in the world-famous Sydney Harbour, some amazing shopping, and restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world. To learn more about the visa process for this country, please visit the ISEP Country Handbook for Australia. |
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Academics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The University of Western Sydney (UWS) is a modern, progressive university with more than 100 study areas, over 2000 staff, and about 36,000 students from Australia and around the world. The UWS has six campuses spread across Greater Western Sydney in Bankstown, Blacktown / Nirimba, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Penrith, and Parramatta. While each campus offers a unique learning environment, they all share the same friendly, communal atmosphere that makes UWS a great place to study and make friends. Exchange and study abroad students at UWS can study at any campus depending on course selection. Unites (the equivalent of classes) are given credit points. These credit points are not equivalent to US credits and vary by institution. A normal course load for an Australian student is three to four units (classes) per semester. Many Australian schools provide an explanation of credits on the back for heir transcripts. To earn 4 lake Forest credits, students must take 40 credit points. To earn 3 Lake Forest credit points, students must take 30 credit points. The number of credits listed here is estimated, and GEO will work with you, your advisor, and the registrar to ensure you are earning enough credits to keep you on track for graduation. For more information regarding courses being offered, click here. SPECIAL ACADEMIC CONDITIONS
IMPORTANT: Not all fields of study are offered at all campuses. For students interested in TV and radio production, the Penrith campus offers state-of-the-art studios and is also the home base for production of the actual station “Television Sydney.” It is possible, but not recommended, to study units at both Penrith and Parramatta campus during one semester.
To search units to take at UWS, please go to the: UWS Online Handbook.
Academic Environment and Teaching Style Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm. Professors are often more formal than those in the United States. All courses/modules may have prerequisites. Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it. Be aware of these limitations. Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette. |
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Student Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ORIENTATION
Upon arrival, students participate in a comprehensive orientation program including a customized information session for study abroad and exchange students. ISEP students will enroll in courses, receive support in finding accommodation (ISEP Direct only), and have opportunities to meet other new students. Free bus services are provided to each orientation, as well as free lunch, gifts, and entertainment.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES The UWS has great university life across all campuses with regular activities and events run through student groups, clubs, and societies. A dynamic range of sporting, entertainment, and leisure activities are held across all campuses which are mostly free and provide students with a fantastic opportunity to interact with fellow Australian students. Students studying at UWS have access to many of Sydney’s attractions including 40 beaches, bush walks and camping in the Blue Mountains, the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. |
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Internship Opportunities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All ISEP participants have the option to undertake an unpaid internship at UWS. The internship is fully supervised by UWS academic staff and provides students with valuable industry experience in an organization based in Western Sydney, Australia’s third largest regional economy. Internships are a great way to make valuable contacts and gain a competitive edge in the job market. Internship applications include:
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Housing and Meals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ISEP Exchange students are housed in fully-furnished, self-catered apartments with single rooms in either UWS Residences (located on campus) or UWS Village (adjacent to campus). Each accommodation option has shared bathrooms, and laundry and cooking facilities. ISEP Exchange students receive a fortnightly meal stipend which can be used to prepare meals. |
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Financial Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange to University of Western Sydney includes orientation, on-site director, university fees, housing, and the equivalent of 19/meals per week. ISEP costs for Exchange are usually the most cost-effective, as it is intended to promote mobility of students around the world. Direct options are available for those students that prefer to attend a school with limited availability for Exchange, though costs may be different as they are set by the host school. However, the program fee may be different than that of Exchange, which tend to be less expensive to promote more exchange opportunities for all schools. Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 programs:
Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of March 2019. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change. You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution. Deposits to other programs, if required, are paid by the student to the host program, and will appear as a credit on your study abroad term bill from the College. Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices. Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here. |
Program Dates
Semester 2 (Fall): Early September to Late December
Semester 1 (Spring): Early January to Early May
All dates are tentative and may change. ISEP will alert all accepted students of final dates.
Please note that this site observes the Southern Hemisphere academic calendar. Lake Forest Spring Semester is referred to as Semester 1. Lake Forest Fall Semester is referred to as Semester 2.
Program Type
Exchange or Direct-Enroll
ISEP Exchange chance of placement for US students is generally Very Limited.
ISEP Direct-Enroll is not available to Lake Forest for the Campbelltown campus.
Languages of Instruction
English