Australia

The best way to really know Australia, beyond kangaroos, koalas, "g'day," and "the land down under," is to experience it first-hand. Participating in a YFU exchange to Australia is a dinky-di (genuine) experience that tourists can't replicate.

Your host family will welcome you with open arms because Australians tend to be friendly, warm, and relaxed. Australian teenagers watch videos, frequent movies, attend rock concerts, and go to discos. They also join sporting clubs for fun or more serious competition.

Academic Programs

Secondary school, for 12 to 18 year olds, offers a wide range of subjects. Apart from core subjects such as English, math, and science, there are approximately 1,000 different courses available depending on where you attend school. Whether you're interested in photography, art, history, or environmental studies, you'll have plenty of choices.

Australian schools generally require a uniform. You'll find that Australian standards of education are quite high and poor academic performance is not tolerated. Most students will spend six hours a day at school from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

All programs in Australia include optional cultural activities and excursions which are organized by volunteers and vary depending on where in Australia you are placed. Most schools also organize their own educational excursions related to the school curriculum.

Semester Program
July departure semester students have the option of participating on the YFU Outback Adventure through central and eastern Australia for an additional fee of 2,500 Australian Dollars. January departure semester students have the option of participating on the YFU Kiwi Encounter in New Zealand for an additional fee of approximately 1,750 Australian Dollars plus airfare to and from Australia. Emergency medical insurance is included in the program tuition for all Semester students to Australia.

Three-Month Program
This exciting new educational exchange offers you the opportunity to live with an Aussie host family and attend an Aussie school for a shorter-term than the traditional semester program. Departures are available in January, July, and September to fit with your school schedule. Arrival and pre-departure orientations are included for all three-month programs. September departure students have the option of participating on the YFU Outback Adventure through central and eastern Australia for an additional fee of 2,500 Australian Dollars.

Summer Program

Discover Australia
Discover Australia is your chance to see many wonderful and exciting aspects of Australia, from its cosmopolitan cities to its magnificent coastline and outback country atmosphere. During your stay, you will see that Australia offers great diversity in both natural beauty and culture through such experiences as day and overnight trips throughout the State of Victoria. You will stay with an Australian family, relaxing with your host family and getting to know "Aussies" from the inside out.

If you are one of the students who choose to come on this unforgettable six- week adventure to Australia, you will enjoy a true Aussie experience. You will be based in Melbourne, Victoria and have an opportunity to visit many of the highlights of the State. These include attending local sporting functions such as an Aussie Rules A.F.L. Football Match with 60,000 to 95,000 other screaming fans. If beaches or the outback are your scene, you'll get the taste of some of the best outback rural and coastline scenery in the world. How about Australia's unique wildlife - or shopping, shopping, shopping! Melbourne is Australia's shopping capital. There are plenty of reasons you can get lost in the atmosphere that makes Australia so unique!

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Australia, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites, including Yahoo! Australia
• Embassy of Australia in Washington, DC web site
• Government Services for Australians web site
• Australian Culture and Recreation web site
• Australian Tourist Commission web site

"The trip YFU organized was one of the best things I ever did. I saw more of Australia than Australians do." - Lisa Marie Stronawski

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:45 AM