The CCCU requires a minimum number of credits to ensure that the students have a truly academic semester abroad - not just a vacation.
Please refer to our Contact us page.
Please refer to our Academics page.
No, Wesley Institute offers a variety of classes in theology and a few in counselling. Many students from diverse majors have attended the program to get their elective credits.
Semester 1 (Spring): Mid-February through mid-June
Semester 2 (Fall): Mid-July through mid-November
For specific dates and application deadlines, please refer to the online application for the specific semester to which you are applying.
We encourage this to a degree. The country is big and beautiful - nearly as big as the continental United States. There is a lot to see and do; however, students' freedom to travel will be a bit more restricted here than it would be at home because the ASC is more responsible for their well-being than their home university would be in an ordinary semester. Travel time will depend on class obligations, and students will be required to get travel approved for the weekends or breaks they intend to be away from the program base.
Most students find getting through the semester difficult enough without adding the additional time demands of a job. Finding a job is not guaranteed, and available jobs are often sporadic with infrequent work hours. However, students have worked while on the program and enjoyed the experience.
Students usually find that they do walk much more in Sydney than they would at home, but public transportation is the primary method of getting around the city. Each student will be provided with a travel pass for a portion of the program to allow access to public buses, trains and ferries during all hours of service. (Students are responsible for their local transportation passes the last few weeks of the program.)
Australia Studies Centre participants will book their own roundtrip travel between their homes and Sydney. Specifics regarding arrival and departure timeframes will be provided after program acceptance
Securing a passport and Australian student visa is the student's responsibility. It can take several months for Australia to process a visa application. Because of this, ASC requires that you provide a copy of your passport as part of the application. Once you are accepted to the ASC, you will receive information on how to apply for your Australian student visa. Student visas usually cost about $300-400, depending on the exchange rate.
ASC students will be assigned either to a homestay with an Australian family or to a student housing facility. We usually place two or more students in each homestay, all of which are in the greater Sydney area.
Program costs depend on each school's off-campus study policies. Please view our program fee page to find the detailed costs for the semester. Also visit the off-campus study director (or equivalent) at your school to discuss cost information. If you have questions, contact us at asc@bestsemester.com.
In the summer, Sydney reaches 110+ F with little or no rain; in the winter, it usually gets to between 55-60 F during the day. It can, however, get cold at night and most Australian classrooms and homes do not have internal heat, so it may feel colder than similar temperatures in the U.S. Since semesters span three seasons, students should plan for hot and cold extremes.
Go to www.cccu.org/members to see if your school is a member of the CCCU. When non-Council students are admitted, an additional $200 is charged for their participation.
The program gives priority for acceptance to qualified full-time juniors and seniors earning credit toward their degree from a Council member school. The ASC may, however, accept any exceptional student it believes can meet the rigorous demands of the program. Students from Council member and affiliate campuses are given priority above students from non-Council institutions (when space permits).
If an applicant is not a United States or Canadian citizen, they will likely not be able to use the automated visa application through the Australian government website. Since the online application greatly simplifies the process, it’s important to know for sure whether one may use it or not, and this depends on your country of citizenship. To find out, go to the Australian government website and locate your “Assessment Level” (see here).
Countries assigned to Assessment Level 1 (U.S., Canada, and a few others) may use an electronic application. Citizens of countries in Assessment Levels 2 and higher must file paper applications with the nearest Australian embassy or consulate. Each higher Assessment Level requires more documented evidence with the application. Paper applications, almost without exception, will require a full three months and perhaps more to complete. For this reason, if you are not in Assessment Level 1, we recommend that you apply at least one year in advance of the semester you wish to attend the ASC.
The purpose of an ASC semester is study and learning, not travel and tourism; ASC students will not be excused from classes or excursions to attend to guests. Instead, we recommend that students plan all personal travel with guests for after the semester concludes. That way, they will be free of their studies, and - because they will know the city and country much better by the end of the program - they will be much better tour guides.
If guests do come to visit, they must find their own places to stay at their own expense. Under no circumstances may people not directly affiliated with the program stay in program-sponsored housing.
You have to check with the airline to see if it is possible, and you are responsible for any associated costs. You will also be responsible for your own housing during your extended stay.
If you would like to extend your stay, we recommend that you do so after the semester, not before.
Yes. We will provide visa information after you are accepted into the ASC program.
