Student Teaching in Australia

SUNY Potsdam's student teaching program in Australia is a thirteen-week program that includes:

A two-week summer program in which students take a course designed to prepare them for their experience in local schools.

Following the completion of the course, students will do a nine-week student teaching placement.*  

There is an optional extra two-week excursion to Australia's Great Barrier Reef and through Outback Queensland. During this trip, you will travel by bus with the other students on the program as you are led by your Australian Program Director.  You will have the chance to swim in the Great Barrier Reef, be charmed by a small town with a population of 45 people in the Outback as you spend the night in the town's main building which serves as the local post office/pub/hotel, as well as enjoy many beaches, animal and nature preserves, geographic wonders, and other scenic and highly authentic destinations along the way.

*This student teaching program meets the requirements mandated by the New York State Education Department as well as by the State University of New York.

Download the 2010 Brochures

Basic information

More details

Placement Sites:

2010 Student Teaching Program Dates

Saturday, June 12, 2010 to Saturday, September 11, 2010*

Depart the United States no later than June 10, 2010 (Note: it takes two days to fly from the US to Australia, so you must leave by June 10 to arrive by June 12.)

Arrive in Brisbane, Australia no later than June 12, 2010 and be prepared to meet the program director and group bus at 8:30 AM Australian time.

*Students may elect to stay on after the official end of the program but must be sure to note their exact return date on their visa when applying. 

Costs:

Student Budget 2010

Accommodation:

Students stay at Newport, Mooloolaba, in spacious well-appointed open plan 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, all with 2 baths, fully-equipped kitchen and laundry, with private balconies overlooking the beach and river.  Linens and towels are provided.  More information can be found at www.newportmooloolaba.com.au.

Requirements:

A minimum of a 2.5 GPA required; a higher GPA is recommended.

All applicants must be recommended by their academic advisor and/or major department head and be eligible for student teaching. All non-SUNY Cortland students must have home campus approval.

New: In addition to completing all components of the SUNY study abroad application, all applicants must also submit an official transcript from each college/university attended, two references (one reference must be from a college professor, the second reference must be from a professor/teacher/employer who can comment on your teaching experience or ability to interact with children), and the Supplemental Teacher Education Statement.

Submit all applications to the SUNY Potsdam Office of Field Experiences by December 1, 2009. No incomplete or late applications will be accepted. The Office of Field Experiences will forward accepted applications to SUNY Cortland.

A non-refundable $20 application fee must be included with the application.  Check or money order, made payable to SUNY Cortland, are both acceptable forms of payment.

A scholarship is available.  Contact the SUNY Potsdam Office of Field Experiences for more information at 315-267-3450.

Passport and Visa Information:

All studying in Australia must have a valid passport. Participating students will also have to apply for an Occupational Training Visa. The application forms and assistance in completing the forms will be provided by the Office of International Programs at SUNY Potsdam.  

Returned Student Testimonials: 

Megan Lawlor

If interested, please contact Christine Vrooman, vroomacm@potsdam.edu, Secretary, SUNY Potsdam Office of Field Experiences. 

For more information: AustraliaStudentTeaching@gmail.com

SUNY Cortland web site 

Other web sites of interest: