Housing:

Southern Cross University accommodates all study abroad students in on-campus residential accommodation or in off-campus housing allocated for international students close to the college campus. All housing is within walking distance of the campus.

The accommodation is in 5-6 bedroom apartments with each student having a single bedroom and sharing kitchen, living and bathroom areas with their flat mates. Students are required to cook their own meals and no meal plans are available.

If you prefer to live off-campus in apartments or with Australian families you will be assisted to make suitable arrangements. However, you should note that it is sometimes difficult to arrange for short-term off-campus accommodation for students only staying for one semester.

Orientation:

Participants in Brockport's direct enrollment programs in Australia receive two independent (but closely related orientations:

  • The Brockport Orientation conducted by its Resident Director and
  • The host campus's Orientation for International Students.

    The Brockport Orientation is specifically focused on the needs and requirements of students enrolled in Brockport's study abroad programs in Australia; the host campus's international students orientation is a more general orientation to study and life at that university. It is aimed at all of the study abroad students, the exchange students and the matriculated international students who are beginning study at that university during that semester. While these two orientations serve different functions both are a compulsory part of each semester's program and attendance at both orientations is mandatory for all participants beginning their study in Australia.

    The Brockport Orientation:

    Upon their arrival in Sydney, participants in the Brockport Southern Cross University program will be met by Brockport's Resident Director and will spend several days in Sydney prior to the start of the university's international student orientation overcoming jetlag, exploring Sydney, becoming familiar with life in Australia-academic and otherwise-and generally enjoying themselves prior to the start of the semester. This orientation includes a program of field trips, activities and social events that are designed to provide participants with an opportunity to acclimatize socialize and prepare themselves to make the most of the semester ahead. The cost of orientation activities, events, housing (and some meals) during the Brockport Orientation orientation is included in the program fees.

    During the Brockport Orientation, participants will be housed in temporary housing. At its conclusion, participants in the Brockport Southern Cross University Program will travel to Lismore to take up residence at Southern Cross University in which they will live during the semester.

    The Southern Cross University International Students Orientation:

    An orientation program specifically designed for study abroad and exchange students is conducted during the week prior to the commencement of classes in both semesters. Issued covered including settling in to life in Lismore, culture shock, accommodation, health insurance, clubs and societies, email access, study skills, weekend trips, and social events.

    These orientation programs are usually held two weeks before the start of the semester in March and one week before the start of the semester in July.

    During their semester of participation, each student studying abroad at SCU receives a free, week-long wilderness trip. The trips can vary from semester to semester but have been to places such as, Fraser Island, Central Australia, an Aboriginal Camp, or a Surf Safari. More information on SCU's wilderness trips can be found at:http://studyabroad.scu.edu.au/index.php?page_id=5&menu=4_11.