Purdue Summer Program in Sydney

The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

All Summer in Sydney students will take a total of 6 credits. Students should check with their academic advisor as soon as possible regarding the best class for their plan of study.

Courses for Summer 2023

Time Block: A

COM 30300: Intercultural Communication
3 credits
- Instructor: Josh Boyd, Brian Lamb School of Communication
Intercultural Communication is designed to provide students with an immersion experience while studying the implications of interaction with diverse others in interpersonal, small group, and organizational contexts. The course will begin with an overview of the concepts and issues that frame the study of intercultural communication, such as culture as context, cultural values, and barriers to intercultural communication. Students will then analyze the relevance and practice of these concepts and issues by contrasting American perspectives with the surrounding international social, political, and business community. The course format will include mini-lectures, class discussion, group work, role playing, and video presentations. Pertinent examples from students' internship experiences will also be considered. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Time Block: B

IDIS 49000: Analyzing and Exploring the Global City-Sydney
3 credits
- Instructor: Australian Adjunct Instructor
This course is designed to encourage students to engage in a critical analysis of the development of modern cities, in particular Sydney. It will trace Sydney's development from a "colonial outpost" into the "thriving metropolis" it is today. The course will examine how the forces of colonization, migration, modernization and globalization have affected the city and its inhabitants. Students will gain insights into the changing dynamics and identities of its inhabitants and will also look at the forces which have shaped Sydney's relationship with the rest of the world. The course is organized thematically with each theme examining different aspects of the city. It begins with an introduction to the city, then a discussion of Sydney as a colonial city, moving into an analysis of its identities, impact of migration and finally its commerce, cityscape and urban future. The course ultimately intends to help students contextualize their travels and encounters in the city and will help them develop informed interpretations of Sydney while they are here. The course will mix classroom work with experiential learning and will include field trips to give students the opportunity to experience its varied urban geographies first hand and interact with these sites in an informed and analytical way. Additional course fee required on site (amount: 50 AUD).

The program fee includes a half-day guided tour of Sydney and a full-day guided tour to the Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Any student who chooses not to participate in the excursions will not receive any refund of the program fee. Additional inexpensive and subsidized excursions and cultural events will be available at the student's expense.

Students will live in central Sydney in fully furnished apartments with other Purdue program participants. Housing in Sydney is expensive; therefore there will be multiple students living in each apartment with two to three students per bedroom, depending on its size. 

The apartment layout could vary greatly, but all have a bathroom and living/dining/kitchen area. The kitchen will be equipped with basic cooking/eating utensils. Wireless access will be available for web searches and email.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Please note costs below were listed for a previous term, summer 2023 cost information coming soon!

The program costs are estimates. They are useful for planning purposes, but are subject to change due to currency exchange rate fluctuation and inflation. Students should regard these figures as approximate amounts. Compared to West Lafayette, Sydney is an expensive city and extensive travel on weekends will increase students' costs.

The program fee includes tuition & fees for the two classes (six credits), housing, excursions, emergency medical insurance, and a pass for local transportation. If, due to COVID-19, the program is unable to proceed on-site as planned, the classes will take place remotely, and the costs will be reduced by approximately 50% or more.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Summer 2021

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

• direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus; 
• consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process;
• complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline.  To insure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

• Search Google(tm)*
• Department of State Consular Information
  (You must find Australia in list)
• CDC Travel Information (You must find Australia in list)