Study Abroad at James Cook University, Australia (Semester Program)

I am SO grateful to all the friends and professors that made my study abroad experience at JCU so incredible. I originally chose JCU for their marine biology courses since studying marine biology in a landlocked state is hard. I got incredible first hand experiences with marine life SCUBA diving there, I made new friends from all over the world, and I got to do field research with fun professors who really encouraged hands-on and fun learning! The memories I made while attending JCU like the social events, clubs, community events, hikes, and everything else will stay with me forever.

Studying abroad at JCU was the most wonderful and life-changing experiences, and I am beyond grateful for every moment that I was able to spend studying there. As an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major, JCU couldn’t be more perfect. The location of Townsville (on the Great Barrier Reef) makes classes such as Coral Reef Ecology possible, and I was able to attend field trips to reefs including those at Orpheus Island and understand the importance of reef preservation on a very first-hand level. James Cook also offers Biodiversity of Tropical Australia, which gave me the opportunity to learn about and see new systems that I might never get the opportunity to otherwise. JCU also provides so many club and internship opportunities- there is definitely something for everyone. The school also does a brilliant job of integrating and including the international students. They had an International day weekly where people would come to share parts of their culture and there was usually coffee and delicious food as well.I was also able to take advantage of the outstanding outdoor and wildlife opportunities in Townsville, as the school is within miles of the beach and several national parks. Its very hard to describe just how amazing the experience was in words, but If you are considering studying abroad at JCU, I say take the leap- I am forever grateful that I did.

Fellow student, do not let all the paperwork and endless forms that you need to fill out scare you away from studying abroad. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity for growth and will let you make friendships across the world that you will stay with you (if you choose to maintain them).

I had an amazing time studying at James Cook University. I met people from all over the world and shared special moments with them all. The professors and staff were great, I'm better for having met them. It took a lot of effort to make it happen but I'd do it 10x over to relive it. I dream about the day I can come back and be reunited with my friends. And maybe this time stay!

I loved my time at JCU! The campus is beautiful and the support of the international team was amazing. Being so close to magnetic island and the Great Barrier Reef was a dream. I wish I could go back and relive it all again! I would definitely recommend this university to anyone wanting to study abroad in Australia who does not want to be in a big city. Townsville is just big enough to have everything you need while also being connected to nature. If you are considering going I would highly recommend joining the international Facebook group!

JCU was a great experience for me! I made friends from all over the world, explored the nearby area, and had so much fun learning what it’s like to be a college student in another country. Luckily, I was also able to travel to different cities in Australia and discovered even more how beautiful of a country it was. The way college works in Australia was definitely an adjustment from how it is in America, but it was the experience of a lifetime and I’m so grateful I was given the chance to be a part of it.

This Program is AWESOME. It was one of the best experiences of my life. The classes are so engaging and the professors are passionate about their research and studies.
Campus life is a family type community and you really feel like home in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Not far from campus is Magnetic Island where you can explore and sightsee. It really is paradise at your fingertips.

I highly recommend this program, you won’t regret it! This program was such a rewarding and exciting experience that allowed me to grow and learn lessons that truly enhanced my future for the better. I’m so thankful and lucky to have had the opportunity to attend JCU.

I had an amazing time both studying and living on campus while attending JCU. The people at the university were very welcoming and made the transition easier on me. Also, as a marine biology major I was able to take advantage of some amazing course opportunities and dive club trips that I could not do anywhere else in the world. I was also fortunate enough to make friends not just from Australia but all over the world due to JCU's large study abroad program. I loved my time at JCU and have been looking to get back ever since!

Studying abroad at JCU was the best experience of my life not only academically but allowing me to meet people from all around the world. This experience has allowed me to meet people from all different backgrounds and cultures and has given me best friends from all around the world. This program has truly had such an impact on my life and I can’t wait to return and hopefully one day come back to get my masters ! I wish everyone could experience such an amazing program at least once in their life !