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Press Releases | |
March 30, 2004
Another Distinct Travel Opportunity Offered by Southampton College
Australia's Ecological Diversity is Choice Location for Environmental Studies; Applications Being Accepted for Spring 2005Contact:
Patricia Conway
631-287-8313Southampton, NY - Southampton College of Long Island University offers an Environmental Studies in Australia program that provides a unique opportunity to study for a semester in the Byron Bay area of New South Wales. Students earn 15 social science credits for the five-course program. Visiting students from other colleges are welcome to participate and are usually able to transfer the credits to their home institution.
Students live in Byron Bay, a small South Pacific beach town located in the northern, subtropical region of New South Wales, an area rich in ecological diversity and unique because of the alternative lifestyles of the local population. From this home base students visit rain forests, the Great Barrier Reef, the New England Tableland region and the western plains/outback zone.
Australian Environmental Issues, Sustainable Systems, Australian Alternative Agriculture, Natural Environment of Australia and Special Topics in Environmental Studies are the five courses offered. Students spend time both in the classroom and in the field studying a subtropical organic garden, attending workshops on permaculture-related topics and biodynamic farming, hiking, camping, visiting national parks, participating in group field trips and working on individual research projects.
Professor Ralph H. Herbert, the leader of the program, allows time for students to find "their own Australia." "I typically will see students for several hours each weekday, but the rest of the time is theirs to use for studying, surfing, swimming and personal trips," he said.
Dr. Herbert's areas of specialization include small-scale organic agriculture, renewable energy systems, appropriate technology and architecture, environmental sociology and the Australian environment. Guest lecturers who address environmental issues round out this innovative educational experience.
Kristina Watts, a former student of the program spoke about how the trip changed her life. "It opened my eyes to new ways of doing things, new attitudes about life. The knowledge and experience I have gained there will stay with me forever."
For more information on the program, contact Patricia Dzintarnieks, Director of Off-Campus Programs, (631) 287-8317 or email at pdzintar@southampton.liu.edu.
Nationally recognized for its Marine Science and Environmental programs, Southampton College, located on the eastern end of Long Island, NY, is surrounded by a natural marine laboratory. In the past two decades the College has produced 37 Fulbright Scholars, two Udall Scholars, a Truman Scholar and a Marshall Scholar.