Location
  • Australia
    • Townsville
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Accounting Animal Science Anthropology Archaeology Australian Studies Biochemistry Biology Botany Business Chemistry Computer Science Ecology Economics Finance Geography Geology Health Sciences History Hospitality International Relations Kinesiology Marine Biology Natural Sciences Nursing Physics Political Science Psychology Social Sciences Sociology Sustainable Development Theater Wildlife Sciences +22
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Housing
Apartment
Language
English
Oct 06, 2023
Dec 01, 2023
26 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad with TEAN at Australia's James Cook University. The university offers a strong focus on biological and environmental studies, with local flora and fauna to be found right outside your door. Located in North Queensland, Townsville is famous for its rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and remote outback landscapes, along with a rich history and Aboriginal heritage!

Included in the program is a 5-day Orientation Excursion in Cairns where students visit the Great Barrier Reef, organized cultural activities throughout the semester, and an optional Spring Break excursion to Thailand or New Zealand (how amazing does that sound?!).

Discover Australia with TEAN as your guide - check out the TEAN website for more info.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Here at TEAN, we strive to be a leader in supporting students from all backgrounds to be able to travel and learn abroad. Our aim is to empower our students and help prepare them for a life-changing experience. Everyone's identity is unique to them and can be an integral aspect on where a person chooses to study or intern abroad. Our entire TEAN team is here to help you feel informed, comfortable, empowered and supported throughout every step of your journey. In addition, we have a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team that is ready to act as your resource! The DEI team is passionate about advocating against social injustices, racism, homophobia, xenophobia and all discriminatory social constructs. It is their priority, along with TEAN’s, to ensure students of all backgrounds have access to and are encouraged to travel, specifically through study abroad.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Here at TEAN, we strive to be a leader in supporting students from all backgrounds to be able to travel and learn abroad. Our aim is to empower our students and help prepare them for a life-changing experience. Everyone's identity is unique to them and can be an integral aspect on where a person chooses to study or intern abroad. Our entire TEAN team is here to help you feel informed, comfortable, empowered and supported throughout every step of your journey. In addition, we have a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team that is ready to act as your resource! The DEI team is passionate about advocating against social injustices, racism, homophobia, xenophobia and all discriminatory social constructs. It is their priority, along with TEAN’s, to ensure students of all backgrounds have access to and are encouraged to travel, specifically through study abroad.

Neurodivergent Support

TEAN is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our entire TEAN team is here to help you feel informed, comfortable, empowered and supported throughout every step of your journey. In addition, we have a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team that is ready to act as your resource! It is their priority, along with TEAN’s, to ensure students of all backgrounds have access to and are encouraged to travel, specifically through study abroad.

Accessibility Support

TEAN is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. Our entire TEAN team is here to help you feel informed, comfortable, empowered and supported throughout every step of your journey. In addition, we have a dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team that is ready to act as your resource! It is their priority, along with TEAN’s, to ensure students of all backgrounds have access to and are encouraged to travel, specifically through study abroad.

Impact

Sustainability

TEAN’s Choose Earth initiative is our way of building environmental and social responsibility into the ethos and outcomes of education abroad. At TEAN, we believe that studying abroad should include learning about – and finding solutions to – our most challenging societal problems, such as sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity, resource use, habitat preservation, gender inequality and social injustice in a globalized world.

Ethical Impact

To this end, TEAN is committed to providing experiential learning opportunities abroad that help build the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to become locally engaged, civically minded and globally responsible. We believe that studying abroad should include learning about – and finding solutions to – our most challenging societal problems, such as sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity, resource use, habitat preservation, gender inequality and social injustice in a globalized world.

Popular Programs

James Cook University

The James Cook University (JCU) Townsville campus is situated amongst the Northern Queensland rainforests and provides the perfect entry point to exploring the stunning Great Barrier Reef. With strong biological and environmental science curricula, the university offers students plenty of hands-on experience while being surrounded by a diverse array of natural flora and fauna on campus. Non-science majors will also find a comprehensive range of courses to meet their academic needs.

Scholarships

TEAN by WorldStrides Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship is offered for summer and semester programs and is intended for students with identities historically underserved in education abroad. This can include, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, LGBTQIA+, First-Generation College Students, U.S. Military Veterans, students with disabilities, and/or students at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Value
$2,500 - $5,000

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 10 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.4
  • Support 4.7
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 10 reviews
Default avatar
Alexandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad at James Cook University, Australia

Truly studying abroad was the best experience of my life. I know that's incredibly cheesy, but this was a life changing experience.
There is such personal growth that takes place, you are able to travel the world and meet some of the best, like-minded people. Studying abroad helped me in my overall career and research goals. I can not recommend studying abroad enough! Australia was the best country I've ever travelled to and I really loved explore the quaint Townsville city.
I study biology, specifically marine biology, and there is so much research happening in Australia constantly. There are tons of opportunities for research and working for professors in any field of study. The Great Barrier Reef is beyond any of your dreams and truly is a magical place.
Every town across Australia has so many different features and qualities that are all worth visiting! Travel as much as you can! I travelled the entire east coast of the country for a month after my semester abroad and I completely grew independently as an individual, learned communication skills, and travel skills, along with so much more.
Honestly, if I could go back to studying at James Cook University right now, I would!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to every opportunity! There are so many different opportunities to take advantage of in Australia, and I would tell everyone to take every chance you can. Travel to as many places you can while you are there. Meet people within your building, live like a local if you can, and truly complete everything you want to!
P.S. pack light - If you are anything like me you will be buying a lot of clothes and things once you arrive.
Pros
  • Amazing professors and research opportunities, tons of chances to adventure, explore, scuba dive, and hike.
  • As this is a small town, you are able to connect with the locals. You are able to travel across the whole town through public transportation, and the beach is always 20 minutes away.
  • Australia has some of the best array of wildlife and nature spots on the planet! There are many trails, nature based centers and changes for travel and adventure. From land to underwater, this country was the most beautiful place I've ever been to.
Cons
  • Communicating with the time change difference can sometimes be challenging.
  • Small town - This is not a big city within Australia so if you are going for a big city feel it's not in Townsville.
  • I was in all hard core classes for major, which I loved, but if you are looking for easy basic classes you will not find it at James Cook. Most classes at this university have a large amount of rigor, but truly are amazing for your resume and career.
17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michaela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Can I go back already?

Hands down best experience of my life. TEAN had everyone who went through the network meet in cairns where I met people from the states that will then be dispersed all over Australia! This made it SO easy to travel everywhere because you had a tourguide and a place to stay where ever you went! throughout the entire abroad experience TEAN made it so easy and so enjoyable constantly giving me opportunities to explore! I truly miss Australia and the people I met there everyday.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish they had more events planned for the entire TEAN program available. I met some awesome people that first week and did not get the opportunity to see them again
63 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Experience, Life-Changing, Eye-Opening

TEAN Abroad is an amazing program to study abroad with. They personally take you on an orientation before classes begin that helps you to better integrate into the culture and learn more about the country that you chose to stay. TEAN Abroad helped me decide to study marine biology in Australia and I will be returning to James Cook University for my Masters degree. No other program could make your experience abroad better! You will never want to leave Australia!

What would you improve about this program?
This program is already amazing, maybe more cultural events but there wouldn't be enough time in the semester for that!
61 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tricia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wicked Cool!

I feel like the most memorable part of this entire experience was the people that I met and the cultures that I learned about. I lived in college on campus and each night at dinner a group of people would collect at at table. There were people from Hungary, India, Mexico, Chia, US, and of course Australia. There was not a day that went by that someone was telling a story and someone else had never heard of whatever they were referencing. It was fascinating to hear about the different cultures. Along with learning about other cultures I learned a lot about my own. I am from Massachusetts, I have lived here for my entire life. In Massachusetts we have a different way of pronouncing things and we use some strange vocabulary. Up until my adventure abroad wherever I went there were other people from Mass. I remember one day in Australia walking to class with a few friends and we were talking about something, I don't remember exactly what, and I said; "oh that would be wicked cool!" The reaction I got you would have guessed I was speaking a made up language. I had no idea why they were giving me strange looks. They asked me to repeat what I said. Where I live we use the word wicked in the same way that you would use the word really, but I never noticed it before! I thought that was interesting. Even though the primary language was still english I learned a lot of phrases and words that other cultures used regularly. Then as we all became such good friends we started using each other's phrases such as hella, thrice, and how ya goin'? I definitely left with a new fascination for all other areas of the world and my own, which was wicked cool!

60 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tiare
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Take Me Back!

