Information for term Open Campus Block
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenStay in Sydney the entire time or spend other blocks at our Global Institute locations in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Yucatán, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Santiago, and Shanghai.
Follow our Travels:
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Do your class reading
at the magnificent Bondi Beach
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Learn about social justice and delivery of services
in one of the most livable cities in the world
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Enjoy
the great Australian outdoors
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Sydneysiders, or residents of Sydney
5M+ -
hectares of parks and nature areas in Sydney
1M+ -
tons of fish sold daily at the Sydney Fish Market- the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere
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Location & Culture
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The Destination
Sydney’s origins trace back to an area inhabited by indigenous Australians for over 30,000 years, discovered by Europeans in the 1770’s and settled as a penal colony in 1788. With a population of around five million, Sydney is a cosmopolitan, open-minded, multicultural city. Nearly half of its residents speak a language other than English at home and 36% were born overseas. Sydney is consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live globally, and it is renowned for its social inclusion, diversity, and tolerance.

Study Tours
Embark on a two-night/three-day study tour included in your program. You could have the opportunity to kayak in the Sydney Harbor, hike the Blue Mountains or attend a performance at the infamous Sydney Opera House.

Excursions & Activities
Each block features a study tour and various activities may include:
- Go on a 3-day/2-night excursion to the nation’s capital, Canberra, to learn about the governance of Australia and witness the highs and the lows of Australian history at the Australian War Memorial and the Reconciliation Place
- Kayak with your “mates” through Sydney Harbor before a traditional Australian BBQ
- Hike the spectacular Blue Mountains with experienced and informed guides ready to share the environmental and cultural history of the spectacular landscape

Projects, Volunteer Opportunities, or Internships
- Volunteer Opportunities: Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Animal Shelter – work on projects that support the needs of stray dogs and cats in our campus neighborhood. Indigenous Education Center – volunteer for peer to peer tutoring. Women's Library Resource Center – work on projects that support the needs of the center. Code Club Sydney – help young learners from disadvantaged backgrounds learn basic computing skills.
- Internships: Internship opportunities are available as part of the study program in a variety of businesses and NGOs in both private and public organizations.
- Research: Pursue a research project of your own design incorporating independent and local fieldwork.
- Service-Learning: Combine course-based learning with practical, relevant project experience to meet a community-defined need.
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 in convenient locations to 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
You will have shared kitchen facilities to prepare meals or purchase food and drinks at local grocers. 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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Sydney Opera House
world famous Sydney landmark
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Bondi Beach
world-class spot to lie in the sand, play rugby, or surf
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C
CIEE Global Institute - Sydney
Located at 616 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Students enroll in one, two, or three six-week blocks, taking two courses during each block. This program gives students the flexibility to stay in Sydney the entire time or spend other blocks at our Global Institute locations in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Santiago, Shanghai, and Yucatán.
Students may select one of six academic tracks: Business; Communications, Journalism and New Media; Global and Community Health; International Relations and Political Science; Language, Literature and Culture; or STEM and Society.
The CIEE Global Institute is centrally located and convenient to public transportation for exploring the city. Courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty drawn from a variety of higher education institutions in Sydney.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Program Requirements
Students are required to enroll in two courses each block. Students attending the program for all three blocks in a semester may select one block in which to enroll in only one course.
Program Credit
- One block: 6 U.S semester/9 quarter credits
- Two blocks: 12 U.S. semester/18 quarter credits
- Three blocks: 15 U.S. semester/22.5 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
- CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
- CIEE Service-Learning Project: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 90 service hours
Academic Culture
Each course is a full semester in content, covered in a six-week block, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. Courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel away from Sydney when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends in between blocks.
Class Format
Courses taught at the CIEE Global Institute are typically for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and meet either two, three, or four times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
Language of Instruction
English
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- Courses are listed below by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
- Use the Course Comparison Tools to compare classes offered across all Open Campus programs for each block:
- Mobile students studying for three blocks who wish to complete a lab course (offered in London, Monteverde, and Yucatán) will be required to opt out of one course to remain within the program credit range.
Academic Projects
- Each Academic Project (Internship, Service-Learning and Directed Independent Research) placement will be designed based on the student’s project learning goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements. The process is highly individualized and goal oriented. Students enrolled in an Academic Project will receive additional academic support that informs and enhances the placement experience.
- Students applying for an Academic Project are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
- To qualify for participation, students must be in the location for at least one block in advance of the Academic Project to prepare for and secure placement. As a result, students participate in an Academic Project in either Block II or III.
Fall 2021 Courses and syllabi will be available here in January 2021.
Spring 2020 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenBusiness Track
Communications, Journalism, and New Media Track
Global and Community Health Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
Business Track
Communications, Journalism, and New Media Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
Business Track
Communications, Journalism, and New Media Track
Global and Community Health Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
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.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- CIEE Flight Voucher
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
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Fall Block I 2021 6 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Sep 25, 2021 | |
Fall Blocks I, II 2021 12 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Nov 6, 2021 | |
Fall Blocks I, II, III 2021 18 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Aug 16, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 | |
Fall Block II 2021 6 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | Nov 6, 2021 | |
Fall Blocks II, III 2021 12 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 | |
Fall Block III 2021 6 weeks | May 1, 2021 | Nov 8, 2021 | Dec 18, 2021 |
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.
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Nicole Latham
Director - Global Institute Sydney
Nicole hails from Sydney, where she held leadership positions in Australia’s education and health industries.
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.