Information for term January in Sydney
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenTrade 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.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Live in one of the best cosmopolitan cities in the world
Enjoy everything a big city has to offer and learn about the Australian way of life.
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Immerse yourself in nature
Choose from endless options of beaches, national parks and natural attractions.
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Explore our art and culture
Get involved in Sydney's bustling art scene with live music, markets, food, art and much more!
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Beaches and national parks to choose from
100+ -
of plants and animals unique to Australia and found nowhere else in the world
80% -
residents in Sydney
5 M
Location & Culture
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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.

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
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Daily Life
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Housing
Students in Sydney will live across a variety of housing locations. Housing options are mostly twin rooms with some single and triple rooms. Students will share a kitchen and other facilities with others. Housing locations are all conveniently located near shops, cafes, and public transport within the city area and are within a commute of around 30 minutes to classes in Ultimo, Sydney.
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Meals
Meals are not included. Sydney has a vibrant food scene with fresh local fruits, vegetables, and meats readily available. You’ll find Australian food is influenced from all corners of the globe. Whether it’s a walk down Spice Alley, fish and chips on the beach, or a traditional Australian pub feed there is something for everyone’s tastes.
Sydney, Australia Where You'll Study
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A
Sydney Opera House
world-famous Sydney landmark
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B
Bondi Beach
world-famous beach
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C
CIEE Sydney
Sydney
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
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
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
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.
Program 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
Click to OpenCourse Information
January 2024 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenBusiness, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Social Sciences
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
Click to OpenDates & 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 |
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January 2024 | Nov 1, 2023 | Jan 2, 2024 | Jan 24, 2024 |
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.
What's Included
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Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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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.
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Christina Kim
Student Life Coordinator
Christina has over 10 years’ experience working in education, in the US, South Korea, Cambodia and Australia
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Hongbo Guo
Academic Manager
Hongbo has a PhD in labor and organization studies in 2022 and has more than 6 years' experience in teaching business courses on both postgraduate and undergraduate level.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.