Location
  • Australia
Term
Fall, Short Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Agriculture Animal Science Australian Studies Biology Botany Conservation and Preservation Cultural Studies Earth Sciences Ecology Environmental Studies Field Studies Geography Global Studies Humanities Indigenous Cultures Life Sciences Māori Studies Marine Biology Natural Sciences Oceanography Public Policy Social Sciences Statistics Sustainable Development Tourism Wildlife Sciences +16

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Associates Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
Program fees include tuition, housing, daily meals, field excursions, entrance fees, cultural activities, advising services, airport transfers, 24/7 mental health and well-being support, official transcript processing and more – check out our website. Need-based scholarships available.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Meals Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

No application fee!

What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Aug 03, 2023
Apr 14, 2019
38 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

SFS offers some of the best (and most adventurous!) hands-on study abroad programs. Students are immersed in the rich biodiversity of the rainforest and learn about ecological resilience. Explore the multitude of environments that exist in Northern Queensland and the complex relationships between them – rainforests to dry forests, savannahs to wetlands, and mangroves to coral reefs.

The SFS Australia campus lies at the end of a narrow, winding road in the middle of a lush rainforest. The 153-acre property is surrounded by protected World Heritage forests and you can see incredible wildlife from the front steps of your cabin or on the network of campus trails. The world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree and the iconic Great Barrier Reef, are nearby.

Click on Visit Site above to learn more about studying abroad in Australia with SFS!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Earn academic credit: 16 credits for semester programs and 4-8 credits for summer programs. Conduct a 4-credit research project during the semester program.
  • Develop core skills including GIS & GPS, species ID & population monitoring, forest survey methods, animal behavior observation, citizen science protocols, research presentation, research design, implementation & presentation, data collection & analysis.
  • Journey to the ancient forests at Daintree National Park, a biodiversity hotspot and, at over 110 million years old, possibly the oldest rainforest in the world.
  • Travel to the Great Barrier Reef to learn about the biological links between rainforest and reef ecosystems. (Semesters and Summer I only)
  • Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef while learning about its ecology and socio-environmental challenges.

Popular Programs

Walking through the forest
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Lovebird in a tree
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sea turtle in the Great Barrier Reef

Spend your summer observing the strange and fascinating mammals and wildlife that live in Australia's ancient rainforests and dry savannas, all while considering the policies and actions needed to preserve these precious ecosystems.
1 class | 4 credits | One life-changing study abroad experience.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 9 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.35
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
Default avatar
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rainforest Research: A Wildly Good Time

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What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
On the last night, we had an Aussie BBQ, and Kangaroo and Crocodile were served. They were pretty ok!
191 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Vincent
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing program with wonderful staff

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What would you improve about this program?
A little more academic organizing in terms of assignments and exams would be helpful.
199 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Mindalena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rainforest Studies in Queensland, AU with School for Field Studies

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What would you improve about this program?
- the program should be clearer on how it is oriented towards science majors/minors
-the program could be less scheduled to allow students more time studying (a big component of the program)
-class assignments could be spaced out a little more, rather than having them all due at once
200 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dirty Biologists

The SFS program was one of the most influential experiences of my life. It provided me with valuable knowledge about the research process. I learned what it truly means to conduct your own research project, and the definition of a dirty Biologist. The classes were all experiential learning, therefore the students had abundant hands one learning opportunities. The field trips gave me an immersive experience of the country. I would highly recommend SFS to anyone interested in the program.

197 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jackie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Australia

Overall my experience was awesome. I saw a ton of wildlife and beautiful landscapes, which was what I was most excited about. The main disappointment of the trip was the lack of free time to explore the country and travel on our own. Because we were so remote all of our excursions were pre-planned group activities with little room for booking our own tours on the weekend or going in to town after classes. With that said, the site that we stayed at was amazing and it was kind of nice to be so isolated from civilization because I became very close with my fellow students and my surroundings. We also got to travel around a bit for class and got a free weekend in Cairns to shop and see the Great Barrier reef (my absolute favorite part of the trip!) I saw tons of animals including platypus, echidna, pademelons, pythons, crazy birds and ocean life. I loved the Australian people and would love to go back.

What would you improve about this program?
More free time to travel around the area or just get away from the field station. More field trips out of the field station.
169 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
wglenny
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Time of my life!

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189 people found this review helpful.
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wannabeaussie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Time of my life in the rainforest!

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188 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
LovesAustralia2
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program for those willing to live with others and no afraid of nature

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182 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers