The Guru has been on an exchange before, and he just returned from volunteering overseas. He had a BLAST...but doesn't care much for traveling in the Cargo Area of the plane.10 Reasons for gaining overseas experience
You'll get to experience a different culture, as well as gain an international perspective in your area of study.
You'll get to view life from a different perspective.
You'll have the opportunity to make academic and career contacts outside of Australia
The university’s overseas partners can offer courses, facilities and research opportunities that you might not have access to here.
You'll become more eligible for employment, both at home and overseas.
You can improve your foreign language skills.
You'll make loads of new friends from all around the world.
You'll get to be more independent.
You'll learn more about yourself.
You'll have a whole lot of FUN!
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If you are adventurous, keen to see something of the world, would like to experience another culture and continue your studies at the same time, you can take part in the University's highly successful Student Exchange Program.
The idea behind the Program is to give you an opportunity to study overseas and to have that period of study credited to your degree program back in Newcastle.
It means you could study in Norway or Germany for just a semester, or you could take the plunge and opt for a year at a university in France or the USA. They're just examples, of course.
There are 18 countries you could choose from, and you may even be eligible for a Student Exchange Scholarship to help defray the cost of airfares, accommodation and other living expenses. One cost you won't have, however, will be fees for whatever course you choose to study. You simply pay HECS charges as normal and if you are eligible for Austudy then it will continue to be paid while you are overseas.
Needless to say, our University has reciprocal agreements with overseas universities enabling many international students to study at Newcastle under similar arrangements. It not only gives them an opportunity of finding out about Australia first hand but our campuses are all the more vibrant for having them here.
The Study Abroad and Exchange Office can be reached on 4921 7061, or overseas@newcastle.edu.au. More information is on the university website, just go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/exchange/
Want to know what other people say who have been there, done that? Click here to read a few brief testimonials from students.
Taking a year off: volunteer overseas
The peak body for Non Government Overseas Aid Agencies is the Australian Council for International Development. If you are in doubt about the bona fides of any organisation please check that the organisation is a member of the Council. Their contact number is 02 6285 1816 and their website is www.acfid.asn.au.
*Some things from Graduate Opportunities (http://www.graduateopportunities.com/) to prepare for your overseas experience:
Mentally Prepared
Most overseas volunteers have days when they wonder what they ar doing and miss home comforts. Before committing to overseas volunteering you should ask yourself: Why am I doing this? How will I manage the bad days? What do I hope to contribute?
Culture Shock
Now matter how prepared you are for your overseas work, a degree of culture shock is inevitable. Remind yourself that it is normal to feel unsettled in a foreign place. After a period of time most overseas volunteers acclimatise. Indeed, the cultural exchange is usually one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
Helping hand
Volunteer organisations vary in the degree to which they support volunteers on the ground. Some agencies take a hand-holding approach; others leave their volunteers to themselves. Find out exactly what kind of assistance you will be offered and, if possible, task to past volunteers who can share their experiences.
Below are just some of the organisations that facilitate volunteering overseas. Search further on the web to find more options.
Where to find volunteer organisations (both local and global)
Conservation volunteering
http://www.ecovolunteer.com/
Want to work with a specific species of animal? Look up the destinations that offer volunteer positions with animals ranging from rhinos and jaguars to beavers and whales.
http://www.greenforce.org/
‘Gapforce’ has a combination of projects, many of which have a hands-on approach to conservation and aiding local communities.
http://www.greenvolunteers.com/
A guide and information network to voluntary work in conservation
http://www.i-to-i.com.au/
Voluntary positions in teaching, media, community development, health, tourism, marketing, building, museums and conservation
Countries range from Peru, Uganda and Nepal to Honduras, Costa Rica and Kenya.
http://www.ida-africa.org/
Defence of animals in Africa
http://www.owh.com.au/volunteer.cfm
OWH has programs to suit everybody. These include giving something back to communities in need, gaining a different perspective of the world we share, pursuing valuable life experience for a career, or experiencing a country and it’s people in a unique way
http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/
Teach English abroad in places such as Africa, China, India and Mexico
Projects abroad - medical work to tourism and conservation
http://www.seaturtle.org/jobs/
Work specifically with sea turtles from all around the world
http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/
Help out locally with projects such as surveying wildlife, learning about invasive species or undertaking wetland and coastal conservation
Teaching and Community Projects
http://www.i-to-i.com.au/
Voluntary positions in teaching, media, community development, health, tourism, marketing, building, museums and conservation
Countries range from Peru, Uganda and Nepal to Honduras, Costa Rica and Kenya.
http://www.lattitude.org.au/
Teaching and community projects for Australians in a diverse range of countries including; Malawi, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Tanzania & Vietnam.
http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/
Teaching, conservation projects, medical projects, journalism and community development abroad in places such as Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal + more), South America, India and Mexico
http://www.campamerica.com.au/
Live at an American Summer camp, work with children as a mentor/teacher and explore the US outdoors. Different camps include: faith camps, private camps, girls scouts, special needs camps and camps for the disadvantaged
http://www.aupairamerica.com.au/
Have a 12-month placement with a US family as their live-in ‘nanny’
General Cultural volunteering
http://www.festiniogvolunteer.org.uk/discover
Volunteer on a world famous steam railway tourist attraction in North Wales, UK
http://www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org/node/19
Volunteer on a Kibbutz in Israel
http://www.campcounsellors.com/
Work, Travel and Play through the USA
Work Experience USA and Camp Counsellors
http://www.isvonline.com/
International Student Volunteers Inc creates volunteer opportunities that combine conservation, education, community development and recreation. It is all about giving back to the countries where you travel
Countries include Australia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Costa Rica
http://www.antipodeans.com.au/
Unibreak volunteer and professional volunteer programs in places such as Equador, Kenya, Ghana, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Tanzania and Vietnam
Stories from those in various countries volunteering can be found @ http://www.antipodeansabroad.blogspot.com/
Please share your stories and comments, but be aware that the comments section is designed to either just comment or to engage in peer discussion.
For any questions directed at the Careers Service staff, e-mail studentemployment@newcastle.edu.au (this is the careers service) or book an appointment with a careers advisor at CareerHub.
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