A FIELD COURSE IN

 

AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND

 

Tentative Dates: June 2 – June 16, 2010 (15 days)

$3,837 INCLUSIVE (plus tuition for 3 credits)

 

The Geography Department and the Office of Continuing Education at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta are pleased to announce a field course to Australia and New Zealand in June, 2010.  The field course trip will cover 15 days.  The planned dates for the trip are June 2nd  through June 16th 2010.  However, it is possible that the trip could begin as early as May 30th or as late as June 9th.  The tour corporation will make a final decision on the exact date of departure approximately 3 months before departure.  No matter which departure date is chosen, the trip will cover 15 days.  The course will be led by Dr. Kenneth Johnson and Dr. Tracy Allen; both from the Department of Geography at S.U.N.Y. – Oneonta.  (In the past, they have taken academic groups to: Britain, France, Ireland, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Greece, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain and Morocco.) This program is open to people of all backgrounds and ages.  Students may enroll on either a 3 credit or non-credit basis.  Non-students are also welcome.  Anyone not enrolled for college credit will be charged a non-credit assessment in lieu of tuition.

 

Course Description:  Geography 294 (cross-listed as International Studies 294) – Australia and New Zealand: Cultures and Environments. 3 credits.  A field study of the human and physical geography of Australia and New Zealand.  Topics to be covered include: cultural and historical geography, political geography, economic development, urban and regional planning, rural landscapes, physical geography, vegetation, climate, animals, topography and environmental conservation. Permission of the instructors is required.  No prior coursework needed.  Every student in this program must submit a physician’s statement that s/he is healthy enough to travel overseas and participate in this program.  Non-students do not have to supply a physician’s statement.

 

Itinerary: Note: This is a condensed version of the itinerary. For a full itinerary and more information see the professors.  A short color flyer promoting the course is available on the Geography Department homepage at SUNY Oneonta (http://www.oneonta.edu/academics/geography).  Days 1-2: Flight from New York City to New Zealand. “Lose” one day as we cross the International Dateline. Day 3: Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand.  Clear customs.  Then travel along the mighty Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves.  We will board a wooden boat which will take us deep into the underground caverns.  Then travel through the agricultural countryside to Rotorua home of the Maori people.  We will be treated to a Maori performance of song and dance and then a Hangi dinner at a traditional Maori feast.  Day 4: Rotorua attractions. Guided tour of the Whaka area to visit geothermal wonders such as geysers, craters, crystal springs of hot mineral water and bubbling pools of mud. Also, visit to the Maori Cultural Centre and a jade factory.  Finally, ride the Skyline Gondola ride into the mountains. Day 5: Visit the Agrodome for sheep-shearing demonstration, then travel to Auckland which with 1 million people is the largest city in Polynesia.  Guided sightseeing tour of Auckland by bus.  Day 6: Fly from New Zealand to Brisbane, Australia on the Sunshine Coast.  This coast is famous for having mile after mile of magnificent beaches and beautiful coastal views.  Day 7: While on the Sunshine Coast we will take a catamaran ship to travel to Fraser Island, an environmental paradise. Day 8: Environmental exploring on Fraser Island.  Day 9: Take catamaran back to the mainland and visit the Underwater World Oceanarium.  Tonight arrive in Surfer’s Paradise. Day 10: Surfers Paradise Rain Forest Excursion – Take a full-day tour of the Lamington and Mount Tamborine National Parks. Out-of-this-world vegetation, cascading waterfalls and breathtaking views make this an unforgettable trip into Australia’s largest preserved subtropical rain forest.  Feed exotic birds by hand and feast on a morning tea and Aussie barbeque lunch. You’ll also visit O’Reilly’s Guest House and take a “Tree Top Walk” above the rain forest floor. Day 11: Continue south on the Sunshine Coast to Cape Byron and Coff’s Harbor. Day 12: Travel south to Sydney, Australia’s largest (4 million people) and oldest city. Day 13: Various attractions in Sydney including guided bus sightseeing tour.  Also, visit the observation deck on top of Sydney Tower which is 1,063 feet tall.  Also, cruise of Sydney Harbor, visit a jade factory and Sydney Wildlife World.  Tour includes visit to the Sydney Opera House and the “Rocks,” the historic Old Town of Sydney.  Day 14: Free Time in Sydney!  We will help students plan activities for the day.  Day 15: Fly from Sydney to New York. “Gain” one day as we cross the International Dateline. Special Travel Requests: The tour company we are using will allow you to stay behind after day 15 to travel on your own and fly home at a later day.  These special arrangements must be made in writing to the tour company by February 10, 2010.  There is a modest service charge for this change.

 

Please note, participants are advised to budget $100 extra to spend on optional environmental excursions that are not covered by the tour pricing listed in this flyer.

           

EXPENSES

 

Tuition – Will be assessed based on tuition rates in effect at the time of the trip (rates below are as of 3/3/09):

  • Undergraduate in-state residents for three credits - $623.55.
  • Undergraduate out-of-state residents for three credits -$1,610.55
  • Non-credit Assessment – “not-for-credit” participants, only – 65% of Undergraduate in-state tuition.  Currently $403.65.  (Non-credit participants will not be required to do any academic assignments.)  Fee is waived for SUNY Oneonta employees.

 

Program Cost – This amount is to be paid directly to the tour corporation. 

  • Youth Rate (participants 22 years of age or younger at the date of the trip) $3,837. It includes round-trip airfare, private motor-coaches throughout the trip, all airport transfers, all airport departure taxes, ferry boats, security fees, lifetime tour agency membership; 12 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms, 4 dinners, all breakfasts, full-time resident Tour Director, 4 sightseeing tours led by licensed local guides, 10 visits to special attractions (such as the Sydney Harbor Cruise) and one walking tour.  Participants are grouped together with 3 or 4 students per room.  Adult Rate:  (participants 23 years or older at the date of the departure or who turn 23 during the trip) $4,352. This covers everything listed above; however, adults are grouped at 2 per room.

 

Health Insurance – All students (“for credit” and “not-for-credit”) who are traveling overseas must submit a completed SUNY Overseas Academic Program Student Health Information form prior to being issued a plane ticket.

  • Health Insurance/Repatriation/Medical Evacuation - $70.75.
  • Repatriation/Medical Evaluation only - $5.25 (proof of adequate health insurance coverage is required in order to purchase this option.)

 

Application Deadline:  To reserve a place in this program, you should complete and submit an application to Dr. Johnson and Dr. Allen as soon as possible.  Your application should be accompanied by a $95 check made payable to the travel agency.  When the professors admit you to the program, you will be asked to pay your travel charges directly to the tour agency.  You may obtain application forms and instructions from Dr. Kenneth Johnson, Department of Geography, 322 Milne Library, SUNY-Oneonta 13820.  Telephone (607) 436-3379 or contact Dr. Tracy Allen via e-mail at:  allenth@oneonta.edu. 

 

Payment Process:  After you pay your $95 fee to the tour company, the tour company will bill you for the balance with final payment due February 10, 2010.  However, alternatively, if you use a credit card or debit card, the tour company will bill your card in monthly installments with the final installment taken just 30 days before departure.

 

Academic Assignments: Please contact Dr. Johnson or Dr. Allen to find out the academic assignments that will be required for students who take this program for 3 credits.

 

Passport: A valid passport is required for travel to Australia and New Zealand.  If you do not have one, you should apply immediately!!  You can apply at many larger Post Offices.