It'd always been my dream to go to Australia, and TEAN was able to make that dream a reality. Not only did they make traveling to Australia as stress free as possible, but they made my time abroad better than I ever could have imagined! I was more than prepared when I stepped off the plane, and never once looked back. If I could do the entire thing over I would, but I wouldn't change anything - I'd do it just to live those six months all over. Of course Australia was beyond beautiful, but attending James Cook University itself was its own adventure. Three of my classes went on field trips, two to the Great Barrier Reef and one to the Outback, and they were out of this world. I never could have expected that I would be measuring corals and catching lizards for credit! And on top of it all, I made amazing friends that I still keep in touch with, even though we're thousands of miles from each other. Absolutely one of the best experiences of my life.

57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Briana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

10,000 Miles Later

I had so many unique experiences while studying in Australia, but one of my favorites was when my friends and I randomly decided to skydive. I never really had a bucket list, but as I traveled around Australia I began to make one because I saw and heard of so many cool places to go and things to do. It all started with a weekend trip to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. The plan was to try to keep this trip as cheap as possible while still having a great time. A few days before we left we were talking with some of our Aussie friends about what we could do with our free days in Airlie Beach and one of them brought up sky diving. My friends and I who were going on the trip immediately agreed that we HAD to skydive there which threw our cheap weekend trip plan out the window. Interestingly enough it was harder to convince my parents I would be okay than it was to convince myself. The fear really hit me when I was on the bus ride to the airport because I had never done anything like this before. I was the first of my friends to jump out of the plane and I have to say it was terrifying for the first few seconds but absolutely amazing at the same time. I got to see the world (and one of the most beautiful countries) from a point of view most people never get! If I could, I would skydive on every trip I go on!

What would you improve about this program?
There is nothing I can think of changing about this program.
72 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michaela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Life Changing Semester

Studying at JCU was the best decision I have ever made. Townsville is a laid back city with beautiful beaches close to campus, which was perfect for me. Living on campus in George Roberts Hall made my experience so special because I really got to indulge in the culture and make some really amazing Australian friends that I still stay in touch with.

I met other Americans at JCU who did not go through any program to study abroad and they definitely did not have as great of an experience as me. TEAN was super helpful in every step of the process and were always there to answer any questions I had while abroad. My TEAN advisor, Alyssa, who was a grad student at JCU was always just a text message or email away to help me with anything I needed. TEAN took all the stress out of the study abroad experience so I could fully enjoy it without worry.

If I could restart my semester abroad I wouldn't change a thing. (Except maybe extending my stay!) TEAN truly made my time at James Cook University unforgettable!

60 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Amorrison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Koalas, Corals, and Cowboys: The Townsville TEAN Experience

The best decision I have made for myself so far was to go abroad, and I am very happy that I chose TEAN to facilitate this experience for me. From collecting paperwork and forms, to providing packing lists and group flight information, the logistics of my trip and tiime abroad were taken care of. Not only does TEAN get you there, but they also provide experiences around your host school so you can really see what your new home has to offer!
One of my favorite days was a trip to Magnetic Island, which is a 20 minute ferry ride away from Towsville. I saw beutiful beaches and wild koalas, fed and played with lorikeets, and fed some rock wallabies. This day trip was provided for by TEAN to introduce us to the wonderful "Maggie" which I ended up visiting multiple times during my 4 months in Townsville.
James Cook University also is a unique experience from most Australian study experiences because at JCU you live on-campus. The dorm style is similar to US dorms, except you live in single, rather than double rooms. I absolutely loved my time at JCU, and living on-campus allowed me to make friends with several locals, some of which have truly become lifelong friends.
Townsville is a rather small city, but there is plenty to do at the Strand (the local beach), Sunday's Flinders St. Markets, and having dinner at Cactus Jack's. Townsville is definitey a quiter area, however, so if you want a big city atmosphere, I would recommend going to a different university and taking a trip up to Cairns during a free week or long weekend.
The environmental classes on coral reefs and Australian fauna I was able to take were incredible, so I would definitely recommend taking an elective class on the Australian environment or indigenous culture while you are there.
I had an amazing time while I was abroad, and Australia is now a second home to me. TEAN definitely helped to make my experience abroad fantastic and the support the provide while you are there makes you feel safe and secure even though you are miles from home.

What would you improve about this program?
I loved my experience with TEAN, and although I do not have any negative feedback about the program, I would like to add that trying to get a job while abroad is very helpful due to the increased prices of goods in Australia.
58 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story

Questions & Answers