Sydney
Sydney, Australia

January in Sydney

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Credit

3 Per session semester hours

4.5 Per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 Per session semester hours

4.5 Per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Trade your winter season back home for an unforgettable adventure in Sydney during Australia's summer season! January in Australia is the perfect time of year to enjoy the beach and surf with friends or a bike ride across Syndey Harbour Bridge. You can even take a day trip and explore Australia's famous Blue Mountains.  

During your time abroad, you will attend classes at CIEE Sydney, taught by highly experienced faculty who are experts in their fields. Activities, excursions, and co-curricular activities are included in your program and are designed to increase your intercultural understanding of Australia, providing you with opportunities to learn while exploring some of the city's most famous attractions. 

Unique Experiences

Live in one of the best cosmopolitan cities in the world

enjoying everything a big city has to offer and learn about the Australian way of life

Immerse yourself in nature

choosing from endless options of beaches, national parks and natural attractions

\

Explore our art and culture

getting involved in Sydney's bustling art scene with live music, markets, food, art and much more!

100+

Beaches and national parks to choose from

80%

of plants and animals unique to Australia and found nowhere else in the world

5 M

residents in Sydney

Experience
  • sydney study abroad january students by opera house
  • Sydney
  • Sydney

The Destination

Australia is the sixth biggest country in the world and Sydney is its business hub and launching point for exchanging goods, services, and ideas with its Asian neighbors. Sydney is one of the Southern Hemisphere's leading centers for startups, trade, finance, tech, and media production. With a population of around five million, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in globally because of its social inclusion, diversity, tolerance, and healthy lifestyle.  

Sydney is an incredibly diverse city, and home to people from all over the world. Nearly half of its residents speak a language other than English at home and 36% were born overseas. The first inhabitants, the Aboriginals, are the world's oldest civilization, and this heritage has helped shape modern Australia. This one-of-a-kind mix of people and cultures led to a shared spirit and attitude that is the Australian way of life. Aussies are known for laid-back, "no-worries" attitudes, being open-hearted and open-minded, and believing that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities, what they call locally as having a "fair go".  

Sydney is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world; more than 80% of Australia's plants and animals are unique to our Island(s) and are found nowhere else in the world. There is also a bubbling art scene. The city government supports young and fun artistic pursuits, including Sydney's Art and About, Vivid Sydney, Sydney Movie Festival, regular food, art, crafts and music events, and the list goes on!   

The CIEE Sydney Center is strategically located in the heart of Sydney's Downtown (CBD) and minutes away from Central Station, with local, intercity, and interstate transport at your doorstep.  

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Sydney.

Sydney

Excursions & Activities

Every CIEE program is complemented with co-curricular activities and excursions designed to enhance academic and intercultural learning. In Sydney students may: 

  • Hike the spectacular Blue Mountains with experienced and informed guides ready to share the environmental and cultural history of the spectacular landscape.  
  • Learn about the world's oldest civilization during one of our Aboriginal cultural tours.   
  • Enjoy a day at the famous Manly beach and join a guided historical Q-station (Quarantine Station) tour in Sydney Harbour National Park and learn about the first Australian visitors' quarantine history and experience.  
  • Visit Australia's capital - Canberra. Learn about Australia's parliamentary government while seeing world-class attractions and amazing architecture.  
  • Go on a hike at one of Sydney's National Parks - previous visits included: Wolli Creek Park, La Perouse Park, and Sydney Harbour National Park.  
  • Visit one of our many museums. Previous visits included: Australian Museum, Art Gallery of NSW, and Contemporary Art Museum.    
  • Learn about Sydney's beach lifestyle while enjoying an Aussie BBQ (Barbie). Previous visits included: Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Shelly Beach.  
  • Meet our local animals, including kangaroos and koalas, during one of our zoo visits. Previous visits included: Taronga Zoo, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, and Sydney Zoo.  

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Escape the U.S. Winter for J-term Down Under

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Housing
Academics

Academics

During the January in Sydney program, all students take a 3-credit course whose in-class work is augmented by co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.

CIEE Sydney is located in the city center, with easy access to public transportation and some of the best sites Sydney has to offer. 

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

  • This program involves engaging in moderate- to high-intensity physical activities, such as hiking, sporting participation and snorkeling. 
  • Ability to comfortably swim in open water, as programs are often centered around the ocean. 

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

All students take one 3-credit course. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits 

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

The program consists of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE classes are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. 

Class Format

Courses taught at the CIEE Center are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday – Friday. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas. 

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program January 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date
Program January 2024 3 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $4,250

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $2,710**

Housing = $1,160

Insurance = $80

Total Fees = $4,250

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $281

International Airfare = $1,600††

Local Transportation = $150

Books & Supplies = $10

Personal expenses = $150†††

Total Costs = $2,191

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Thais Oso

Center Director

Thais has over 18 years of education industry experience which include running an American study abroad program in Sydney and working in the exchange programs at one of Australia’s top universities.

Dr. Lesley Turnbull

Academic Director

Dr. Turnbull is the Academic Director of CIEE Sydney and is responsible for all aspects of academics.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application 
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

3

Contact Us 
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info