Australian student visa (currently $600-700 AUS; subject to change)
Application fee: $50
Confirmation fee: $300
iNext Card: $30
Passport: Check with your local passport office
Students need their own insurance providers in order to travel overseas. The CCCU requires all students to have overseas medical coverage. Your current health insurance provider may already provide overseas coverage; if not, check out the following short-term insurance providers:
- HTH Worldwide Insurance Services
1(800) 242-4178 or 1(800) 394-2500 www.hthworldwide.com - Seabury & Smith, Gateway Plans
1(800) 331-3047 www.gatewayconnexions.com
Yes, private lessons are available. For 2009, a one-hour lesson per week (14 weeks) is $2000; a half-hour lesson per week (14 weeks) is $1000. Prices will change for 2010.
Because our teaching staff is so large and varied, you will not have a problem finding a teacher with the breadth of background and experience that will enhance your performance skills.
ATM is the cheapest and best way to access cash. Students should check with their local bank to see if they are bank partners with one in Australia.
No. However, there will be certain occasions where you will be required to dress up for a certain outing or speaker.
Yes, we encourage students to bring instruments. Students should check with the airline for specific requirements concerning instrument transport.
Yes. The airline luggage specifications should be available on their web site. Note that domestic and international flights usually have different weight limits.
Once accepted to the program be sure to read the specific ASC luggage requirements; they will be listed under the Life in Sydney heading of your Basic Information Guide (B.I.G.).
International Student Identification Cards (ISIC) provide a universally accepted form of identification for students and often provide access to student discounts at the Opera House, cafes, museums, etc. The ISIC also comes with basic insurance coverage, though it should not be the student's primary medical insurance.
See the "Your Grades" page.
You may need the supplies listed below depending on your area of concentration. Please note that these are estimates and exact costs will vary.
Photography
Bring a digital camera (any kind). Please note that all photography classes are completely digital. Students may spend anywhere from $75-250 on paper and developing their portfolios for this class.
Art/Drawing
Art supplies can be purchased at cost from Wesley Institute; however students may spend up to $30-90 on paper, charcoal, pastels, etc.
Graphic Design & Multi-media classes
In addition to regular textbooks, students need CD’s and mounting board for presentations.
Dance
Dance Wear
Dance students need to purchase one basic outfit so that there is costume uniformity when required, such as evaluations and some performances. Inappropriate dancewear will not be accepted and does affect technique assessment (20% of Professional Development).
Choir
Men: need a black suit, bow tie, and winged-collar white shirt
Women: need a black turtleneck and long black skirt or pants
Depending on the semester, the Wesley Institute Choir takes a tour within Australia. Provided an ASC student passes the audition and masters all of the music in time, he or she may be eligible to participate. However, the student must cover the cost of the tour which can vary anywhere between $25-300 depending on the location.
Theology
Students are required to purchase any textbooks which are assigned to a particular class.
Drama
Students are required to purchase any textbooks which are assigned to a particular class.
General
Students will use typical items such as pens, notebooks, paper, etc. Please note that paper and folders in Australia are A-4 size (not 8.5 x 11).
No, we do not require any special vaccinations for the ASC program.
Wesley Institute differs from a classical school of music in that students can focus on whatever strands they like, whether traditional classical, contemporary Christian, Jazz, etc. - all with either a choral or instrumental focus.
Having a unique mix of students who desire to focus on one style or another helps to inform each other, as opposed to having students who study one style only. For example, if you were to perform an aria from an opera as part of your Concert Practice, you would also have to sit and listen to a fellow student perform an electric guitar solo. Learning to listen outside your own area of expertise expands your overall musicianship and critical ear.
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Recent semesters have traveled to the 'Outback' to focus on land and environment, and engaged an Aboriginal community on the South Coast of New South Wales. All travel is subject to change, based upon safety considerations and course modifications.
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The ASC also arranges various day trips and local activities for students as part of their studies.
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Note about New Zealand: Cultural interaction and experiential learning are important components of BestSemester and the Australia Studies Centre (ASC). As often as possible, ASC takes students out of the classroom into the teaching space that is the city of Sydney and around Australia. In the process of setting program costs for the 2012-13 academic year, and with the intent to keep instructional and program fees from becoming prohibitive to student participation, BestSemester has made the decision beginning with the fall 2012 semester not to conclude the program with the seven-day, out of country trip to New Zealand. While program travel is always subject to change we want to notify students and partner campuses of this schedule adjustment, since New Zealand has been a standard offering of ASC. Travel has been, and will continue to be, an essential element of ASC's robust (15-week-long) semester. ASC program study travel for 2012-13 may include trips to Canberra (the capital), NSW mining centres, the NSW South Coast, and approximately one week in the Outback.
